Baltimore RNLI called out during Storm Francis to two yachts in difficulty

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.47am following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist two yachts, one with four people onboard, the other with two people onboard, that were in difficulty in Crookhaven during Storm Francis.

Baltimore lifeboat arrived at Crookhaven at 9.34am and found that the two yachts were both dragging their moorings in the strong wind and rough sea conditions. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their y-boat with two crew onboard, Kieran Collins and Micheal Cottrell. They secured extra lines from the yachts to moorings nearby and assisted one yacht by dropping an extra anchor upwind, to hold her steady. After talking to the yachtsmen and assessing that the vessels were now secure and holding, and that all people on board were safe and well, the y-boat was recovered and the lifeboat made its way back to Baltimore at 10.25am, arriving back at station at 11.22am.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Nigel Kehoe and crew members Aidan Bushe, Jerry Smith, Colin Whooley, Micheal Cottrell and Kieran Collins. Conditions at sea during the call were stormy, with a westerly force 9 wind, gusting 10-11 at times, and a 5m sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Micheal Cottrell, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Crewman said: ‘The skippers did the right thing in looking for assistance as soon as they knew their moorings weren’t holding, especially considering the storm hadn’t reached its full force at the time. If you think someone is in difficulty at sea or along 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 0872906607 or email [email protected] or contact 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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