The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat came to the aid of three fishermen on a trawler that had lost power and was drifting into a main channel last week.
On Thursday, January 8, the lifeboat was called out in response to a vessel that got into difficulty southwest of Spiddal in Galway Bay.
Volunteers were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 1:05pm to assess the situation where a trawler had gotten a net caught in its propeller, causing it to lose power.
Weather conditions at the time were good with a northerly force 3-4 wind and a half metre swell.
The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Declan Corrigan and with four crew members onboard, and arrived on scene an hour later.
Once on scene, the crew observed that while the fishermen were safe and well, the vessel was drifting into the main channel.
Due to the potential navigational hazard, it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow and bring the vessel and its crew to the nearest safe harbour at Rossaveel.
Once the vessel was alongside, the lifeboat crew made their way home, arriving at 5:20pm.
Speaking following the call out, Coxswain Declan Corrigan said, “The fishermen did the right thing in raising the alarm when they knew they couldn’t make any safe onward progress, and we were happy to assist as the tow was necessary to prevent any risk to navigation.”
“We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to go prepared. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity, always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
