Distress flare sighting prompts wide scale sea search operation off Mayo coastline
The volunteer crews of Clifden and Achill RNLI joined with the Cleggan Coast Guard and Rescue Helicopter 118 in a wide scale search operation late last night.
The call-out came at 10.30 p.m. when members of the public reported seeing a distress flare launched in an area of water between Renvyle and Clare Island.
Over a number of hours, RNLI volunteer crew on three lifeboats and Coast Guard colleagues carried out a comprehensive search of a large area of sea.
With no sightings or further reports of anyone in distress all assets were stood down around 1.15 a.m. and prepared to return to station.
Clifden’s Atlantic 85 did not return to base however because the crew were re-tasked to additional call at Killary Harbour.
Two hikers had descended Mweelrea Mountain, were stranded on the rocky shore and couldn’t find their boat in the darkness.
Clifden’s inshore lifeboat crew were able to locate the hikers, once assured they were uninjured and in good spirits they transported the casualties back to shore at the south side of Killary Harbour.
The casualties were very grateful for the assistance of the lifeboat crew as they had been stuck for hours on the rocks in the darkness and they were in a very dangerous predicament.
Fergal Conneely, Clifden RNLI Launch Authority, said: “I say a huge thanks to our volunteers for a long night, it was 3.30 a.m. when some of crew were going home for a few hours sleep and then into work today.
"It can be a big sacrifice being an RNLI volunteer but it is one we accept willingly and with pride. If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, please always call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. We are ready to respond 24/7 to help save lives at sea."
During this operation Clifden’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat was helmed by David Barry with his daughter Caroline Barry, Ronan Mullen and Sean Pryce as crew. Alan Pryce was Coxswain on Clifden’s all weather lifeboat with crew Joe Acton, David O’Reilly, Tom Guy, Shane Conneely and Alan Kearney as crew. 7
On Achill’s all weather lifeboat Patrick McNamara was Coxswain, with Declan Corrigan, Terry Hogarth, Stephen Mc Greal, Thomas Ruddy, Kevin Cattigan and Shane Guthrie as crew.
Not long after resetting from a busy night saving lives at sea, the Clifden crew were out again, tasked this morning at 11 a.m. to assist a broken down vessel east of Carraig na Rón.
James Mullen helmed Clifden’s inshore lifeboat with crew Sean Pryce, Dara Wallace and Shane Conneely as crew.
After an assessment was carried out and due to the vessel causing a navigational hazard, a decision was taken to tow the boat to safety in Clifden Bay.