The Killaloe unit of the Irish Coast Guard has towed a drifting vessel to safety on the River Shannon after its owner fell overboard after attempting to do so himself.
At around 4.00pm on Monday, the volunteer unit was tasked by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry. They had received a report of a vessel drifting on the river South of Killaloe.
The skipper of the vessel was attempting to recover the boat from water at Ballina slipway when he lost his footing and fell overboard. The vessel drifted into a strong flow and was taken with the current down river towards Parteen Weir.
The skipper was however able to make his safety to exit the water at Ballina slipway before calling for assistance.
A Coast Guard boat crew launched from their base at Pierhead Killaloe while a shore team responded to Ballina slipway by road.
The vessel was located south of the new Killaloe bridge and was taken on tow back to the Ballina jetty where the shore team was on hand to assist with the safe mooring of the vessel.
The Irish Coat Guard advises: “Remember, if you see someone in difficulty please call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”