Busy Weekend for Clifden RNLI with two launches back to back.

The lifeboat crew were first tasked by the Coast Guard at 10am yesterday, Saturday 18th July, to reports of swimmers in difficulty near Mannin Bay. Both of Clifden's lifeboats were put to sea immediately with James Mullen as Coxswain on the all weather lifeboat, St Christopher and David O Reilly, Brian Ward, Neill Gallery, Darragh Wallace and Chris Nee as crew. Clifden's Atlantic 85 lifeboat was helmed by Dave Barry with Shane Conneely, Ronan Mullen and Sean Pryce as crew.

Once at the scene, a short distance from Ballyconneely, the crew quickly located the swimmers. They were in good form and able to make their way back to shore unaided.

Not long after returning to base the pagers went again, this time a family on a small pleasure craft were in difficulty near Turbot island.

The volunteer crew assembled for the second time, John Mullen was Coxswain on the all weather lifeboat with David O Reilly, Alan Pryce, Caroline Barry and Darragh Wallace on board.

James Mullen was helm on Clifden's Atlantic 85 with his son Ronan Mullen, Brian Ward and Shane Conneely as crew. Notably, it was the first shout for this father and son since Ronan joined Clifden RNLI as a 19 year old earlier this year.

The crew quickly made their way to the boat's location, near the small island of Turbot in Clifden Bay. In all, seven people were in danger because their boat was drifting towards the rocky shoreline of the island.

When the lifeboat crew arrived on scene the wind had blown the casualty vessel off the rocks and the family were able to get their engine restarted. The crew checked for any sign of structural damage or water ingress.

The casualties included two parents and five children who were very relieved to have assistance from the RNLI. The casualty vessel was escorted back to their mooring in Clifden Bay. Five children from the casualty vessel were transferred to Clifden's Atlantic 85 lifeboat and brought ashore while the parents came ashore on their small tender escorted by the Clifden's all weather lifeboat crew.

James Mullen, Clifden RNLI Coxswain said; 'Thankfully we had very good outcomes yesterday and I'd like to thank our brilliant crew who worked really well together to bring that family of seven people to safety.

'Clifden RNLI is ready to respond 24/7 to anyone who is in distress in or around the water. Please don't delay in looking for help, you could save a life by calling 999/112 at the first sign of trouble. Please be safe and enjoy our beautiful Connemara coast.'

Ends

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Mella Walsh, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.