Man rescued by Coast Guard after boat suffers double engine failure

A lone boatman set off a distress flare and called the Irish Coast Guard for assistance after he was left drifting at sea when both of his boat engines failed.

The man was alone on board the the 18ft RIB (rigid inflatable boat) when it suffered double engine failure at around midday Friday off the Clare coast near Liscannor.

After one engine on the craft failed, the boatman started his auxiliary motor, which also cut out, leaving him adrift about 500m from shore. The man deployed a maritime distress flare and called 999/112 to alert the Irish Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre on Valentia Island, Co Kerry, maintained telephone contact with the man, while the nearest unit of the service was alerted and requested to respond.

Volunteers from Doolin Coast Guard travelled by road to Liscannor, where they launched their rescue boat.

The boat suffered minor damage but its occupant was unharmed.