Aran Islands and Galway RNLI training on Galway Bay

Monday 29 January 2024

Crews from the Aran Islands and Galway RNLI stations took part in a joint training exercise on inner Galway Bay on Saturday (27 January).

Six crew from Aran Islands ALB with four crew from Galway ILB on the deck of the ALB David Kirkaldy which is tied up at the pontoon at Galway Lifeboat Station — Aran Islands and Galway RNLI crew, from left: Daniel O'Connell, Brian Niland, Billy Gillan, Declan Killilea, James Corballis, Aonghus Ó HIarnáin (Coxswain), Frankie Leonard, Paraic Gill, Caelan Cullen Quinn and Mairtín Eoin Coyne (Mechanic).

The training was an opportunity for the crews from the two flanking stations to work together on a number of boat handling and seamanship exercises to prepare for future joint search and rescue missions.

Brian Niland, helm with Galway RNLI who led the exercise for the Galway crew said: ‘We were delighted to welcome the Aran Islands RNLI crew, onboard the all-weather Severn lifeboat David Kirkaldy, to Galway for a training exercise off Salthill.

‘It was impressive to see the larger Aran Islands lifeboat and see how the two lifeboats can work side by side. The training was a great learning experience for both crews and will help us when we are requested to launch together, to help those in danger in the water. Our volunteer lifeboat crews spend many hours training so we can meet the dangers and challenges we face at sea.’

Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Aonghus Ó HIarnáin said: ‘Saturday’s training exercise was a good chance to meet the Galway crew and show what the lifeboat from each station is capable of.

‘The type of lifeboat a station has depends on geographical features, the kind of rescues the station is involved in and the cover provided by neighbouring lifeboat stations. Our Severn class lifeboat is designed for the offshore long jobs we face in the toughest weather, while the Galway Atlantic class lifeboat is one of the fastest in the fleet and is ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks which may be inaccessible to our all-weather lifeboat. Working together we are able to carry out search and rescue throughout Galway Bay.

‘24 hours a day, 7 days a week, RNLI lifeboat crews are ready to answer the call to rescue. If you see someone in trouble at the coast call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

The Galway ILB with the Aran Islands ALB on open water heading out of Galway Port with buildings on the Long Walk in Galway to the right and Nimmos Pier to the left in the background — Galway RNLI crew on board the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Binny leaving Galway Port with the Aran Islands RNLI crew on board the all-weather Severn lifeboat David Kirkaldy.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Aran Islands and Galway RNLI training on Galway Bay

About the author

Categories