Volunteers from the Clifden RNLI lifeboat station rescued two people whose boat was drifting onto the rocks.
The inshore lifeboat, the Celia Marie, at the Clifden RNLI station was called out at 4pm on Friday to reports of a rigid inflatable boat drifting and in danger in Ballinakill Bay between Letterfrack and Renvyle.
The Celia Mary was first on the scene and found two people on a 5.5 metre RIB which had experienced engine failure and it was very close to the rocky shore.
Weather conditions at that time were wind force 6, and getting worse.
Helm Thomas Davis boarded the boat and after consulting with the people on board, the boat was taken back to shore under tow by volunteer crew members Kenny Flaherty, Ashling Sweeney and Owen Hayes and the pair were dropped safely back to shore.
After the launch, Thomas said ‘We were glad to be able to help these people recover their boat today.”
“We also wish to remind all water users in Connemara to contact the Coast Guard or emergency services at the earliest opportunity when things go wrong-we would always rather launch and be stood down than risk other possible outcomes’.
photo credit: Thomas O’Sullivan
