Aran Islands RNLI has encouraged the public to always call for help when they believe they’ve seen someone in distress at sea.
The message follows a callout across Galway Bay to Rossaveal in Connemara last night (Monday 5 October) that turned out to be a false alarm with good intent.
The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 7.45pm to reports of a flare sighting near Great Mans’ Bay, amid choppy seas with a two-metre swell and 22-knot northwesterly winds.
The crew were joined in the search by Costello Bay Coast Guard and the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115.
But after an extensive search of the area by all three rescue services working together, the operation was stood down.
“Thankfully the call out was a false alarm with good intent,” said Aran Islands RNLI press officer Lena O’Connell.
“It is always better to be safe than sorry. The volunteer crew members didn't hesitate to get the lifeboat to the search area as quickly as possible.
“We would remind everyone if you see someone in trouble or see a distress signal, don’t hesitate to call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”