Fethard RNLI rescues two people as volunteers respond three times in three days

The first call came on Friday (11 September) at 3.15pm, when the inshore lifeboat crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a person suffering a medical emergency aboard a vessel travelling to Slade Harbour.

The crew made their way by road to launch the lifeboat at Slade Harbour. However, on arrival, they found the casualty was already ashore and receiving assistance from the local Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard unit. The lifeboat crew remained on scene until the ambulance arrived before returning to station.

The following evening (Saturday 12 September), the lifeboat Naomh Dubhán was requested to launch at 6.52pm following reports that two people had become cut off by the tide on rocks north of Sandeel Bay.

The crew launched the D class inshore lifeboat at Slade Harbour and made their way to the reported location. Visibility was poor due to fog, with a Force 5 wind and a high tide. The casualties were located on rocks at 7.22pm.

With waves breaking over the rocks as a result of the wind and high tide, the crew carefully assessed the situation and decided the safest option was to veer down by deploying the anchor and manoeuvring the lifeboat back towards the casualties. Both casualties were safely recovered onto the inshore lifeboat and brought back to Slade Harbour, where they were met by members of Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard unit.

The lifeboat crew were requested for a third time yesterday (Sunday 13 September) at 2.51pm, following reports of divers unaccounted for at Slade Rock.

Weather conditions were overcast, with poor visibility due to fog and a Force 4 wind. As the crew launched from Slade Harbour, they were informed by the Coast Guard that the divers had been located safe and well and that no further assistance was required.

Speaking on the weekend’s call outs, Domini Codd, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fethard RNLI said: ‘This was a busy weekend, but it shows the selfless and dedicated nature of our volunteers who are always ready to answer the call for help.

‘We would like to commend all those who called for help this weekend. It highlights the importance of always having a suitable means of calling for help when visiting the coast.

If you get into difficulty or see somebody else that may be in difficulty on or near the water, use Marine VHF channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

Notes to Editor

The attached stock photograph shows Fethard RNLI at sea in foggy conditions.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Nadia Blanchfield, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fethard RNLI, [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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