Ireland

Video: Clifden RNLI rescues shipwrecked sailor from Inishark Island

The sailor's 25ft yacht had engine failure southeast of the island and was being smashed against the shoreline under the cliffs 
The sailor's 25ft yacht had engine failure southeast of the island and was being smashed against the shoreline under the cliffs  The sailor's 25ft yacht had engine failure southeast of the island and was being smashed against the shoreline under the cliffs 

A Co Galway lifeboat station has released dramatic footage of a rescue operation after a lone sailor got into trouble at Inishark Island.

Clifden RNLI launched two lifeboats after the sailor's 25ft yacht had engine failure southeast of the island and was being smashed against the shoreline under the cliffs further southwest, where he had managed to make his way ashore.

THe RNLI were on the scene last Friday, where the volunteer crew quickly located the yacht under the cliffs and spotted the skipper waving from the rocks above.

The sailor had sustained minor injuries and was transferred to Castlebar General Hospital. The severity of the weather meant that the yacht could not be recovered safely.

Clifden RNLI Coxswain James Mullen said: 'This call out was a very serious situation for a lone sailor whose equipment had failed and luckily he was able to raise the alarm by mobile phone.

"It really put into practise all of our combined training and seamanship skills and the rapid response times of both boats was remarkable.

"This was the first call out with the new Shannon Class lifeboat fully involved and it was great to be able to work together so well and effectively."