Galway RNLI's volunteer crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a 30-foot motorboat, with five people on board, in difficulty off Blackhead in County Clare late on Friday evening.
The lifeboat launched at around 8.30 pm with crew members David Oliver, Dave Badger, James Rattigan and Ian Claxton on board and headed towards the location of the motorboat, which was northeast of Finvarra Point, off Ballyvaughan.
Conditions at sea were challenging, with squally wind, rain and poor visibility. The crew on board the Galway lifeboat reached the motorboat at around 9 pm and escorted the boat - which was under her own power - and the five people on board back to Galway Harbour.
David Oliver, who was helm on board the lifeboat, said: ‘Our volunteer shore crew were waiting at the harbour and helped to secure the motorboat when she arrived back. We were very pleased to be able to assist the five people on board the motorboat and make sure they got safely back to dry land.