Clifden and Achill Island RNLI brave Storm Agnes to rescue lone sailor

MEMBERS of the Achill Island and Clifden RNLI crews took part in a joint rescue mission on Wednesday morning to assist a sailor who had run into difficulty in heavy seas.

The shout lasted nearly ten hours in very difficult sea conditions and was the longest tow ever carried out by Clifden RNLI, a total of 22 miles.

Both Clifden and Achill Island RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard just after 6am on Wednesday morning after the sailor of a 46ft yacht had called for assistance after losing engine power and weather conditions were deteriorating.

Sea conditions at the time were very difficult and the lifeboat crews faced four metre swells, driving rain and Force 8 winds out at sea. The yacht was located ten miles west of Clare Island and once on scene, the crew communicated with the sailor who was unharmed and grateful for the assistance.

The Clifden lifeboat crew managed to establish a tow-line despite the storm conditions and commenced the long journey to safe harbour in Cleggan. The Achill crew provided welcome cover and escorted the Clifden lifeboat and the casualty vessel back to safety, before returning to base.

The rescue was a baptism of fire for Thomas Davis, the Coxswain of Clifden’s 'St Christopher' lifeboat who was performing his first rescue in command of the lifeboat since passing out as Coxswain of the all weather lifeboat. He was assisted by crew members Joe Acton, Andy Bell, Shane Conneely, Chris Nee and Owen Hayes.

Speaking about the rescue Thomas Davis, Clifden RNLI Coxswain commended both lifeboat crews for rising to the challenge.

“The storm conditions and the distance we travelled today made for a challenging rescue, but this is what we train for, and I’m happy we were able to bring this sailor back to shore. I’d like to thank Achill Island RNLI for standing by us today which was a great support throughout the ten hours at sea.

“I’d remind everyone of safety advice during storm conditions; please exercise extreme caution around the coast and shore line. Always check the weather and the tides before going to sea and always call for help if you are in difficulty.”

Declan Corrigan was Coxswain of the Achill Island RNLI all weather lifeboat, 'Sam and Ada Moody' with Michael Cattigan, Patrick Kilbane, Thomas Ruddy, Terry Hogarth and Alex Blackmun as crew.