Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteer crew launched three times in four days after a pair of incidents off Aughris on Sunday, 16 August, followed by another callout near Sligo Port on Wednesday. The first alert came at 4.17 pm on Sunday when the Irish Coast Guard requested assistance for a boat off Aughris whose propellers had become fouled after getting tangled in ropes.
The Sheila and Dennis Tongue launched with four volunteer crew members and, after assessing the casualty, the crew determined that towing the vessel to the pontoon at Rosses Point was the safest option because it could not continue under its own power.
Second call follows immediately
While returning with the first casualty, the lifeboat received another request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist a boat with two people aboard that had run out of fuel, also in the Aughris area.
After securing the first vessel at Rosses Point and ensuring everyone aboard was safe, the lifeboat headed back out with a relief crew. The second casualty also couldn't make safe progress, and the RNLI volunteers towed it to Aughris Pier.
Third launch near Sligo Port
The third callout came on Wednesday, 19 August, when a five-metre RIB with one person aboard developed engine trouble in the channel near Sligo Port. After several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the person aboard secured the RIB to a navigation pillar and called for assistance.
The lifeboat launched at 12.56 pm and proceeded up the channel. Following an assessment, the crew towed the RIB safely back to the pontoon at Rosses Point.
Sligo Bay RNLI Helm Michael Waters praised the casualty for seeking assistance rather than continuing attempts to restart the engine as the tide ebbed.
“The person onboard, who was wearing a lifejacket, made the right decision to call the Coast Guard and request assistance as the tide was on the way out and they had made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine,” Waters said. “As we know, time can be of the essence in many situations, so we would encourage people not to delay in raising the alarm if they are in difficulty or see someone else in trouble.”
Over the four-day period, Sligo Bay RNLI volunteers assisted four people and three vessels.
