Courtmacsherry RNLI rescues dog off rocks and pleasure boat at same time
The Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather lifeboat was called out at 5.20pm this evening (Friday 24 August) when a dog was reported to be stranded on remote rocks at the base of a steep Cliff near the Fuschia Walk in Courtmacsherry Bay.
The Coast Guard alerted the lifeboat and The Frederick Storey Cockburn under Coxswain Sean O'Farrell and a crew of five were underway immediately and reached the rocky cliff face in 15 minutes.
The potential danger was that people would attempt to climb down the steep cliff in an attempt to get to the stricken dog. The inflatable small rescue dingy was launched from the lifeboat and two crew members manoeuvred into the rocky creek and were able to persuade the black and white setter dog to come with them on board the dingy and head back to the Lifeboat. There were reasonable gusty winds at sea this evening which made the conditions tricky for working near the rocky cliff face. Safely back on board the Lifeboat, the dog was given a prime seat as the lifeboat prepared to head for home.
Minutes later, a pleasure boat that was nearby had got into difficulties after suffering engine failure and requested assistance. The lifeboat immediately went to the aid of the 21ft pleasure boat and took the causality in tow. On board the stricken vessel was its skipper and another dog. The lifeboat towed the casualty back to the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry Pontoon arriving at 6.45pm.
It was a case of a man and two dogs rescued this evening by the Courtmacsherry lifeboat and Martin McCarthy, Deputy Launching Authority of Courtmacsherry Lifeboat praised those who raised the alert regarding the dog, as this could have been a dangerous incident if people had attempted to climb down the cliff face. He was high in praise of all the crew this evening who took to the sea quickly and handled a tricky situation with a great deal of professionalism.
Safely back at the pontoon at Courtmacsherry Pier, there was an emotional reunion with the owner of the setter dog and she was in grateful appreciation of what the lifeboat had undertaken this evening.
The crew on this evening's call out were Coxswain Sean O'Farrell, mechanic Colin Bateman and crew members Donal Young, Conor Dullea, Paul McCarthy and Enda Boyle.
Ends
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