Crews from the Aran Islands and Galway RNLI stations showed the spirit of cooperation in a joint training exercise on Galway Bay last weekend.
The training was an opportunity for the crews from the two flanking stations to work together on a number of boat handling and seamanship exercises to prepare for future joint search and rescue missions.
Brian Niland, helm with Galway RNLI, who led the exercise for the Galway crew said that they were delighted to welcome the Aran Islands crew to the city for a training exercise off Salthill.
“It was impressive to see the larger Aran Islands lifeboat and see how the two lifeboats can work side by side. The training was a great learning experience for both crews and will help us when we are requested to launch together, to help those in danger in the water.”
“Our volunteer lifeboat crews spend many hours training so we can meet the dangers and challenges we face at sea.”
Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin said, “Saturday’s training exercise was a good chance to meet the Galway crew and show what the lifeboat from each station is capable of.”
“The type of lifeboat a station has depends on geographical features, the kind of rescues the station is involved in and the cover provided by neighbouring lifeboat stations,” he added.
The Aran Islands Lifeboat station makes use of the Severn class all-weather lifeboat, as they frequently face rough seas and weather conditions coming in from the oceans.
In contrast, Galway Station uses the Atlantic class rib lifeboat, the fastest boat in the Irish RNLI fleet.
This is ideal for rescues by the shore or rocks, where larger boats may not reach, and when time is of the essence with a person in the water.
“Working together we are able to carry out search and rescue throughout Galway Bay,” Aonghus Ó hIarnáin said.
“24 hours a day, 7 days a week, RNLI lifeboat crews are ready to answer the call to rescue. If you see someone in trouble at the coast call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
