Busy weekend for Fethard RNLI as volunteers respond to three callouts in three days
Monday 15 September 2026
It was a busy weekend for the volunteers of Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Station, with the crew being tasked three times in three days to assist people in difficulty around the coast.
The first call came on Friday afternoon when the lifeboat was requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a person suffering a medical emergency aboard a vessel.
As the lifeboat crew arrived at Slade Harbour to launch, they were informed that the casualty had already been brought ashore and was being treated by members of the Fethard on Sea Coast Guard Unit. The lifeboat crew stood by at the harbour until an ambulance arrived.
On Saturday evening, the pagers sounded again when the lifeboat was tasked to assist two people who had become stranded on rocks near Sandeel Bay after being cut off by the rising tide.
The lifeboat crew faced challenging conditions during the rescue, including fog, strong winds and a high tide. The two casualties were safely recovered by the volunteer crew and brought ashore at Slade Harbour, where members of the Fethard on Sea Coast Guard Unit were waiting to assist.
There was another call for the volunteers on Sunday afternoon when the lifeboat was tasked following a report of missing divers.
As the lifeboat launched from Slade Harbour, the Coast Guard informed the crew that the divers had been located safe and well. No further assistance was required and the lifeboat was stood down.
Involved in the three shouts over the weekend were afloat crew Eoin Bird, John Colfer, Mick Roche, Cathal O'Connell, Peter Mullan and Tricia Rice; driver/shore crew Thomas Stafford, Brendan O'Callaghan, Siani Blanchfield and Martin Doran; and Launch Authorities Walter Foley, Pat Wallace, Peter Barry and Domini Codd.
Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Domini Codd paid tribute to the station's volunteers following the busy weekend.
“This was a busy weekend, but it shows the selfless and dedicated nature of our volunteers who are always ready to answer the call for help,” he said.
“We would like to commend all those who called for help this weekend. It highlights the importance of always having a suitable means of calling for help when visiting the coast.
“If you get into difficulty or see somebody else that may be in difficulty on or near the water, use Marine VHF channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
