Ballycotton RNLI assists four people after two vessels get into difficulty

Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat the Austin Lidbury was requested by Valentia Coast Guard at 11.25am today to a report of a fishing vessel with engine failure approximately five miles off Flat Head, south of Cork Harbour

Conditions were fresh with a strong Force 5-6 knot easterly wind and clear visibility.

Volunteer lifeboat crew with Ballycotton RNLI arrived to the scene at approximately 11.50am where they found the 13m catamaran fishing vessel being held in position by another fishing vessel. The crew of Ballycotton RNLI secured the vessel, ensuring the two crew onboard the boat were safe and then proceeded to tow the boat into Cork dockyard where it was moored safely.

Speaking following the call out, Peter O' Shea, Ballycotton RNLI mechanic said: ‘We were delighted to be of assistance and wish the fishing crew well. Time was of the essence today and if the lifeboat crew had not secured a line to the boat when they did, it could have ended up on the rocks due to the strong easterly winds.’

As the crew of Ballycotton RNLI prepared to return to the station they were alerted by radio to a report of a 6.5m semi rigid pleasure boat with engine trouble anchored in Cobh harbour with two people on board. Ballycotton RNLI secured the boat and towed it into Cobh where it was safely brought alongside the pontoon and secured. The two people on board were both wearing lifejackets and had a radio which they used to call for assistance.

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