Clifden RNLI assist sailor in difficulty in Ballinakill Bay
Clifden RNLI’s volunteer crew launched both lifeboats yesterday (Tuesday 27th May) to reports of a yacht in difficulty in Ballinakill Bay, near Letterfrack.
The Atlantic 85 in-shore lifeboat launched shortly after 10.00am under the command of Owen Hayes with crew members Chris Nee and David O Reilly, followed closely by the Shannon Class, all-weather lifeboat (ALB), St Christopher. John Mullen was Coxswain of the ALB with crew members Joe Acton, James Mullen, Thomas Guy, and Shane Conneely.
The yacht had one sailor on board and was unable to make headway in the bay near Letterfrack because the vessel had become entangled in fishing gear. Our volunteer lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow and proceeded to assist the sailor in getting free from the entangled lines. Once the sailor was back under his own propulsion, the lifeboat crew stayed alongside and escorted the yachtsman back to safety in Ballinakill Bay
John Mullen, Clifden RNLI Coxswain said, 'The yachtsmen in question did the right thing in calling for assistance and we were happy to be able to bring them to safety. It’s very important to be prepared when boating or yachting; always wear a life jacket, have a means of calling for help and check the weather and the tides to help ensure you get to your destination safely. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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