Kinsale RNLI called out for third time over Bank Holiday Weekend

Miss Sally Anne Baggy II - Never Fear, Baggy’s Here launched at 2:45pm to assist a 20ft sailing boat with two people on board. When the lifeboat arrived on the scene, close to the Old Head of Kinsale, the vessel was taking on water and in danger of sinking. After assessing the situation, it was decided to transfer a crew member onto the bow of the stricken vessel to raise the hull and slow the ingress of water. This stabilised the boat, which was taken under tow and brought safely to Kinsale’s main pier.

Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat helm Jonathan Connor said: ‘The two people on board played it by the book and were able to give the Coast Guard the necessary information to enable us to quickly find them. One had radio training and both were wearing lifejackets, which are essential if you are going on the water.

'Every year, around 200 people drown in the coastal waters around the UK and Ireland. Research has proven that wearing a lifejacket can increase your chances of survival by up to four times if you’re immersed in cold water, so whatever your activity, wearing a well-fitted, well-maintained and suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid could save your life.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Tricia McLernon, Kinsale RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 083 152 9282 email: [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 00353 87 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.