Two call outs in one day for Baltimore RNLI

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.40am, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 45 foot yacht with one person on board, which had got into difficulty at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour. The skipper and sole occupant of the yacht had raised the alarm after they suffered engine failure and needed help.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 8.47am. Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and after speaking with the skipper decided that undertaking a tow was necessary. Two Baltimore RNLI crew members, Emma Geary and Kieran O’Driscoll, went aboard the casualty vessel to assist with rigging a tow from the lifeboat to the yacht. The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht the short journey to the pier in Baltimore, arriving at 9.05am. Once the skipper was happy that the yacht was secured, the lifeboat departed and was back on station at 9.15am.

There were five volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Jerry Smith and crew members Emma Geary, Pat Collins and Kieran O’Driscoll. Conditions in the harbour this morning were calm with a northerly force 1-2 wind and no sea swell.

At 4.12pm this afternoon, the volunteer lifeboat crew were once again requested by the Irish Coast Guard to launch their all-weather lifeboat, this time to provide a medical evacuation for someone living on Cape Clear Island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 4.33pm and after a quick assessment by a Casualty Care lifeboat crew member, the casualty was brought by stretcher onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 4.50pm and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 5.10pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Jerry Smith, Emma Geary, Brian McSweeney, Pat Collins and Kieran O’Driscoll. Assisting at the lifeboat station were Simon Duggan, Micheal Cottrell and Ollie O’Mahony. Conditions in the harbour this afternoon were again calm with a south-westerly force 2-3 wind and no sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘It was a busy day for Baltimore RNLI with two calls in the one day and both times our volunteer crews were quick to respond. Should you get into difficulty at sea or on an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Callanan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, 087 290 6607, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.