Bundoran RNLI comes to the aid of two swimmers dragged out to sea off Main Beach

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 7.49pm by Malin Head Coast Guard. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo and Killybegs Coast Guard were also tasked.

Weather conditions at the time were described as at high tide and there was a 1m sea swell and an offshore wind.

The lifeboat helmed by Brian Gillespie and with crew members Mark Vaughan, Oisin Cassidy and Richard Gillespie onboard, made its way to the scene where on arrival, the helicopter crew which had also just arrived, spotted the two people in the water and directed the lifeboat crew to their exact position.

Both the man and woman were found to be safe and well but due to how far offshore they had become, a decision was made by the lifeboat crew to take them onboard and bring them safely back to Main Beach.

Speaking following the call out, Daimon Fergus, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Thankfully, both people were found to be safe and well when we located them yesterday evening and not in need of assistance. However, as they were quite far out, the safest option was to bring them onboard and return them safely to the beach. We would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm when they spotted what they thought were two people in potential difficulty, that is always the right thing to do. We would also like to thank our colleagues in the various emergency services who attended including the Coast Guard, Gardai, and ambulance service.

‘As we approach the final weeks of the summer holidays, we would encourage anyone planning a trip to the coast to always plan ahead with safety in mind. Check weather and tide times before venturing out, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity, always carry a suitable means of communication such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

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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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