Courtmacsherry RNLI called out to 40ft yacht on Easter weekend
The Courtmacsherry RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat was called out at 7.40 pm last night (Saturday 20 April) to go to the aid of a 40 ft yacht which sought assistance 34 miles off Courtmacsherry and due south of the Seven Heads peninsula in West Cork.
Under Coxswain Sean O' Farrell and with five lifeboat crew, the lifeboat was quickly away on the Bank Holiday Saturday and immediately made its way at full speed to the area of the casualty vessel. The yacht had four people on board and was on route to Spain when they lost engine power two days ago. Last night they were losing all power when they sought assistance from the Coast Guard.
The lifeboat reached the yacht at 9.30pm and immediately took the vessel in tow. After a slow tow in good conditions the lifeboat and the casualty vessel arrived to the safe surrounds of the Castle Park Marina in Kinsale at 2.45 am this morning Sunday 21 April). The yacht had been drifting helplessly over the past few days in calm winds.
Courtmacsherry RNLI Voluntary Lifeboat Press Officer Vincent O Donovan praised the 16 Volunteer crewmembers who responded within minutes to help those in trouble on the sea and were prepared to sacrifice their Easter weekend.
The Crew for the long callout were Coxswain Sean O Farrell, Mechanic Tadgh McCarthy and Crewmembers Ken Cashman, Denis Murphy, Evin O Sullivan and Conor Tyndall.
Having been at sea for over eight hours, the Trent Class lifeboat Frederick Story Cockburn returned to its moorings in Courtmacsherry just after 4am.
Ends
Notes for editor:
As the fine weather continues over the weekend, a special appeal goes out to all , to be extra careful near the water on the coast or inland on this special Easter Holiday Season.
For further information contact Vincent O Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Station Press Officer Tel: 086 2530637 or email: [email protected]
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