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Galway RNLI rescue walker stranded on Hare Island

Lifeboats News Release

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard this afternoon to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide.

Inshore lifeboat with four crew on board leaving the pontoon at Galway Lifeboat Station after launching. Low tide has exposed rocks on the channel to left of the lifeboat and there are a number of fishing and other boats tied up on the right had side of the channel.

RNLI/Paul Carey

Galway RNLI volunteer crew on board the Atlantic 85 launching to rescue casualty stranded on Hare Island
The request to launch came shortly before 2pm and volunteer crew Dave Badger, James Rattigan, David Oliver and Olivia Byrne launched the lifeboat and were on the water around 10 minutes later. The lifeboat and crew headed to Hare Island, on inner Galway Bay, which is accessible to walkers at low tide.

Conditions at sea were good with good visibility thanks to the current spell of fine weather. When the crew reached Hare Island, they located the casualty who was safe and well. The crew brought the casualty on board the lifeboat and returned to the lifeboat station at the New Docks.

Dave Badger who was helm on the lifeboat said: ‘It was a good outcome today. The casualty didn't require any further medical treatment once we returned to the lifeboat station. The casualty raised the alarm when they realised that they were cut off by the tide and were unable to get off the island, and that was the right thing to do. If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

‘Walking around coasts is a very safe activity most of the time. Our advice is to always take a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.’

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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About the author

Aoife Morrissy
Lifeboat Press Officer, Galway

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