A team effort from emergency services and a nearby boat led to two fishermen being saved off the Donegal coast last weekend.
The incident occurred off Ballyhoorisky, Fanad on Friday afternoon, where the crew of a fishing boat got into difficulty and radioed for help when their vessel began taking in water.
Thankfully, the two fishermen had shared their position with the Malin Coast Guard before they entered the sea. The Mulroy Coast Guard, Lough Swilly RNLI and Rescue 118 helicopter were dispatched to the scene.
Lough Swilly RNLI Volunteer Joe Joyce confirmed that a nearby fishing boat heard the radio call from Malin and made their way to assist the men. The fishermen were rescued from the sea after being in the water for 15 minutes.
The men were brought back to shore on the fishing boat, in conjunction with the Mulroy Coast Guard, and medically assessed by the Rescue 118 crew. The men were deemed safe and well at this stage.
The 30ft vessel eventually capsized and sank.
Mr Joyce added that both men were wearing lifejackets at the time of entering the water. One of the lifejackets was fitted with a personal locator beam. This beam, when activated, sends a signal to the coast guard of the jacket’s exact location.
Featured image via Mulroy Coast Guard
