Achill Island RNLI launch to assist man in need of help at Annagh Beach
Achill Island RNLI were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to come to the assistance of a man initially reported to be in difficulty at Annagh Beach shortly after 3.30pm this afternoon (Saturday) 23 August.
Annagh Beach, on the north side of Achill Island, is inaccessible by road, and as a result, the Achill Coast Guard unit and Sligo-based helicopter, Rescue 118, were also requested to attend.
The ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ quickly launched with a crew of 7 on board. The lifeboat slipped her moorings about 2 hours before high water with southerly winds at the time. The passage took the volunteer crew past Keel Beach and Keem Bay and around Achill Head on the western tip of Achill Island, before continuing to Annagh Beach on the north of the island. Rescue 118, the local Coast Guard unit and the Achill all-weather lifeboat all arrived on scene within minutes of each other.
The casualty was with his wife and two friends on the beach when he became unwell. A local doctor happened to be nearby and kindly offered assistance to the man. The services on scene consulted with each other and a decision was reached for the local Coast Guard unit to transfer the man, his wife and 2 friends, to the lifeboat which was standing by approximately 50 yards from the beach. Once safely on board the lifeboat the man was reassessed by the volunteer crew and casualty care was administered.
On leaving the shelter of the bay, the lifeboat encountered 1 meter swells on her starboard beam on rounding the tip of the island. This meant that the crew had to adjust the speed of the lifeboat for the comfort of their casualty and passengers on board, making the return journey (approximately a 50 mile round trip) somewhat longer than the outward journey.
Meanwhile, the National Ambulance Service was requested to meet the Achill lifeboat at Cé Bheag pier, close to Achill Island RNLI Lifeboat Station. Shore crew from the station were present to ensure that the pier was clear for the lifeboat to come alongside at approximately 6.30pm. The man was then carefully transferred to the care of the waiting ambulance crew for further assessment and onward transfer to hospital.
Speaking after the call out, Achill Island RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Eilish Power, said: “This is yet another example of a professionally coordinated multi-agency plan coming together for this man, whose day ended very differently to how he had planned it. We wish him a speedy recovery after his frightening ordeal. Thankfully, the right decision was made to call for help immediately so that all the necessary resources could provide the assistance he required. We thank everyone involved for their help.” Eilish continued: “This is the third multi-agency call out in a week involving our volunteer crew. We train together regularly for incidents such as these, which makes everyone’s task much easier. We remind people to never hesitate to make that call for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
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RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Eilish Power, Achill Island RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872075203, email [email protected], or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Treasa Ni Bhraonain, RNLI Communications Placement on 0874764436 or [email protected].
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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