A trawler and three crew at the centre of an intensive search off the west coast arrived at Rossaveal Harbour, Co Galway today.
The crew told the Coast Guard the vessel had developed a problem with its fuel system, and had drifted without power for 24 hours.
They said they managed to restart the engine shortly before the boat was found by rescue services yesterday.
Family members of the crew - skipper John Ted Doherty, Aiden Murphy, and Paidraig Ganley - were on the quayside at Rossaveal to meet them when they tied up at around 5am this morning.
The families said they were delighted at their return and had been very concerned for their safety.
A spokesman for the Irish Coast Guard, Gearoid Walsh-Costello, said luck had been on the side of the fishermen.
