18 people rescued by RNLI off Mayo coast

18 people rescued in Mayo by RNLI


Anton McNulty

EIGHTEEN people were rescued by the RNLI off the Mayo coast in 2009 with figures released showing a 13 per cent national increase in the number of launches compared to 2008.
Statistics released by the RNLI show that ten people were rescued by the Ballyglass lifeboat and eight by the Achill lifeboat over the course of last year. The Ballyglass lifeboat was launched 21 times while the Achill boat was launched nine times in 2009.
The busiest lifeboat station was Dun Laoghaire where the crew was launched 68 times and 92  people were rescued. The busiest lifeboat station along the west coast was the Aran Island lifeboat which was launched 51 times and rescued 35 people.
The most common reason for launch requests last year were mechanical failure with 194 callouts, while vessels becoming stranded or grounded was the reason for 104 callouts. The other most common reasons were for vessels believing to be in danger or trouble, medical emergencies and searches for missing people.
Commenting on the figures the RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector, Gareth Morrison said the statistics showed that their voluntary crews were ready throughout the year for callouts.
“It’s been another busy year for Ireland’s RNLI lifeboats. It has become clear that more people are using the water for recreation and demand for the lifeboats continues to be high,” he said.