Aran Islands RNLI came to the aid of three people drifting in a dinghy on Sunday morning (14 July).
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 2.46 am, under Coxswain Tommy Dirrane, following a 999 call. Three people were drifting in a fibreglass dinghy which was taking on water approximately five miles northeast of Inis Mór.
Despite the darkness of night, weather conditions at the time of launching were good with a Force 3 north easterly wind and smooth seas. The lifeboat with six crew onboard made its way to the scene.
The crew proceeded to the location where they were further assisted by those onboard the dinghy having shot a flare into the sky to signal.
Once alongside the dinghy, the crew assessed the situation and observed that those onboard were safe and well and wearing lifejackets but due to the intake of the water needed to be quickly and safely taken off the vessel.
The crew then began to pump the water out of the dinghy and proceeded to tow the small vessel toward Ros A Mhíl with Costello Bay Coast Guard alongside. As the lifeboat entered Ros a Mhíl harbour, Costello Bay Coast Guard took over the tow of the casualty vessel to the nearby slipway while the lifeboat brought the three casualties to the pontoon where members of the Costello Bay Coast Guard shore crew assisted them there.
Speaking following the call out, Tommy Dirrane, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain said: ‘Time is of the essence in a situation where a boat is taking on water and this was a good response time for our volunteer crew and we were able to get to the men and the vessel quickly with the help of the illumination of their flare and a flashlight they were carrying. We would like to thank our colleagues in Costelloe Bay Coast Guard for their cooperation and working with us to bring the three back to safety.’
