Volunteers with the Bundoran RNLI rescued two men after their vessel washed up on rocks at Mullaghmore on Monday evening.
Featured photo: Dessie Daly/RNLI
The alarm was raised at 4.16pm, when a member of the public reported seeing a boat in trouble.
A 3 metre vessel had suffered engine failure and washed up on the shoreline at Mullaghmore Head.
A four-strong RNLI crew was tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to the scene. The lifeboat faced a sea swell of 1.5 metres with a force five westerly wind blowing. A shore crew and the Rescue 118 helicopter was also deployed to the scene.
Two crewmembers were found standing alongside the stricken vessel. As the area was inaccessible by land, the decision was taken to get the two crew off by towing their boat to safety.
An RNLI crew member was put ashore to assist the helicopter winchman with the casualties. A line was subsequently passed and the boat and the crew of the boat were towed to safety off the rocks.
The two men and their boat were safely brought to Mullaghmore.
Speaking following the callout, helm Brian Gillespie said: “We would like to thank the member of the public who made the initial 999 call. We would always advise anyone who thinks that they see somebody in trouble on the coast to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. We would remind sea users of the importance of bringing a means of calling for help should the need arise – a mobile phone but ideally a VHF radio.”
