Bundoran RNLI and Coast Guard helicopter rescue boat, two crew off coast of Mullaghmore



Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat helped rescue a vessel in trouble and two crew off the coast of Mullaghmore.

The Coast Guard helicopter from Strandhill was also involved in the effort.

The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch yesterday afternoon after reports of a vessel having washed up on rocks off Mullaghmore Head.

The alarm was raised by Malin Head Coast Guard at 4:16pm after getting a call from a member of the public who had been told of the boat in trouble by a number of passers-by in the Mullaghmore area.

The Bundoran based RNLI lifeboat “William Henry Liddington” was launched within six minutes and made its way to Mullaghmore with four volunteer crew on board.

Sea swell was 1.5 metres with a force-five westerly wind blowing.

Shore crew were also deployed to assist at the scene.

On reaching the scene at Mullaghmore Head, the crew spotted the 3-metre vessel, which had engine failure, on the shoreline with two crewmembers standing alongside.

The Sligo based Irish Coast Guard Rescue helicopter 118 had also arrived.

As the area was inaccessible by land, the decision was taken to get the two crew off by towing their boat to safety.

An RNLI crew member was put ashore to assist the helicopter winchman with the casualties.

A line was subsequently passed and the boat and the crew of the boat were towed to safety off the rocks.

The two men and their boat were brought to Mullaghmore.

Speaking following the callout, helm Brian Gillespie thanked the member of the public who made the initial 999 call.

He also reminded those going to sea of the importance of bringing a means of calling for help if the need arises – he said they should bring a mobile phone but ideally a VHF radio.



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