Arranmore RNLI rescue six people stranded on rocks during challenging overnight operation
- Pat Nolan
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 5 August 2026
Arranmore RNLI volunteers rescued six people who became stranded on rocks after their paddle boards were blown off course in deteriorating weather conditions in the early hours of Wednesday morning (5 August).
The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 2.03am following a request from Malin Head Coast Guard after six people got into difficulty near Lahan Island, Cloughglas.
The group had been paddle boarding when increasing winds made it unsafe to continue. They made the decision to get onto nearby rocks and wait for the tide to fall before attempting to reach shore. However, as weather conditions worsened and they began to feel the effects of the cold, they contacted Malin Head Coast Guard for assistance at 1.42am.
The lifeboat launched with seven volunteer crew members on board and made its way to the scene, locating the casualties with assistance from the Bunbeg Coast Guard boat.
Once on scene, crew members Evan O'Donnell and Joe Doherty launched the Y-boat from the stern of the lifeboat to reach the casualties. The pair faced demanding conditions, at times dragging the boat across shallow sandbanks through chest-deep water to reach the group safely.
Throughout the rescue, the all-weather lifeboat remained on standby while crew illuminated the area using flares. Bunbeg Coast Guard also provided vital assistance by lighting the scene with a drone, helping crews work safely in the darkness.
Conditions offshore were extremely challenging, with heavy rain, winds of up to 55 knots and seas of between two and four metres breaking astern of the lifeboat. Fortunately, the waters closer to the shore where the casualties were located remained relatively calm.
All six casualties were successfully transferred onto the Y-boat and brought safely ashore, where they were assessed and treated by Bunbeg Coast Guard personnel and the National Ambulance Service.
Speaking following the callout, Arranmore RNLI Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell praised the efforts of the volunteer crew.
"My thanks to all the crew on board and especially Joe Doherty who helmed the Y-boat with Evan O'Donnell assisting. It took an hour and three quarters to get all of the casualties on board and to the safety of the shore. Their professionalism, commitment and dedication is commendable."
He also commended the actions of the paddle boarders.
"The people on the paddle boards did absolutely the right thing in calling for help and we are delighted with such a positive outcome."
The lifeboat returned to station and was back on anchor at approximately 5am, ready for service again.
The volunteer crew on board were Coxswain Kieran O'Donnell, Relief Mechanic Reamon O'Donnell, Navigator Sharon O'Donnell, Joe Doherty, Evan O'Donnell, Bernard John O'Donnell and James Jack O'Donnell.
