Rescue services called to assist surfers in difficulty off Mayo coast
ACHILL Island RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard came to the assistance of three surfers in difficulty off the Mayo coast on bank holiday Monday.
The three were reported to be in difficulty off Carrowniskey, southwest of Louisburgh, shortly before 2 p.m. yesterday.
The call for help was made by a concerned member of the public who was observing from the shore.
The new Sligo-based AW189 Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was requested to assist, as well as Irish Coast Guard, Westport, and Achill lifeboat.
Achill RNLI's ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ made haste to the scene, passing Clare Island to the west, with a crew of six on board. There were Force 6 easterly winds gusting up to Force 8 at the time, with 2-3 metre westerly swells.
On arrival at the scene, the lifeboat crew observed that two of the surfers had already made it safely to shore. The crew of Rescue 118 winched the other surfer to safety and the lifeboat crew were requested to recover a surfboard which remained in the water.
The drifting surfboard was soon located and returned to the Coast Guard at Roonagh Pier.
Speaking after the call-out, Achill Island RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, Eilish Power, said: “Today’s call out had a happy and successful ending, thanks to the quick thinking of a member of the public making a call for help.
“The surfers did the right thing in planning their activity and going out on the water as a group, and it is important to remember that sometimes, despite the best made plans, conditions can change, resulting in someone needing help.”
Eilish continued: “Our volunteer crew train with other agencies regularly, which makes everyone’s task much easier, and we were delighted to assist our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard with the rescue this bank holiday afternoon.”
She concluded: “We remind people to never hesitate to make that call for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”