Clifden RNLI rescues fisherman after vessel gets into difficulty off Slyne Head

The weather conditions were challenging at the time, with a two metre swell and Force 6 wind blowing from the north west.

The casualty vessel had been en route from Baltimore to Blacksod and was adrift approximately six miles south west of Slyne Head.

The skipper requested some water to try and get his engine going again. The lifeboat crew assisted and this initially solved the problem with the engine starting allowing the fisherman to get underway. However, this didn't last long and the lifeboat crew proceeded to establish a towline.

At 3.30pm the vessel was put under tow and returned to Clifden Bay. The tow took just over two hours to complete.

Speaking following the call out, Coxswain John Mullen said: 'We dropped the skipper off on the visitor’s moorings in Clifden Bay with the assistance of the inshore D Class lifeboat. It was a good call out for the all-weather lifeboat in challenging conditions. We would like to wish the fisherman well and thank all the crew involved.'

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