Sligo Bay RNLI rescues eight people after boat capsizes off Aughris Pier

The vessel had capsized with all eight people onboard. Volunteer lifeboat crew with Sligo Bay RNLI had just launched on exercise when they were diverted to the incident and arrived on scene at 11.43am.m The lifeboat crew rescued all eight people from the water and one man was airlifted to hospital by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118.

The remaining seven men were taken to Aughris Pier where one person was taken by ambulance to hospital. Following the rescue the lifeboat crew returned to the scene to tow the vessel back to the pier.

Commenting on the callout Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Willie Murphy said, ‘In what has been a difficult week with the loss of Rescue 116 and the ongoing search for her crew, this morning’s callout shows that the professionalism and dedication of the search and rescue community remains unchanged.’

‘The RNLI crew at Sligo Bay along with their colleagues at Rescue 118 were on scene minutes after the call for help was raised and rescued eight people from the water. Our thoughts are with the man who was airlifted to hospital and with our colleague still searching in Blacksod Bay for the three missing crewmember of Rescue 116.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Aisling Gillen Sligo RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 086 381 8114 email: [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.