Ballyglass RNLI launch inshore lifeboat to reports of fishing boat in difficulty
On Monday evening (10 April) at 8.53pm, Ballyglass RNLI was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Clann Lir by Malin Head Coast Guard.
The call was made following reports that a lone fisherman, in a small boat, was in difficulty off Derrynameel Island, situated approximately one nautical mile from Belmullet.
On setting off the pager, seven volunteer lifeboat crew responded to the call and three of them launched the inshore lifeboat immediately from the Docks at Belmullet with Frankie Geraghty taking on the Helm position.
On arriving at the scene, the lifeboat crew observed that a local vessel had reached the casualty and was taking the fishing boat under tow back to shore. Ballyglass RNLI escorted the tow to Belmullet Docks, standing by in case additional help was needed. The lifeboat crew were stood down at 9.25pm.
Commenting on the call out, Ballyglass RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Robbie Barrett said: ‘Thankfully this call out ended well for all concerned. Conditions at the time were near perfect with a full tide and the fisherman was safety escorted home due to the quick action of a local person, who was nearby.
‘I would also like to commend the volunteer lifeboat crew at Ballyglass RNLI, who responded in large numbers to a call out on a bank holiday Monday evening and who had also been on a lifeboat training exercise earlier that day. They would not have known how serious the emergency was but they dropped everything and were ready to put to sea and use their training. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of people. Our thanks also to the local man who helped the fisherman.’
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