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Sligo Bay RNLI brings eight people to safety in separate call outs over weekend

Lifeboats News Release

On World Drowning Prevention Day, (Friday 25 July) Sligo Bay RNLI was requested at 6.31pm to two swimmers in difficulty off Deadman's Point in Rosses Point.

Sligo Bay RNLI's inshore lifeboat

RNLI/Sligo Bay

Sligo Bay RNLI's inshore lifeboat
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The lifeboat, the Sheila & Dennis Tongue launched at 6.38pm with four volunteer crew members onboard.

The two casualties had got caught in a rip current which brought them around Deadman's Point. They managed to swim ashore unaided to the slipway at Sligo Yacht Club. A member of the lifeboat crew spoke to both swimmers and it was confirmed that no medical assistance was required.

On Saturday evening (26 July), the Irish Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to launch at 7.10pm to a boat that had sustained engine failure.
The lifeboat crew launched the Sheila & Dennis Tongue at 7.17pm and were on scene very quickly.

The crew noted all six people onboard were safe and wearing lifejackets. The boat had experienced engine failure and was drifting up towards Sligo Town with the incoming tide.

Once on scene the lifeboat crew carried out an assessment and decided the safest option was to set up an alongside tow and bring the boat back to the pier beside the lifeboat station at Rosses Point.

Speaking after the weekend call outs, Dermot Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'A lot of people onshore were calling the lifeboat station to report the incident on Friday evening and we thank them for their diligence. However, as our lifeboat station is not manned, we would remind people to call 999 or 112 first and ask for the Coast Guard. This is really important as every second can count in a rescue situation. Thankfully, in this situation, the swimmers managed to make it to shore unaided.

'Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface. The best way to avoid rips is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be spotted more easily, should something go wrong.

If you do find yourself caught in a rip don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help.'

Ends

RNLI Media Contact
For more information, please contact Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected]


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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Aisling Gillen
Lifeboat Press Officer, Sligo Lifeboat Station

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