Clifden RNLI rescued three fishermen from a rocky shoreline this week after their small boat experienced mechanical failure at the mouth of Killary Harbour.
Whilst preparing to launch on a training exercise on their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the crew were tasked to assist a small angling vessel which was drifting towards the rocks.
The Atlantic 85 was immediately dispatched under the helm of Alan Pryce, with crew of Chris Nee, Shane Conneely and Connor O Malley.
Updated information was received while en route, with the casualty vessel drifting onto the rocks and immediate assistance was required.
Clifden’s Shannon class ALB was also tasked to provide additional cover with John Mullen as Coxswain and crew members Joe Acton, Dan Whelan, James Mullen and Brian Ward.
They were assisted by John Heffernan and Neil Gallery on the shore. Shannon based helicopter Rescue 115 also made its way to the scene.
The crew arrived at the location to find the fishing boat on the rocks and the three fishermen had climbed onto the rocky shoreline.
The situation was precarious and the weather conditions were poor, but the volunteer crew managed to extract the three casualties and put the stricken vessel under tow.
The casualties were cold and wet but in otherwise good form. They were brought, along with their boat, to Rossroe pier to safety.
Speaking about the shout, Clifden RNLI Helm Alan Pryce commended the crew on a well-executed rescue in very tricky conditions.
“The crew and the lifeboat performed incredibly well and the top cover of R115 and Clifden ALB ensured a swift response and successful outcome. The volunteer crew at our station are on call 24/7,” he said.
“If you get into difficulty, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
