A search operation for a man reported missing off Oileán Mhic Dara in the Carna area of Conamara, Co Galway, has been scaled down for the evening.
A lifeboat crew from Clifden will continue efforts to locate the man around Oileán Mhic Dara tonight.
All other Irish Coast Guard crews will return tomorrow morning at 9am to resume the search along with air assistance.
A shore line search will also commence tomorrow following a briefing at Mása Boathouse at 11am.
Today's search had beenoverseen by the Irish Coast Guard and involves RNLI crews from Clifden and the Aran Islands, along with several local fishing vessels.
The search effort had been focused on an area from Oileán Mhic Dara to Ceann Mhása. South westerly winds had made conditions more challenging for those involved.
It is understood that the missing man was last seen trying to retrieve a dinghy which had drifted away from its mooring, after he and his wife had gone ashore during a sailing trip.
A mayday call was issued from a vessel near Oileán Máisean, a short distance offshore from Carna, shortly before 6pm yesterday.
Cleggan Coast Guard personnel carried out a drone survey and rescue helicopters were also been deployed to assist in the search, since it commenced.
A shoreline search was carried out in a further effort to locate the missing man.
Earlier, James Mullen, Coxswain of the RNLI Clifden Lifeboat, said conditions yesterday "weren't too bad" and were favourable for searching, but things had taken a turn today.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, he said search operations ceased at about 2am this morning and resumed at about 5am.
"It is about a southwesterly force six, so it stirred up a bit of the sea now, so it is a bit challenging for searching," Mr Mullen said.
"Unfortunately, we have nothing to report as of yet ... we are concentrating ... out more at sea, and the inshore boat is dipping around in between the outcrops and the islands."
He added that the response was a testament to the local community.
"The amount of fishing boats that were out here yesterday evening... even as I'm speaking to you now, I’m looking at the locals here walking the shore with the coastguard," Mr Mullen said.
"We are hoping that maybe he has made it onto one of the islands or managed to scramble up on one of the rocks and he is just looking for help."
Coastguard John Draper from Valentia Marine Rescue said a coastguard helicopter from Shannon "is due to come on scene at 3pm" to join two Coastguard boats, "a rib and an inflatable", which are currently searching in the area.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Draper said the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat is also searching, so he said the search for the man is "comprehensive".
He said the search area is 12 nautical miles but "the focus is in around Oileán Mhic Dara where the gentleman went missing yesterday in the water after getting into difficulty".
Mr Draper described conditions "inside the islands as flat calm at the moment, perfect conditions for the drone to operate".
"So the Coastguard drone, if there was something sub-surface and the clarity of water is reasonable, they might pick that up.
"There is a lot of kelp in the area which makes it slightly difficult.
"There's some local divers diving in the area as well which may prove beneficial as well," Mr Draper said.
He said the search will continue until this evening and a "reassessment " will be made at 6pm.
Additional reporting Pat McGrath
