Crosshaven RNLI respond as five teenagers rescue man clinging to marker buoy
The volunteers of Crosshaven RNLI were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat yesterday evening (Sunday 23 August) to a report of a person in the water in the Ringabella/Fountainstown area of Cork.
On arrival, one adult had been taken from the water by a RIB which responded to the Irish Coast Guard PAN PAN radio call and was handing the casualty into the care of Crosshaven Coast Guard at Fountainstown beach. The younger casualty had made their own way ashore and was being cared for by the Irish Coast Guard. The Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford transported the two casualties to Cork University Hospital for a check up.
Crew on the service were Helm Ian Venner with Aoife Dinan, Susanne Deane and Jon Bermingham. Shore crew were Gary Heslin and Richie Leonard.
The RIB which responded was crewed by five 16-year-olds who were fishing in White Bay when they heard the PAN PAN call and responded immediately to the incident.
Coincidentally, three of the RIB crew have RNLI connections. Jamie Venner is the son of Ian Venner who was also the Helm on the service, Cillian Foster is a brother to Caoimhe Foster who is also Crosshaven RNLI crew and Richard McSweeney is the son of former Baltimore RNLI crew member Ciaran McSweeney. The other crew on board were Kate Horgan and Harry Pritchard.
Speaking following the call out, Jon Mathers, Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'Crosshaven RNLI commends the five youngsters for acting so professionally and swiftly in rescuing the casualty in need. Our future is safe in their hands.'
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