Ballyglass RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch on Friday night (17 July) to a yacht taking on water in Killala Bay with six people on board.
Two people were taken off the yacht by Killala Coast Guard, and the yacht reached Killybegs safely in the early hours of Saturday morning with the remaining four on board, following a service lasting almost 12 hours.
The volunteer crew of Ballyglass RNLI in Co Mayo were requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard at 9.46pm on Friday following reports of a yacht taking on water in Killala Bay with six people on board.
The volunteer crew — including coxswain PJ Walker, mechanic Trevor Devereux and crew members Gerry Martin, Hughie Carolan, Stephen Togher and Sean Reilly — launched the all-weather lifeboat and made best speed to the scene.
Conditions at the time were cloudy with a fresh northerly wind. A Met Éireann marine warning was in force along the west and north-west coast from 3pm on Friday, with north to north-west winds reaching Force 6 at times, and remained in place overnight.
Killala Coast Guard was also on scene and took two people off the yacht. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118, based in Sligo, was also tasked to assist.
At 11.40pm, it was decided to take the yacht under tow to Killybegs, with the remaining four people staying on board the casualty vessel for the passage. A fishing vessel in the area and Killybegs Coast Guard also assisted.
The lifeboat arrived in Killybegs at 6.10am on Saturday morning and the yacht was brought safely alongside. Ballyglass RNLI then made way back to station, where the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 9.45am.
Speaking following the call-out, Ballyglass RNLI coxswain PJ Walker said: “This was a long service for our volunteer crew, who were away from station for almost 12 hours overnight. We’re glad everyone on board the yacht is safe and well, and we’d like to thank Killala Coast Guard, Killybegs Coast Guard, the crew of the fishing vessel that assisted and the crew of Rescue 118 for their help throughout.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to go prepared. Check the weather and tides before venturing out, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device and always carry a means of communication. If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
