Ballyglass RNLI volunteer crew rescue boatman in Broadhaven Bay

The Irish Coast Guard requested Ballyglass volunteer lifeboat crew to launch to assist a 35ft fishing vessel at 12.30pm on Friday 2 April in Broadhaven Bay. The vessel had ran aground in the channel close to Belmullet docks and had sent a Mayday emergency distress signal.

The inshore lifeboat launched immediately and was on scene within minutes.

The casualty vessel was secured and the sole occupant transferred to the lifeboat to be brought safely ashore. The crew, with Frankie Geraghty at the helm, returned to station, refuelled and had the boat ready for service by 1.40pm.

All Covid 19 procedures and guidelines were strictly adhered to.

Pádraig Sheeran, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Ballyglass commended all involved on the expediency of the response. He said: ‘The RNLI and and the Coast Guard are always ready to assist but we ask the public to always put safety first, to always have a means of communication when on or near the water, and to always respect the water.’ 

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.