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Large marker buoy found adrift by Clifden RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched on Monday night (30 July) just after midnight to reports of a flashing light spotted off the Connemara coast, north west of the Aughris peninsula.

RNLI/Clifden

The bright flashing lights had been seen from the shore and the Cleggan Coast Guard requested the RNLI to launch to investigate. It was a low tide at the time of launch with a force 5/6 wind blowing.

On arrival at the scene the RNLI crew saw that it was a cardinal marker buoy navigational aid that had become detached from its original location and was now adrift.

Once they informed the Coast Guard, the volunteer crew of Coxswain John Mullen, David O’Reilly, Ian Shanahan, Robert King, Thomas Davis and Owen Hayes returned to Clifden at approximately 3am.

Speaking following the call out, Clifden RNLI lifeboat navigator Owen Hayes said: ‘This was a large south west cardinal marker and once we determined the cause of the lights seen from shore we informed the Coast Guard, who then recorded it as a navigational hazard for other sea going vessels.’

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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.

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