Two Callouts in 14 Hours for Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Crew

Wednesday 23 July 2025

The volunteer lifeboat crew at Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboat station respond to two callouts in a 14 hour period.

Lough Swilly all-weather lifeboat. Photo Credit: RNLI/Lough Swilly

The first callout came at 6:16pm on Tuesday evening (22 July) when Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to help locate a missing kayaker in the Kinnagoe Bay area. The all-weather lifeboat was returning from Killybegs and was quickly diverted to the kayaker’s last known location.

At 6:40pm, Malin Head Coast Guard updated the crew that the casualty had made contact and the lifeboat was stood down. The crew continued their journey to Buncrana Pier, refuelled, and made ready for service.

The second callout came at 8:07am this morning (Wednesday 23 July) when Lough Swilly RNLI were by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a fishing boat sinking just off Glengad, with three persons on board. The all-weather lifeboat was quickly launched, and the crew made their way to the vessel in distress.

The boat sank, and the three casualties were recovered from a life raft by a nearby fishing boat. They were transferred to the Greencastle Coast Guard boat and brought to Bunagee Pier, where they were assessed by an ambulance crew on scene. The all-weather lifeboat was stood down and returned to Buncrana to refuel and prepare for its next service.