Mayday on ‘Mayday’ as RNLI crews carry out rescue in Co Clare

Volunteers were requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard at approximately 8:30pm to investigate a report from a member of the public of a RIB in difficulty approximately 1km off the coast of Fanore Beach Co. Clare.

Weather conditions at the time were good, with a South Easterly Force 2 wind and a half metre swell.

The Aran Islands RNLI located the RIB at 9:15pm off the coast of Fanore. The crew observed that while the casualty was safe and well, they showed signs of exhaustion and exposure therefore was transferred onboard the All-weather lifeboat and given water and blankets to heat up.

The vessel was drifting into the main channel, creating a potential navigational hazard, so it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow.

Once the Aran Islands All- weather lifeboat arrived into Ballyvaughan Bay, the RIB and casualty were handed over to the Galway inshore lifeboat to tow the vessel into Ballyvaughan Pier. Once the vessel and casualty were safely ashore both, Galway and Aran islands crews returned to base.

Speaking following the call out, Aran Islands Coxswain Ó hIarnáin said: ‘The member of the public did the right thing in raising the alarm as darkness was beginning to set in. We strongly advise boat owners to carry out essential pre‑launch checks, including the condition of the hull, engine, fuel system, steering, batteries, and onboard safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and communication devices.’

Yesterday’s rescue coincided with the start of the RNLI’s Mayday Mile appeal, where members of the public are asked to raise funds by completing a mile a day in May and help RNLI volunteers save lives this summer.

Peter Navan, who was on call as Launch Authority for the Galway Lifeboat Station for the first time this week said: ‘The Galway volunteer crew launched the lifeboat at 9.55pm and made way to Ballyvaughan arriving around 25 minutes later. Last night’s shout was a first for our new crew member, Leo Branagan, who recently transferred from Skerries RNLI and an opportunity to see how the flanking lifeboat stations work together to provide 24/7 search and rescue service on Galway Bay.’

He added: As a charity, this is only possible through the generous support from our community. This May we’re asking people to step up and support us through the Mayday Mile so we can keep saving lives when it matters most.’

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday

Ends

Notes to editors:

Aran Islands RNLI launched 55 times in 2025, coming to the aid of 48 people, one of whom was a life saved. 20 launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.

Since going on station on 27 March 1996 at 9pm, the volunteer crew at Galway RNLI Lifeboat Station have launched on rescues 816 times, coming to the aid of 498 people, of whom 74 were lives saved.