Baltimore RNLI provides assistance to a yacht in difficulty
Baltimore RNLI was called out in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 24 August) to a yacht in difficulty south of Sherkin Island near Baltimore in west Cork.
The inshore lifeboat was launched at 12.31am at the request of the Irish Coast Guard to assist a 30ft yacht, with two people onboard, that was in difficulty in the Gascanane Sound less than 1 mile south of Sherkin Island.
The lifeboat with four volunteer crew onboard, helm John Kearney and crew members Ryan O’Mahony, David Ryan and Colin Rochford reached the casualty vessel at 12.50am. They assessed the situation and once the lifeboat crew were happy that the crew on board the vessel were okay, they escorted the vessel to the north pier in Baltimore. The lifeboat then returned to Baltimore lifeboat station, arriving at 1.46am. Assisting at the lifeboat station were Jerry Smith, Seamus O’Driscoll and Micheal Cottrell.
Conditions at the time were calm with a south easterly force 2-3 wind but visibility was poor due to fog.
Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Although they were not in any immediate danger, the crew of the yacht did the right thing in alerting the Coast Guard. At the time of the call there was heavy fog, and the area they were in is notorious for strong tides. If you get into difficulty at sea or on the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
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RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 2906607 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]
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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.
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