VIDEO: Dramatic rescue after yacht beached for 3 days off Ireland

Two people have been rescued from a yacht that was beached off Achill Island, County Mayo, for three days.

In a statement, Achill Island Coast Guard said a multi-agency response was tasked to the beached yacht at Dooega Head on Friday afternoon (11 November).

The vessel, with a crew of two, had capsized and became stranded in dangerously high seas and gale-force winds three days prior, but no radio distress signal was sent.

The yacht then washed up against an inaccessible cliff face close to Dooega Head, south of Achill Island. It was only after one of the crew eventually managed to scale the dangerous cliffs and raise the alarm that the emergency services were notified.

Both crew members were transferred safely to Mayo General Hospital by helicopter.

It’s reported that both men were emaciated and dehydrated, but are expected to make a recovery. The men reportedly told rescuers that one of them was Spanish, while the second was from Colombia, and that they had been attempting to sail to Ibiza from the Caribbean when disaster struck.

On Saturday, Customs and Excise officers carried out an examination of the location, assisted by An Garda Síochána, according to the Irish Times.

It is understood no navigational equipment or identifying documentation was found. Nor was there any food or water on board.

“A challenging rescue for the crew of Rescue 118 and the Coast Guard volunteers from Achill Island Coast Guard,” a spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard said.

“One of the crew managed to scale the cliffs and raise the alarm. The Cliff Top Rescue team climbed Dooega Head ready to set up a climb while Rescue 118 assessed the scene below. The casualty was winched to safety and airlifted to Mayo University Hospital. Thanks to our colleagues in R118, An Garda Síochána and Achill Island RNLI, who assisted in the rescue.”

“If you see anyone in trouble in the sea or on the coast dial 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard,” they added.