Sligo Bay RNLI volunteers come to the aid of five swimmers off Deadmans Point

The lifeboat crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 4.51pm by Malin Head Coast Guard following reports that a swimmer was in difficulty off Deadmans Point.

The lifeboat helmed by David Bradley and with crew members Ross Palmer, Owen McLoughlin and Chiara Conway onboard, launched and was on scene within minutes. The casualty had got caught by the spring tides and as they been in the water for approximately 20 minutes, the crew while doing their routine casualty care checks decided as a precaution, to bring the swimmer onboard and back to the station for a medical assessment. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo was also tasked and landed close to the station where their paramedic proceeded to examine the swimmer who was found to be ok. The National Ambulance Service and Gardai also responded.

Just as the crew were washing down the lifeboat and making it ready for the next service, they received a further request from Malin Head Coast Guard to go to the aid of another swimmer in difficulty in the same place. The crew immediately launched the lifeboat again with Conor McShane replacing Owen on the crew, and on scene assisted two swimmers and brought them safely back to shore. Two more swimmers were assisted by a volunteer crew member who was out on his own boat fishing at the time.

All swimmers were found to be fine and didn’t require any medical treatment.

Chiara Conway and Ross Palmer, two of the crew aboard the lifeboat, the Sheila and Dennis Tongue, had just returned from the RNLI Lifeboat College having completed a training course in Crew Emergency Procedures.

Shore crew were Liz Leydon and Jan Canham.

Speaking after the call out, Dermot Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘At the moment there are extremely high tides, known as spring tides, coupled with the beautiful weather which is attracting a lot of swimmers to Deadmans Point. There is always a current just off the swimming area and the signage in place directs swimmers to the safe place to go. As the high tides and good weather is due to continue for the next few days, we could encourage people to please read and follow the advice on the signage to ensure one’s safety. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, don’t delay, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help to or swim to safety if you can.’

Ends

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For more information please contact Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected] or 086 3818114 or contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [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 142,700 lives.

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