Union Hall RNLI come to the aid of three people after raft gets into difficulty

The inshore lifeboat was requested at 9.50am by Valentia Coast Guard to assess the situation at the small sound, an area between Rabbit Island and the mainland in Union Hall, West Cork.

The lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding, helmed by Sean Walsh and with crew members Ríona Casey and Lily Riddle onboard, immediately diverted. When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew found two casualties in the water trying to assist the raft across the channel. The raft had become caught in weather conditions, with northwest winds at 4-5 knots.

The crew took the casualties and raft aboard and took them the short distance back ashore at 10.10am, and then returned to the station. The volunteer lifeboat crew were supported ashore by Head Launcher, John Kelleher and shore crew Raymond Limrick and Deirdre Forristal.

Following the call out, John Kelleher, Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘We would like to commend the three people for all wearing lifejackets, and all having a means of communication, and we wish them well.

'Today was the first shout for two of our volunteers and we congratulate Lily Riddle and Deirdre Fortistal. Lily is a crew member and Deirdre has recently joined as shore crew. Always remember If you see someone in trouble on or near the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:

• Phone 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard to get help.
• Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
• Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Pamela Deasy, Union Hall RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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 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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