Achill RNLI come to rescue of paddleboarders

Members of Achill Island RNLI left an open day to come to the aid of three paddleboarders at Keem Bay on Saturday afternoon.

The open day, which was being held as part of the local Féile Chill Damhnait, was taking place at the lifeboat station when the call for help was made by the Irish Coast Guard.

The alarm was raised after a lifeguard at the beach noticed the three paddleboarders were taking a long time to return from Moyteoge Head and he became worried about them due to the off-shore easterly breeze at the idyllic Keem Bay. The Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was also requested to assist. The RNLI all-weather lifeboat ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ launched shortly after 3pm with a crew of six on board under the command of Declan Corrigan, Coxswain. It was sunny at the time with flat calm sea conditions.

By the time the lifeboat arrived on scene, one paddleboarder had managed to make their way back to shore while the other two were assisted by a local fishing boat who came to their aid prior to the arrival of the lifeboat.

Declan Corrigan, said: “The paddleboarders had made the right decision to come to a lifeguarded beach and as a result, the quick-thinking lifeguards on duty called the Coast Guard for additional help prior to attempting to reach the paddleboarders themselves. Thankfully, the situation had a very happy ending for everyone concerned and we would like to thank everyone involved for their help and assistance. We remind people to never hesitate to call 999 or 112 if they see someone in difficulty in the water. It is never a waste of resources."