The issue came in the form of debris wrapped around the propeller of the 18-metre-long fishing boat. The request for help came in at 1.20pm

A volunteer crew came aboard a rescue lifeboat, the Douglas Aikman Smith, from Ballycotton RNLI to the fishermen’s rescue.

Even with poor visibility and strong winds, RNLI crew located the vessel and secured a tow line to carry the boat back to calmer waters at Ballycotton, finally making their return at 7.45pm.

Commenting on the call out Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain Trevor Devereux said: "Thankfully all six fishermen were wearing lifejackets and had called for help as soon as they encountered difficulties.

"We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea that if you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard."