Children stranded on island rescued by Galway RNLI

Four children were rescued from an island in Galway Bay in a major operation involving Galway RNLI Lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter.

The four children, a ten year old and three teenagers, became stranded on Rine Island near Ballyvaghan during the rising tide shortly after 4pm. The children’s father managed to swim ashore and raise the alarm and within minutes the Irish Coast Guard tasked Galway RNLI Lifeboat to the scene.

The rescue helicopter was first to arrive at the scene and a crew man was lowered to the island until Galway Lifeboat arrived some minutes later. Two of the lifeboat crew waded onto the island and transferred the casualties to the lifeboat where they were brought ashore to the quay in Ballyvaghan.

Local Gardai were at the scene with the father. Galway RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Swan said that as soon as the call came in it was evident the emergency services were in a race against the incoming tide. "Both services (Lifeboat and Coast Guard) pulled out all the stops and were on the scene within minutes to divert what could have been a tragedy."

The crew on this callout were: Declan Killilea (Helmsman), Patrick Oliver, David Badger and Patrick Oliver Junior.

I am aware this incident has happened on June 3rd but, better late than never, I want to express a big well done to all involved. Another tragedy avoided

http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Childr ... -RNLI.aspx

Just proves what a valuable service they provide well done the RNLI and Coastguard service

Just proves what a valuable service they provide well done the RNLI and Coastguard service

Just proves what a valuable service they provide well done the RNLI and Coastguard service

agreed

Yup. It's great to have those guys ready to respond to trouble.

Just wondering though, was it a proper island where all they had to do was wait for the tide to go out again, or was it an exposed reef that flooded on a rising tide?

Just wondering though, was it a proper island where all they had to do was wait for the tide to go out again, or was it an exposed reef that flooded on a rising tide?

Rine Island is connected to the coast by a strip of land during low tide. Two of the lifeboat crew waded onto the island and transferred the casualties to the lifeboat where they were brought ashore to the quay in Ballyvaghan.

Gardaí were at the scene with the father who is understood not to be from the area. Galway RNLI Lifeboat operations manager, Mike Swan, said as soon as the call came in, it was evident the emergency services were in a race against the incoming tide. “Both services (lifeboat and coast guard) pulled out all the stops and were on the scene within minutes to divert what could have been a tragedy.”

http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?o ... &Itemid=60

Spoke with some locals in Ballyvaughan, these people were warned not to go out onto the island, they were going out after winkles. The Rine is a spit of land that has over the years being cut by the tide, according to locals there was no risk to those involved as the tide does not cover the island. Local advise is invaluable and should be listened to.

Even if the tide didnt cover the island it would be a fairly scary experience being stranded for a young child. Fair play to the RNLI

have been on that island plenty of times - on a big swell on a spring i wouldnt be too confident

there is a fair current flowing between the islands as it is and again off the point

better to be safe than sorry