Achill Island RNLI assist 3 surfers in difficulty on St Brigid’s Bank Holiday
Achill Island RNLI were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to come to the assistance of three surfers in difficulty off Carrownisky, southwest of Louisburgh, shortly before 2pm this afternoon (Bank Holiday Monday), 2 February.
The call for help was made by a concerned member of the public who was observing from the shore. The new Sligo-based AW189 Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was also requested to assist, as well as Irish Coast Guard, Westport.
The ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ made haste to the scene in a southerly direction, passing Clare Island to the west, with a crew of 6 on board. There were Force 6 easterly winds gusting up to Force 8 at the time, with 2-3 meter westerly swells.
On arrival at the scene, the lifeboat crew observed that two of the surfers had already made it safely to shore. The crew of Rescue 118 winched the other surfer to safety and the lifeboat crew were requested to recover a surfboard which remained in the water. The drifting surfboard was soon located and returned to the Irish Coast Guard, Westport, at Roonagh Pier. The lifeboat then made its return to Achill Island, happy in the knowledge that all surfers were safe and accounted for.
Speaking after the call out, Achill Island RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Eilish Power, said: “Today’s call out had a happy and successful ending, thanks to the quick thinking of a member of the public making a call for help. The surfers did the right thing in planning their activity and going out on the water as a group, and it is important to remember that sometimes, despite the best made plans, conditions can change resulting in someone needing help.” Eilish continued: “Our volunteer crew train with other agencies regularly which makes everyone’s task much easier, and we were delighted to assist our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard with the rescue this Bank Holiday afternoon.” She concluded: “We remind people to never hesitate to make that call for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
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RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Eilish Power, Achill Island RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872075203, email [email protected], or 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].
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.