Baltimore RNLI called out following report of an upturned vessel off Heir Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their in-shore lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 2.42pm. The Coast Guard had received a report from a member of the public that there was an upturned vessel sighted near Heir Island in West Cork.

Baltimore lifeboat arrived on scene to find a rigged laser sailing boat with no occupants on the shore. The lifeboat, with a volunteer crew of three aboard, conducted a search in the location of the vessel and along the shoreline of Heir Island. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter was also tasked to the scene and other vessels in the area joined in with the search. Conditions at the time were calm, with force 3 to 4 winds and good visibility.

While attempts were made by the Coast Guard to establish the owner of the sailing boat, reports came in that while sailing earlier that morning, the boat had got caught up on a static mooring. Unable to free the vessel, the sailor made their own way ashore, leaving the sailing boat fully rigged and stuck on the mooring. Some time later the boat came off the mooring by itself and came ashore and whilst lying on its side on the shoreline a member of the public came across it and raised the alarm.

Once Mizen Head Coast Guard had established that the sailor was located safe ashore, the lifeboat, helicopter and other resources were stood down. Baltimore lifeboat arrived back at station at 3.45pm.

The lifeboat had three volunteer crew onboard, Helm Youen Jacob and crew members Colin Rochford and Ryan O’Mahony. Rianne Smith, Eoin Ryan and Tom Kelly provided shore crew assistance at the lifeboat house.

Speaking following the call out, Gerald O’Brien, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘We are delighted that there was a good outcome with this situation. Always remember, if you get into difficulty at sea or witness a vessel in trouble from the shoreline, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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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

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: [email protected]

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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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