Three surfers rescued in Bank Holiday incident off Mayo Coast

Three surfers were rescued following a Bank Holiday Monday incident off the Mayo coast after getting into difficulty in challenging sea conditions at Carrowniskey, southwest of Louisburgh.

Achill Island RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked shortly before 2pm on Monday, February 2, after a member of the public raised the alarm having spotted the surfers in trouble from the shore. It marked the Achill crew’s first call-out of 2026.

The rescue operation involved a multi-agency response, with the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 and Irish Coast Guard Westport also dispatched to the scene.

Sea conditions at the time were described as difficult, with Force 6 easterly winds gusting to Force 8 and westerly swells of between two and three metres. The Achill Island all-weather lifeboat Sam and Ada Moody, carrying a crew of six, made best speed to the location, passing Clare Island to the west.

When rescuers arrived, two of the surfers had already made it safely ashore. The third surfer was winched from the water by Rescue 118 and brought to safety. The RNLI lifeboat crew were then tasked with recovering a surfboard that had drifted away and remained in the water. The board was later returned to Irish Coast Guard Westport at Roonagh Pier.

All three surfers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

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Speaking after the incident, Achill Island RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Eilish Power praised the outcome and the coordinated response. “Today’s call-out had a happy and successful ending, thanks to the quick thinking of a member of the public making a call for help,” she said. “The surfers did the right thing by planning their activity and going out as a group, but it’s important to remember that conditions can change quickly.”

She also highlighted the value of inter-agency training and cooperation. “Our volunteer crew train regularly with other agencies, which makes everyone’s task much easier. We were delighted to assist our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard with the rescue this Bank Holiday afternoon.”