Aran Island RNLI came to the aid of eight people in two separate incidents over the weekend after two yachts got into difficulty.
The volunteer crew spent six hours at sea on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday morning after responding to a request to launch their all weather lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard.
The call came just before 11:00pm on Saturday night.
An 11.2m yacht with seven on board was in difficulty two nautical miles north east of Kilmurvey Bay.
The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Declan Brannigan and a full crew on board headed straight for the yacht.
Conditions at the time of launching were tough, with poor visibility, squally showers, a west to south-west force 5 wind blowing and a 3m sea swell.
Arriving on scene, the crew assessed the situation and were happy the crew aboard the yacht were in good health and in no immediate danger. The yacht was drifting as the steering had stopped working completely.
A decision was made to establish a tow line but due to the conditions it was difficult to maintain.
A discussion between the lifeboat crew and the Coast Guard resulted in Casla Coast Guard being tasked to the scene, 1.5 nautical miles south of Cannon Rock light. A tow line was established between Casla Coast Guard and the yacht. The lifeboat proceeded to escort the vessels into Casla Bay where in calmer waters, the Casla Coast Guard was able to get the yacht alongside them and guide her safely into Rossaveal Harbour.
Meanwhile, the volunteer crew were also requested to launch the lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard just before 6:30pm last Friday evening.
A 15m yacht was in difficulty in Casheen Bay, north of the Aran Islands.
The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Declan Brannigan and a full crew and headed straight for the yacht.
Conditions at the time of launching were challenging with moderate visibility, a 2-3m sea swell and a south-west force 6 wind blowing.
Arriving on scene, the crew assessed the situation, and established the yacht with one person onboard was in no immediate danger.
A tow line was established and once clear of a nearby fish farm, the sailor was able to start his engine and the tow line was dropped.
The lifeboat guided the yacht out past Ceann Golam and towards Cannon Rock and the entrance to the channel for Rossaveal harbour. The yacht proceeded safely towards the harbour unaided.
Speaking after the call outs, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Declan Brannigan said: 'Saturday was a long night for the volunteer crew but the benefits of regular training paid off. Experience is earned from showing up. I am extremely proud of how they conducted themselves.”