Two adults and a child were rescued after they got into difficulty in a rubber dinghy off the Clare coast.
The 8ft (2.5m) inflatable boat was about a mile north of Doolin Point when the occupants raised the alarm on a marine band radio distress channel at around 4.00pm.
They reported they were in difficulty and required “immediate” assistance. It’s understood the small craft suffered engine failure and was at risk of being blown out to sea by the easterly wind.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry issued a radio call requesting any vessels in the area to assist if they were in a position to do so.
In the meantime, the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard was alerted while the Shannon based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, was also placed on standby.
A leisure craft, that had been nearby at the time, rendered assistance and took the dinghy on tow to Doolin where they were met by at the pier by Coast Guard members.
All three were checked by Coast Coast first responders to ensure they were unharmed and not in need of medical assistance. Once it was confirmed that all persons were safe and accounted for, all search and rescue assets were stood down.