Kinsale RNLI called out twice in one day

During the first incident, the Kinsale RNLI lifeboat launched in response to a Mayday call from a yachtsman who believed he was on the rocks at the Sovereign Islands.  A search of the area, in poor visibility, failed to locate the vessel.  The Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat continued the search from Roberts Head west and eventually located the missing yacht aground in Rocky Bay.  A volunteer crew member from Crosshaven RNLI swam to the yacht with a towline and the lifeboat managed to refloat and tow it to deeper water.  Kinsale lifeboat took over and towed the vessel to safety in Oysterhaven.

At 7.06pm on Friday evening, the emergency pagers activated for a second time.  The RNLI lifeboat launched again, this time to aid a Drascombe Lugger that lost its bearings in heavy fog.  The small boat sought safety alongside the Irish Lights vessel, Grainne Ní Mháille, that was anchored near Sandycove Island.  The RNLI lifeboat was able to locate the Lugger and escort her back to her moorings. 

'It was a busy day for Kinsale RNLI but our volunteer crew are on standby 24/7 and ready to respond when the pagers go off,’ said Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John O’Gorman.

‘There are more boats on the water at this time of year and we would urge everyone to respect the water and ensure they have adequate safety measures on board including lifejackets, a means of communication, and ideally a GPS.  Always call the Coast Guard on 112 or 999 if you are in trouble, or if you see anyone else in trouble.’

Ends

RNLI Media contact
For more information please contact Tricia Tyson Kinsale RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 083 152 9282 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 [email protected]