Union Hall RNLI rescues family of four after 15m cruiser strikes rocks
Union Hall RNLI rescued a family of four this morning (Thursday 1 August) after they issued a Mayday when their 15m cruiser struck rocks and started to rapidly take on water off Glandore Harbour in West Cork.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at 10.34am following the Mayday and asked to go to the scene west of Glandore Harbour.
The lifeboat helmed by Aodh O’Donnell and with crew members Shane Hurley and Jordan Limrick onboard, launched immediately and made its way the short distance south of Rabbit Island. Toe Head and Glandore Coast Guard units were also tasked.
Weather conditions at the time were cloudy but good with calm seas and a Force 1-2 north easterly wind.
Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the vessel had headed for shore due to the intake of water and the skipper had managed to beach the boat into the safety of Carrigillihy Harbour.
The crew assessed that the casualties were safe and well before transferring the two adults and two children onto the lifeboat and bringing them safely back to shore where they were made comfortable at the lifeboat station in Union Hall.
Speaking following the call out, Peter Deasy, Union Hall RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘This was quite a serious incident this morning and the family who were competent seafarers took immediate action and issued a Mayday when they knew they were in difficulty. They were all wearing their lifejackets at the time which is always important in situations like these.
‘As we continue to enjoy the summer, we would remind all users of the sea regardless of activity, to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication and always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.