Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo – A major multi-agency search operation is continuing today off the coast of Mullaghmore, County Sligo, for a fisherman who is believed to have fallen overboard from his vessel late yesterday evening.
The alarm was raised shortly before 8:00 PM on Thursday when a member of the public notified the Malin Head Coast Guard coordination centre about a fishing vessel that had run aground approximately two nautical miles (about 4km) south of Mullaghmore Head, near Cliffoney Beach. The vessel was discovered with its engine still running, leading authorities to conclude that the sole occupant had gone overboard.
Search Co-ordinated by Malin Head Coast Guard
The search is being co-ordinated by the Malin Head Coast Guard and is concentrating on the waters off Mullaghmore and extending out into Donegal Bay.
Assets involved in the ongoing search include:
- The Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter R118.
- The Killybegs Coast Guard Unit.
- RNLI Lifeboats from Bundoran, Árainn Mhór (Aranmore), Ballyglass, and Sligo.
- Gardaí are also providing assistance on shore and coordinating with search teams.
- A number of local fishing vessels have voluntarily joined the operation, lending crucial local knowledge and support.
An RNLI spokesperson confirmed that Sligo Bay and Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboats were diverted from a routine training exercise shortly before 8:00 PM following the report of the aground vessel. The search remains active, with all crews working continuously to locate the missing fisherman.
