Galway RNLI volunteers responded to three separate emergency callouts in a single night after being tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to assist incidents across Galway Bay.
The first launch came shortly after 1 am when the lifeboat was requested to evacuate an unwell crew member from a research vessel. Strong winds and rough seas meant a routine transfer ashore was not possible. Crew members James Rattigan, Paddy Hennelly, Mark Purcell and helm Declan Killilea launched with shore crew member Eoghan Donohue. While en route, they were diverted following reports of a 33ft sailing yacht with two people aboard that was overdue after failing to return to Renville, Co Galway.
The yacht was located by radar off Black Head, Co Clare, after assistance from the research vessel. Galway RNLI reached the boat at around 2.40am and found both sailors safe but without communications after they had encountered heavy weather.
The lifeboat crew relayed the good news to the Coast Guard, allowing worried family members to be informed that the pair were safe. The crew then resumed their original task, reaching the research vessel near Mutton Island. The unwell crew member was transferred to the lifeboat at about 3 am and brought ashore, where the casualty was handed into the care of the National Ambulance Service.
After completing the medical evacuation, the lifeboat returned to the sailing yacht, escorting it safely to its moorings at Renville before bringing the two sailors ashore to reunite with their waiting families.
Galway RNLI Launch Authority Peter Navan described the night as "quite an unusual evening" with three incidents unfolding in rapid succession. "It was the sort of scenario that we are trained for, not just in terms of the skills and experience of the lifeboat crew but also the decision making and risk assessment required when there are three incidents taking place almost simultaneously," he said.
Navan praised the close co-operation between Galway RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard, Galway Fire and Rescue Service, An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and the local maritime community. He also reminded anyone heading afloat to carry a reliable means of communication, tell someone their plans and expected return time, and to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard if they or anyone else gets into difficulty.
