Ballyglass RNLI’s inshore lifeboat in northwest Mayo was requested to launch yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 20 July) by the Irish Coast Guard to assist two people on a jet ski in difficulty between Doolough and Claggan in Blacksod Bay.
The volunteer lifeboat crew, consisting of father and son Frankie and Eric Geraghty, with Matthew Togher at the helm, launched at Shore Road Belmullet within 10 minutes of the pagers going off. The lifeboat was on scene within half an hour with conditions being very favourable; flat sea, no wind and good visibility.
Malin Head Coast Guard had been contacted when a jet ski capsized, making the situation dangerous and impossible for the vessel to proceed. A rigid inflatable powerboat in the area had taken the casualties aboard until the lifeboat arrived. Once on scene the lifeboat crew assessed the situation, took the uninjured jet ski crew aboard and proceeded to bring them safely to land at Doolough.
The lifeboat was then returned to station, refuelled, washed down and ready for service again within 2 hours of the initial call-out. Ballyglass Coast Guard unit were also tasked to assist and were on shore to help locate the vessel.
Pádraig Sheeran, Ballyglass RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said : ‘We are glad of a positive outcome today and want to remind people of the importance of always respecting the water and looking out for each other on or near the sea. Well done to all who helped out today. Ní neart go cur le chéile, as they say (we are stronger when we work together).