A planned exercise to simulate searching for a missing paddleboarder in Galway Bay has been rescheduled to a later date.
The simulated mission involving Irish Coast Guard helicopters and shore units, the RNLI and the Marine Institute was due to take place today, but has been deferred until resources permit.
The aim is to test modelling programmes used by both the Irish Coast Guard and Marine Institute to track drifting objects and pinpoint search areas.
A training exercise has been devised by Valentia Coast Guard which will involve launching a paddleboard with a 60-litre tank - filled to match the weight of a person on board.
A marker buoy simulating a swimmer will also be let out to drift to sea.
After the “paddleboarder” and “swimmer” are reported as “overdue”, a “Securité” alert message will be broadcast.
RNLI and Irish Coast Guard units will be tasked and given areas to search – based on the SARMAP system which can predict movement of drifting survivors and Marine Institute tidal modelling.
The SARMAP system was used successfully when the Rambler 100 capsized off the Cork coast while competing in the 2011 Fastnet Yacht Race.
Paddleboards were not configured into existing systems when the alert was raised over paddleboarders Sara Feeney and Ellen Glynn on August 12th, 2020.
The two women were using inflatable, rather than rigid boards, and had set out from Furbo beach for a short spin. A north-easterly wind them over 17 nautical miles from their original location at Furbo.
They were located clinging to a crab pot marker buoy south by Claddagh father and son fishermen Patrick and Morgan Oliver.
The Galway RNLI inshore lifeboat was not far behind when the two women were located, as the search area had moved further west towards the islands.
The training exercise will be co-ordinated by Valentia Coast Guard and will take place when resources allow.
The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 helicopter has been asked to participate, along with the RNLI Aran islands and Galway lifeboats, Costello Bay Coast Guard and Doolin Coast Guard.
- This story was updated on May 17 2022 following the deferment of the training exercise