Fenit RNLI responds to distress flare near Smearwick Harbour
Following a call for assistance from Valentia Coast Guard at 1.23am this morning (Monday 23 July), the volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat with a full crew of seven onboard having responded within minutes to their pager alert.
Reports had been received that a red flare distress signal had been seen in Ballydavid, West Kerry near Smerwick Harbour.
A thorough search of the area was conducted by Fenit RNLI for a number of hours but there were no signs of people in danger found.
Valentia Coast Guard and Fenit RNLI were satisfied that the search had been comprehensive and the lifeboat was stood down.
The Fenit RNLI lifeboat returned to Fenit at 5am this morning.
In a separate call for assistance by Valentia Coast Guard on Tuesday evening of last week, 17 July, Fenit RNLI responded to a call for assistance at Sauce Creek located between Brandon and Ballydavid. The all-weather lifeboat was launched and went to the scene where a vessel had gotten into difficulty. The vessel was towed to Brandon Pier and all people were returned to shore safely.
Gerard O'Donnell, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at said: 'We would remind everyone to be vigilant while using the sea and to respect the water particularly during this spell of good weather. If at any time you see someone in trouble in the water or need assistance at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard'.
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