Just hours after the annual Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat dinner dance ended on Friday night, a combination of high tide and heavy swell caused damage to Bundoran Lifeboat Station.
Crew began to arrive at the lifeboat station at around 7.20am and discovered the damage as the seas had broken down the main front door as well as the bottom panel in the large doors, behind which the lifeboat is kept.
This RNLI video taken from the RNLI Station shows he waves hitting.
Ahead of high tide again on Saturday evening, as a precautionary measure the lifeboat was moved to higher ground but remained on service throughout the period.
Lifeboat Operations Manager for Bundoran RNLI Tony McGowan said ‘despite the force of the sea, we only suffered a small amount of damage and we are happy to note that the lifeboat itself wasn’t damaged and remained available for service. It was an early start following the dinner dance on Friday night and we would like to thank all of those who turned out on the morning. I would also like to point out, having viewed CCTV of the time of the impact, it was remarkable how one big surge which was at least two metres higher than the rest caused the damage. It is easy to see how people can be caught out in such conditions and I would urge people to keep well away from the water in such circumstances.’
Image Courtesy: Shane Smyth, RNLI Bundoran
