Clifden RNLI launched both its Shannon class all-weather and Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats this morning (Friday 26 February) after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was accidentally activated, giving a position west of Turbot Island.
The volunteer crews were requested to launch their lifeboats at 9.28 am and they immediately made their way to the scene. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was also tasked.
Weather conditions at the time were good with a south-westerly Force 4 wind, good visibility, and a moderate ground swell.
The lifeboat crews conducted a thorough search for approximately two and a half hours, but nothing was found. During the search, information was relayed to the crews that the EPIRB may have been accidentally activated at a property on a nearby empty island. The crew conducted a shoreline search on the island. The search was subsequently called off and the lifeboats were stood down at 12.19 pm.
Speaking following the call out, John Brittain, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘While we were quite concerned when the pagers went off this morning, we are glad that all is well and that no one was in danger. This was a false alarm in the sense that an EPIRB was accidentally activated, but we would always much rather launch and search to ensure everything is ok, than not launch at all.
‘I would like to commend our volunteers and our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard for their teamwork in today’s search. We would encourage anyone who gets into difficulty or sees someone else in trouble, to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
