Fethard RNLI called out three times in three days

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI lifeboat crew were launched on three occasions over three consecutive days at the weekend.

The first call came on Friday at 3.15pm, when the inshore lifeboat crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a person suffering a medical emergency aboard a vessel travelling to Slade Harbour.

On arrival, they found the casualty was already ashore and receiving assistance from the local Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard unit. The lifeboat crew remained on scene until the ambulance arrived before returning to station.

The following evening (Saturday) the lifeboat Naomh Dubhán was requested to launch at 6.52pm following reports that two people had become cut off by the tide on rocks north of Sandeel Bay.

The crew launched the D class inshore lifeboat at Slade Harbour and made their way to the reported location. Visibility was poor due to fog, with a Force 5 wind and a high tide. The casualties were located on rocks at 7.22pm.

With waves breaking over the rocks as a result of the wind and high tide, the crew carefully assessed the situation and decided the safest option was to veer down by deploying the anchor and manoeuvring the lifeboat back towards the casualties.

Both casualties were safely recovered onto the inshore lifeboat and brought back to Slade Harbour, where they were met by members of Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard unit.

The lifeboat crew were requested for a third time on Sunday at 2.51pm, following reports of divers unaccounted for at Slade Rock.

Weather conditions were overcast, with poor visibility due to fog and a Force 4 wind. As the crew launched from Slade Harbour, they were informed by the Coast Guard that the divers had been located safe and well and that no further assistance was required.

Speaking on the weekend’s call outs, Domini Codd, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fethard RNLI said; “This was a busy weekend, but it shows the selfless and dedicated nature of our volunteers who are always ready to answer the call for help.

‘We would like to commend all those who called for help this weekend. It highlights the importance of always having a suitable means of calling for help when visiting the coast.

If you get into difficulty or see somebody else that may be in difficulty on or near the water, use Marine VHF channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’