Baltimore RNLI launched to flare sighting at Gokane Point off West Cork

The volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted by the Irish Coast Guard at 10.15pm that there was a reported sighting of a distress flare near Gokane Point.

The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Kieran Cotter and with mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Pat Collins, Brian McSweeney, Don O’Donovan and Ryan O’Mahony launched and proceeded towards the area but were stood down a short time later by the Coast Guard when it was ascertained that it was a firework that had been set off and not a boat in distress.

The lifeboat returned to the station in Baltimore. Providing assistance at the boathouse was Jerry Smith.

Speaking following the callout, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘We would rather launch to a false alarm with good intent rather than not at all. We would remind anyone using fireworks in a coastal area that it is important to notify the Coast Guard beforehand. If you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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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.

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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.