Search and rescue operation resumes for man off Galway coast

An extensive search and rescue operation has resumed this morning for a man off Co Galway by the Irish Coast Guard.

Gardaí said shortly after 6.15pm on Thursday evening they and the Irish Coast Guard responded to reports of a man entering the water from a boat off the coast of Carna in Connemara.

The Irish Coast Guard confirmed a sea and air search and rescue operation is continuing which involves Costelloe Bay Coast Guard unit and Aran Island and Clifden lifeboats.

John Draper, divisional controller for the Valentia Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland the search recommenced just after 6am on Friday morning.

“The call came in yesterday just before 5pm. The call was from the man’s wife. They had anchored their yacht on the eastern side of the island, and unfortunately the dinghy from the yacht had drifted off,” he said.

“The gentleman had swam after the dinghy,” Draper said, which was how he came into difficulty.

“Conditions were reasonably favourable but there would be currents around those islands,” Draper said.

There were “similar enough conditions this morning, and visibility is good” but there was “unfortunately nothing to report” at this stage, he said.

Asked if the hope would be that the man might have reached the nearest island, Draper said: “Unfortunately, at this stage, it’s unlikely. What we’re doing is saturating the area. The whole area really was covered last night up to darkness. That recommenced this morning”.