The £2 million (€2.67 million) Portrush lifeboat, which has been stuck fast on rocks off Rathlin Island, has finally been pulled free in a three-hour salvage operation.
The vessel, Katie Hannan, had been on the rocks for the previous 18 days having been forced into danger in heavy seas as it helped in the rescue of three people.
Yesterday's rescue attempt followed the stripping of the lifeboat of its engines and other heavy onboard equipment.
Fuel had also been drained from its tanks following the discovery of severe damage to the vessel's hull.
Buoyancy aids were also placed inside the hull to help lift the craft off the rocks in the rising tide. Amid quiet Atlantic conditions, a tug finally pulled the stricken vessel clear and steered it towards a special salvage barge that had been brought over from Liverpool.
The rescue attempt was assisted by the replacement Portrush lifeboat.
The barge is to take the Katie Hannanto a specialist yard in Plymouth where it will be assessed. It is not known if the craft can be repaired and returned to service off the north coast.
The RNLI, which organises lifeboat cover off all Irish coasts, is holding its own investigation into the incident.