Aran Islands RNLI comes to aid of sailor on yacht in difficulty off Straw Island

The all-weather Severn class lifeboat MARGARET JOAN AND FRED NYE #17-46 launched under Coxswain Tommy Dirrane and a full crew.

Weather conditions were good with calm seas and a fresh west to west southerly wind.

Once along side the yacht the lifeboat crew established a tow line and headed for Kilronan Harbour.

As the lifeboat reached the safety of the harbour an alongside tow was established to bring the yacht safely to its mooring on a pontoon.

Speaking after the call out Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Tommy Dirrane said: ‘Thankfully a good result, a call out to a yacht in difficulty can throw up multiple challenges, today we reached the yacht quickly and were able to bring it to shore safely. For anyone planning a trip to sea, always wear a lifejacket, always carry means of communication and let someone ashore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard ‘

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Lena O’Connell, Aran Islands RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on (089337882) or ([email protected]) or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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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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