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Clifden RNLI investigate suspicious object adrift in Clifden Bay

Lifeboats News Release

Clifden's volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 lifeboat last night (Tuesday 9th September) after a member of the public reported seeing a reflective object drifting in the darkness in Clifden Bay.

RNLI/Nigel Millard

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The pagers sounded just after 9pm and the lifeboat launched shortly afterwards. Clifden's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was helmed by Chris Nee, with crew members Shane Conneely, Dara Wallace and Sean Pryce. The crew carried out a thorough search of the Bay area and identified the object; a large buoy from a fish farm which was adrift.

Speaking about the shout, Clifden RNLI Helm Chris Nee said; ''I'm very grateful to the member of the public who called this in, while it turned out to be a false alarm with good intent the object had all the appearances of a partially submerged vessel. We would much rather respond to a false alarm than not be called when a life is at stake. So please never hesitate to dial 999/112 and ask for the Coast Guard if someone is in difficulty in the water.'

ENDS

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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 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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About the author

Mella Walsh
Lifeboat Press Officer, Clifden Lifeboat Station

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