A diving group stranded off the Donegal coast when their dive boat broke down were rescued by the Bundoran RNLI lifeboat crew yesterday afternoon (Sunday 20 October)
Receiving the call from Malin Head Coast Guard shortly before 1pm, the lifeboat crew, who had just returned from exercise, set out for the scene at the Bullockmore west cardinal marker just west of St John’s Point.
Arriving around 1.15pm, they found that the main dive boat had broken down and was unable to recover six divers who were in the water.
To assist with the operation, Killybegs Coast Guard’s boat was also tasked to the scene as was the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 from Strandhill.
Four divers were recovered onto the Bundoran lifeboat, with two others recovered to the Killybegs boat and subsequently transferred to a passing fishing boat who had responded to the coastguard’s initial call for assistance in the area.
In total eight divers were accounted for and safely transported back to Killybegs.
Commenting on the callout, his first as a qualified helmsman, Rory O’Connor said: “We are delighted that there was a successful conclusion to this shout.
“Thankfully once the dive boat realised that there was a problem they contacted the coastguard immediately and got ourselves, Killybegs Coast Guard Delta and Rescue 118 launched. We would always encourage all boats to check in with the coastguard before setting out.”
The incident came on the same day as two SCUBA divers were rescued in Dublin Bay after being separated from their boat, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
