Courtmacsherry RNLI in two separate call outs off Cork coast

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather Trent Class lifeboat Frederick Stormy Cockburn was called out at 10.05am today (Thursday) to go to the aid of a diver who had got into difficulties diving on the Lusitania wreck, 12 miles off the Seven Heads in West Cork.

Under Coxswain Mark John Gannon and a crew of five, the lifeboat was underway within minutes. The distress alarm was raised by fellow dive crew members on the site and the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 and a nearby Naval vessel were also tasked to the scene.

The lifeboat reached the casualty area within 35 minutes. The diver was taken onboard the Naval Vessel George Bernard Shaw and further airlifted by the Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter onwards to Cork University Hospital and then to Galway Hospital. The lifeboat remained on scene as the other divers came to the surface.

As this operation concluded, the lifeboat received another Mayday call to a 30ft yacht in difficulty off the Seven Heads coastline. The lifeboat located this casualty in 20 minutes and proceeded to tow the stricken vessel back to the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry Pier.

Commenting on this morning's call outs , Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O'Dwyer praised all the crew for a very fast response and great professionalism as shown on two differing and difficult assignments.

The crew onboard today's calls were Coxswain Mark John Gannon, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Chris Guy, Austin McKenna, Dara Gannon and Conor Dullea.

Ends

RNLI Media Contact

For further information if required contact Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat LPO Vincent O Donovan at 086 2530637 or Lifeboat House at 023 8846600.

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.