Sligo Bay RNLI volunteers brought five swimmers to safety yesterday evening after they got into difficulty due to the high spring tides off Rosses Point.
Following reports that a swimmer was in difficulty off Deadman's Point, the Sligo RNLI Lifeboat crew was requested to launch their lifeboat by Malin Head Coast Guard shortly before 5pm.
A swimmer caught by the spring tide was in the water for around 20 minutes before they were rescued and brought ashore. As the Sligo RNLI crew washed down their lifeboat they received a further request from Malin Head Coast Guard.
The lifeboat crew immediately launched again and assisted two more swimmers at the same location who they brought safely ashore.
Two further swimmers in difficulty were assisted by a volunteer RNLI crew member, who was fishing in his vessel.
The five swimmers who were rescued yesterday evening did not require any medical treatment.
Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dermot Gillen said the beautiful weather coupled with high tides known as spring tides at present is attracting many swimmers to Deadman's Point in Sligo.
Mr Gillen said there "is always a current just off the swimming area [at Deadman's Point] and the signage there directs swimmers to the safe place to go".
Given the high tides and good weather is set to continue for the next few days, Mr Gillen is encouraging people to follow the advice on the signage at Deadman’s Point.
The Sligo Bay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager is urging people who face difficulty or see someone else in trouble in the water to contact 999 or 112 immediately.
He is advising swimmers in difficulty to tilt their head back with ears submerged, try to relax and control breathing, use hands to stay afloat and then, once the initial shock has passed to call for help to or swim to safety.
