Ballyglass RNLI involved in rescue of two people on capsized dinghy in Blacksod
Ballyglass RNLI was involved in the rescue of two people whose dinghy capsized in Blacksod Bay yesterday.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Malin Coast Guard at lunchtime yesterday (Monday 13 July).
A sailing dinghy with two people aboard had capsized near Blacksod lighthouse. The inshore lifeboat and landrover left the station immediately and reached its launch site at Blacksod with three volunteer crew ready for service.
Ballyglass RNLI’s inshore lifeboat arrived on scene within 30 minutes of receiving the call. The alarm had been raised by a person on the shore who immediately alerted the emergency services. A local fishing vessel had come to the aid of the sailors who had managed to re-right their boat. The fishing boat proceeded to tow the dinghy back to Blacksod pier. Ballyglass inshore boat escorted both vessels back to the pier where they were met by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit who attended to the two casualties, one of whom had mild hypothermia.
Pádraig Sheeran, Ballyglass Lifeboat Operations Manager, commended the local fishing vessel and the other emergency services involved saying: ‘The main aim of the RNLI is to save lives at sea and thanks to the commitment and vigilance of all those involved there was a positive outcome for the sailors at Blacksod. Thankfully they were wearing life-jackets or there may have been a very different result. It is great to see people watching out for each other and working together for the common good. If you see anyone in difficulty on or in the water call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
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