The volunteer crew was requested to launch its inshore lifeboat by Malin Coast Guard at lunchtime on Monday.
Following an alert that a sailing dinghy with two people aboard had capsized near Blacksod lighthouse on Monday last, the Ballyglass RNLI's inshore lifeboat and landrover left its station immediately and reached its launch site at Blacksod with three volunteer crew ready for service.
The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene within 30 minutes of receiving the call. The alarm had been raised by a person on the shore who immediately alerted the emergency services.
A local fishing vessel had come to the aid of the sailors who had managed to re-right their boat. The fishing boat proceeded to tow the dinghy back to Blacksod pier. Ballyglass inshore boat escorted both vessels back to the pier where they were met by the Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit who attended to the two casualties, one of whom had mild hypothermia.
Pádraig Sheeran, Ballyglass Lifeboat Operations Manager, commended the local fishing vessel and the other emergency services involved saying: "The main aim of the RNLI is to save lives at sea and thanks to the commitment and vigilance of all those involved there was a positive outcome for the sailors at Blacksod.
"Thankfully they were wearing life-jackets or there may have been a very different result. It is great to see people watching out for each other and working together for the common good. If you see anyone in difficulty on or in the water call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard."
