Bundoran RNLI was tasked on Sunday afternoon (28 July) with rescuing two female paddle boarders drifting out to sea at Bunlin Bar, just past the Carrickfad rocks in Donegal Bay.
After receiving the call just before 4.30pm, the inshore lifeboat launched in calm weather with a maximum swell of one metre and a Force 2 breeze.
The father of one of the casualties made the call to the coastguard as he observed the two girls being blown further out to sea.
Helmed by Rory O'Connor and backed up by crew Richard Gillespie and James Cassidy, the lifeboat arrived on the scene within five minutes of the initial call.
Upon arrival, the crew observed that both casualties were wearing buoyancy aids and appeared to be in good health.
One of the girls had her mobile phone with her, allowing them to maintain communication while adrift.
The lifeboat safely took the casualties aboard and brought them back to Creevy Pier, where they were reunited with their father.
Speaking after the incident, Rory O’Connor said: “Something like this can easily happen to anyone going out on the water. What was important here today was that both casualties were wearing their buoyancy aids and had a means of communication with them in case of getting into difficulty.
“It’s only three days since we had World Drowning Prevention Day, and these are some of the key things we highlight to people when entering the water, as you never know when you will get into difficulty.”