The Galway RNLI lifeboat came to the aid of a boat in trouble with multiple people aboard off the coast of Clare in poor weather on Friday.
Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a 30 foot motorboat, with five people on board, in difficulty off Blackhead in County Clare late on Friday evening.
The lifeboat launched at around 8.30pm with crew members David Oliver, Dave Badger, James Rattigan and Ian Claxton on board and headed towards the location of the motorboat which was north east of Finvarra Point, off Ballyvaughan.
Conditions at sea were challenging, with squally wind, rain and poor visibility. The crew on board the Galway lifeboat reached the motorboat at around 9pm and escorted the boat – which was under her own power – and the five people on board back to Galway Harbour.
David Oliver, who was helm on board the lifeboat said, “Our volunteer shore crew were waiting at the harbour and helped to secure the motorboat when she arrived back.”
“We were very pleased to be able to assist the five people on board the motorboat and make sure they got safely back to dry land.”
“Incidents can happen at any time. It is important that you always carry a means of calling for help when you are at sea and if you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
“The Coast Guard will then contact us and our lifeboat crew will respond immediately,” David said.
