The University of Galway says it is inquiring into a recent incident on the river Corrib where up to ten people were rescued after their rowing craft were swept towards the salmon weir.
The university says no one was injured, but emergency service representatives in Galway have said the incident was potentially very serious as the sport of rowing is exempt from mandatory life jacket use.
A multi-agency group involving the Garda, the RNLI, Galway fire service and Civil Defence has called for a dedicated rescue craft to be stationed on the river upstream of the weir.
Three rowing boats- two with university students and one with secondary school students- were involved in two separate incidents last Saturday morning (Jan 14) on the river, which was in spate after recent heavy rain.
Both incidents occurred between 11 am and 12 noon, with the first being the capsize of an octuple or “eight” rowing craft with students from Coláiste Iognáid or “ Jez” secondary school.
The capsized octuple or “eight” rowing craft Photo: Niall McNelis
The capsize occurred up river from the weir and across from their clubhouse. All students were rescued by their club safety launches within minutes and taken ashore.
A more serious incident occurred shortly after that when two rowing craft with University of Galway students were swept towards the salmon weir, where they were caught by pontoons and capsized due to the strength of the river flow.
Ten rowers - none of whom are obliged to wear lifejackets due to the sport’s exemption - had to be taken from the top of the weir by club safety launches in very challenging conditions.
The Irish Coast Guard confirmed that its Valentia Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted through the national 112/999 call answering service at 12:08hrs on January 14. It said it was reported that ten rowers were “possibly in difficulty at the weir”.
The Coastguard was informed that ten rowers were “possibly in difficulty at the weir” Photo:Niall McNelis
The Galway Fire Service, An Garda Siochana, Coast Guard Helicopter R118 from Sligo, Galway RNLIlLifeboat and Costelloe Bay Coast Guard unit were tasked, it said.
“During the 112/999 call the caller confirmed all boat occupants had been recovered to the club safety boats responding locally,”the Irish Coast Guard said, and rescue units were stood down.
The University of Galway said support boats were on the water at the time the two boats capsized and no-one was injured.
“ All rowers were brought safely from the water to the river bank within minutes,”a spokesman said.
“The university is deeply grateful to other rowing clubs for their support and prompt response. We are also thank the emergency services for their rapid response,”he said.
He confirmed the university is compiling an internal report, has engaged with Rowing Ireland, the national representative body, and is reviewing all safety measures and precautions which are in place for our rowing club and other river users”.
It said it would cooperate fully with any inquiry by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB), and would support any initiatives to improve water safety and rescue services on the Corrib.
The MCIB said it was “aware” of the incident and had not yet decided if there would be an inquiry.
A spokesman for Coláiste Iognáid said that it was satisfied that all safety procedures were followed when its boat capsized, and said all students were fine and parents were informed.
Speaking on behalf of the Galway water users’ multi-agency group, RNLI Galway operations manager Mike Swan said that a dedicated rescue craft above the weir which was on call “24/7” was essential.
There has been no rowing on the Corrib this week, and clubs were meeting last night.
Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club said it supported calls for a dedicated rescue boat, as the nearest service up river is the Corrib-Mask Rescue Service in Lisloughrey, Co Mayo.
“We are calling on Galway city and county councils to act on our concerns immediately before there is a serious tragedy on our city’s waters,”the club said.
