A crew member with the Galway RNLI had a memorable last week on the job after four people got stranded on Hare Island.
Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard shortly before 4pm on Friday.
The request to launch came following a call by a member of the public reporting four people on Hare Island cut off by the tide.
The lifeboat crew who responded to the call were David Badger, Olivia Byrne, Dave McGrath and James Corballis, on his last call out with Galway RNLI before leaving salt water behind for the fresh lake water of Lough Derg.
The crew launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat within 10 minutes and made their way from the lifeboat station to Hare Island where they carried out a full search of the island, without finding the four people reported stranded.
The crew then received confirmation from the Coast Guard that the people had made it back safely which involved swimming the last stretch to the shore.
David Badger who was Helm on the lifeboat said, “In the event that you find yourself cut off by an incoming tide on Hare Island or any other coastal walk, our advice is to stay put and stay high and dry and not to attempt to make it to shore.”
“Call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard. Conditions today were good with flat calm water and good visibility, but things can change very quickly by the water.”
“If you are heading out on the water or planning a walk by the sea, always take a means to call for help and check the tides before you set off. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.”
“There was a good outcome today and that is the main thing. And it was a fine afternoon for the last shout for our crew mate James who is leaving Galway RNLI and moving inland to join the Lough Derg RNLI crew.”
“Hopefully his lasting memory of Galway will be in the warm sunshine to make up for the years of cold, rainy days and nights at sea.”
