Sligo Bay RNLI responds to call out after member of the public raises alarm
Sligo Bay RNLI were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat last night (Sunday 6 April) at 9.27pm following the sighting of a dinghy off Raughly in Sligo Bay.
A member of the public raised the alarm with the Irish Coast Guard to report the sighing of a small dinghy with a sail which was spotted off the coast near Raughly an hour after sunset. The volunteer crew were aboard the Sheila & Dennis Tongue in less than nine minutes and on the way to the location given by the Coast Guard.
The person onboard the dinghy managed to make their way ashore unaided with the assistance of the car headlights from the member of the public showing them the way ashore. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to the station for refuelling and washdown of the boat and crew gear.
Speaking after the call out, Dermot Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘We would like to commend the member of the public for raising the alarm and for their vigilance in assisting the person in difficulty.
'With this beautiful weather we are experiencing at the moment it is important to remember if you are going on the water to always stay safe by carrying a means of communication, wearing a lifejacket or suitable flotation device, checking the weather forecast and always letting someone know of your expected time home. 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 Contact
For further information, contact Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat PRess Officer at [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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