The crew of the Árainn Mhór RNLI lifeboat brought a fishing vessel with five people on board to safety overnight after a 26 hour-long rescue mission.
The lifeboat crew launched at 10.50pm on Sunday night to go to the aid of the boat which was in difficulty almost 80km north of the Donegal island.
The RNLI said that the operation was carried out in challenging conditions, with swells of up to five and half metres and winds of up to 60km/h.
"A decision was taken when on scene that the safest option would be to establish a tow to bring the fishing vessel to a suitable safe port. A tow had already been attempted with another vessel in the area but it was unsuccessful with the ropes breaking.
"With the casualty vessel and lifeboat both pitching in the huge waves, a lifeboat crew member successfully threw a rope onto the deck of the fishing vessel and a line was established."
Árainn Mhór RNLI took the vessel back to Rathmullen pier in Co Donegal, at a speed of up to three knots.
"After a long journey in difficult conditions the lifeboat crew were met in Rathmullen by their colleagues from Lough Swilly RNLI, who provided them with warm food before they embarked on the final leg of their journey home."
Coxswain of the crew Jimmy Early said: "Seven lifeboat crew left their homes on the Sunday evening and didn't return home until the early hours of Tuesday morning. Behind them all are loved ones and employers who let us do this work and to whom we are very grateful.
"The conditions were not ideal for such a long shout, particularly establishing a tow miles out to sea in darkness and where the vessels were pitching up and down at different times. One of our lifeboat crew had to throw a line across to the casualty vessel and did so on the first attempt.
"I am extremely grateful to the lifeboat crew who come out in all weathers, whatever the call is and who give their time and expertise to bring loved ones home. Thankfully for such a long time at sea, it ended successfully."
