Baltimore RNLI assists two sailors after yacht loses power off Mizen Head

The alarm had been raised earlier in the afternoon following a report from the crew of a 26ft yacht that they had lost all battery power. At the time the occupants were comfortable sailing the yacht towards Baltimore so the lifeboat was put on standby until they were closer. Due to a confused sea in a strong tideway the yacht was making very little progress towards land and required assistance to get to port so the volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 7.20pm

The lifeboat helmed by Micheal Cottrell and with crew members Ryan O’Mahony and Colin Rochford onboard met the yacht 3 miles west of Cape Clear Island at 7.57pm.

One of the lifeboat crew went aboard the yacht to assist with rigging a tow, and once the tow was established at 8.05pm a course was set for North Harbour in Cape Clear. Conditions at the time were relatively good with a force 3 south westerly wind and a sea swell of 1m.

The lifeboat crew brought the vessel safely into Cape Clear’s North Harbour at 8.55pm and returned to the lifeboat station in Baltimore, arriving back at 9.10pm.

Shore crew in attendance at the station were Pat O’Driscoll, Seamus O’Driscoll and Marty O'Driscoll.

Speaking following the call out, Micheal Cottrell, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Helm said: ‘The sailors did the right thing in initially alerting people ashore to their predicament and then seeking the assistance of the lifeboat before darkness when their situation wasn’t improving. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Kate Callanan Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 290 6607 or Baltimore RNLI Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Cyril Thornton Tel: 087 9876718

For more information please contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 0871254124 or 018900460 or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.