Clogherhead RNLI was placed on standby during a multi-agency emergency response after three swimmers got into difficulty at Port Beach, Lurganboy, County Louth, on Tuesday afternoon. Two swimmers were airlifted to hospital after ingesting a significant amount of seawater.
The volunteer crew was requested to launch its all-weather lifeboat Shannon at 4.48pm by Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre following reports of an incident at the northern end of Port Beach.
Before the lifeboat entered the water, the three swimmers had managed to reach the shore safely.
Local Coast Guard personnel, who were first on the scene, carried out an initial assessment. Two of the swimmers, who had swallowed a significant amount of water, were airlifted by Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 to hospital as a precaution for further assessment and observation.
Gardaí and the National Ambulance Service also attended the incident.
With the casualties safely ashore, the Clogherhead RNLI crew was stood down before launching. The lifeboat was returned to operational readiness at the station.
The volunteer crew on call included Coxswain Brian Sharkey, mechanic Barry Sharkey, crew members Derek Shevlin, Carol Holdcroft, Barbara Kirk and Patrick Rath, supported ashore by Brian Boylan, Shamey McEvoy, Carolyn Stanley, Paul Finn and Kevin Wallace.
Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Johnstone praised the coordinated emergency response.
"We are glad the swimmers got to safety and would like to wish them well and commend our colleagues in the Coast Guard for their work," he said.
Johnstone also reminded anyone planning activities near the coast to check weather and tide conditions, choose lifeguarded beaches where possible, swim with others and stay within their depth.
He warned that the northern end of Port Beach can have sudden seabed drop-offs and strong currents, adding that anyone who sees someone in difficulty should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
