Courtmacsherry RNLI in call out to 50ft yacht, with three people onboard
The Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather Trent class lifeboat was called out at 7am this Sunday morning (3 January) to go to the aid of a 50ft yacht with three people onboard which had got into difficulties four miles east of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of six were underway within minutes and in the cover of darkness, the lifeboat proceeded at top speed to the area of the casualty.
The seas were blowing force 4 to 5 in freezing conditions and the stricken vessel, which was on passage from Salcolme in the UK to Kinsale, had encountered heavy weather over the past 24 hours.
The vessel lost complete power off the Old Head of Kinsale and the crew requested immediate assistance. The lifeboat reached the yacht at 7.29am and the volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the situation and quickly proceeded to attach a tow line to secure the vessel.
Two lifeboat crew members Kevin Young and Paul McCarthy were also put on board the yacht to help those onboard and the lifeboat then proceeded at slow speed to the safe surround of the inner Kinsale Harbour. Both vessels docked safely at the Kinsale Yacht Club Marina at 9.05am and the crew onboard the yacht were very glad to be on safe ground again after an eventful morning.
Commenting on the call out, the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O'Dwyer thanked all the lifeboat crew members for their quick response from their beds early on a freezing morning when the Irish Coast Guard activated the distress bleepers. He praised the great dedication of the seven volunteer crew members and others who arrived, and put the interests of others as a priority in these difficult Covid times. He reiterated that it is so important to call the rescue services at 112 or 999 quickly once any incident occurs.
The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat crew involved in this morning’s call out were Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Tadgh McCarthy and crew Ken Cashman, Kevin Young, Paul McCarthy, Peter Noonan and Denis Murphy.
As we experience severe lockdown times once again, Courtmachserry RNLI would stress to all those that are partaking in any water activities or planning a visit to the coast over the month of January, to remember and follow RNLI safety advice below along with all new Government regulations and to stay safe in these different times for all rescue services.
�. Have a plan - check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage
�. Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water
�. Don’t allow your family to swim alone
�. Don’t use inflatables at all, at all on the sea.
�. If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float
�. In an emergency dial 999 or 112, and ask for the Coast Guard
Ends
Photo Detail
Picture of the crew as they arrived back from today’s call out.
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.
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