Union Hall RNLI crew rescue three after raft gets into difficulty
- Pat Nolan
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Saturday 29 August 2026
Union Hall RNLI volunteers came to the assistance of three people on Saturday morning after their raft got into difficulty in the waters at the Small Sound in West Cork.
The volunteer crew had been carrying out a routine training exercise when they were diverted at 9.50am following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to assess the situation.
The incident occurred at the Small Sound, the narrow stretch of water between Rabbit Island and the mainland at Union Hall.
The Union Hall RNLI inshore lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding, helmed by Sean Walsh, immediately diverted to the scene. He was accompanied by crew members Ríona Casey and Lily Riddle.
On arrival, the lifeboat crew found two of the casualties in the water, attempting to assist the raft across the channel.
The raft had got into difficulty in the prevailing weather conditions, with north-westerly winds of between four and five knots.
The RNLI crew took the two people and the raft aboard the lifeboat before bringing all three safely ashore, arriving back at 10.10am.
The lifeboat then returned to the station.
Supporting the volunteer crew ashore were Head Launcher John Kelleher and shore crew members Raymond Limrick and Deirdre Forristal.
Following the call-out, Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Kelleher commended the three people for taking important safety precautions.
“We would like to commend the three people for all wearing lifejackets, and all having a means of communication, and we wish them well,” he said.
The call-out also marked a significant morning for two Union Hall RNLI volunteers, with Lily Riddle responding to her first shout as a lifeboat crew member and Deirdre Forristal taking part in her first shout as a member of the shore crew.
Kelleher congratulated both volunteers, saying it was an important milestone in their service with the station.
The RNLI is reminding anyone who sees a person in difficulty in or near the water to remember Phone, Float, Throw.
Phone: Call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Float: Tell the person in difficulty to Float to Live.
Throw: Throw them something that floats, such as a lifebuoy, to help keep them afloat until assistance arrives.
