The Killaloe unit of the Irish Coast Guard responded to three calls, back-to-back, on one of the warmest days of the year so far.
The volunteer unit was first tasked at 12.25pm today and launched their rescue boat to assist a cruiser with two persons on board that had suffered engine difficulty a kilometre North of Killaloe at Ballyvally.
On arrival at the scene, a Coast Guard crew member was transferred on board the casualty vessel an set up a stern tow. The vessel was then taken on tow back to Killaloe where a Coast Guard shore team was on standby to assist with the safe mooring of the cruiser.
The team had no sooner returned to their base at Pier Head Killaloe when they were requested to relaunch at 1.40pm.
The crew were tasked to Youghal Quay where a kayaker was reported to have capsized and that a swimmer was attempting to assist.
The boat crew immediately relaunched while a shore team responded by road to the location. While en route to the incident the team was stood down as the kayaker had received assistance from vessels in the area and was confirmed to be safe and well.
Just five minutes after arriving back at their base, the team was tasked for a third time at 1.55pm.
This time, Killaloe Coast Guard was requested to relaunch and make their way to a vessel with one person on board two kilometres North of Killaloe. The boat had experienced engine difficulty and the skipper dropped anchor and called for assistance.
The boat crew reached the casualty vessel seven minutes after launching and transferred a crew member on board. A stern tow line was set up and the vessel was taken on tow back to Killaloe where the shore team assisted in the safe mooring of the vessel.
All three incidents were mounted and coordinated by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.
Meanwhile, Killaloe Coast Guard has issued an urgent appeal to visitors to the area to be mindful of where they park and not tp block access to Coast Guard personnel responding to their station at Pier Head.
In recent weeks, a number of incidents have occurred where motorists have left their vehicles on the access road to the Coast Guard station (off the R463) blocking or hindering volunteers from responding to emergencies.
