Courtmacsherry RNLI rescues lone sailor after yacht gets into difficulty
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat was called out this morning (Tuesday 29 June) at 9.10am, to go to the aid of a 32ft yacht with a lone sailor onboard that got into difficulties 15 miles south west of Courtmacsherry Bay in West Cork.
The all-weather lifeboat, Frederick Storey Cockburn under volunteer Coxswain Kevin Young and a crew of four were away quickly from their moorings, as a pan pan alert was issued by the Coast Guard, that the yacht had suffered a broken mast, disabled steering plus engine failure and required immediate assistance.
The yacht was at sea for the past 14 days while on passage from the Azores to Ireland when the incidents occurred in poor conditions over the past few days.
Once the lifeboat reached the casualty at 10.10am, Courtmacsherry RNLI Coxswain Kevin Young assessed the situation and as the yacht was completely disabled, a decision was taken to put the lifeboat towline on board the yacht and proceed under tow to the nearest port of Courtmacsherry.
The weather at sea had improved overnight and the lifeboat proceeded at a safe towing speed back to safe surrounds of the Courtmacsherry pontoon, while also putting one crew member onboard the yacht to help a very tired skipper as they took the yacht alongside while traversing the Harbour Channel and final arriving to the Village Pontoon at 1.15pm.
The skipper of the yacht suffered the mast break four days ago and without any sleep since in gusting weather, was glad to be on safe grounds of Courtmacsherry after being completely disabled at sea earlier this morning.
Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dwyer said: 'We are all so relieved that the crewmen was rescued so quickly this morning and I want to praise the great response of all the crew and officers who left their workplaces and rushed to the station, in order to help a fellow seaman in distress at sea this morning.'
The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat crew involved in this morning’s call out were Coxswain Kevin Young, mechanic Pat Lawton and crew members Tadgh McCarthy, Evin O Sullivan and Conor Tyndall.
Ends
Note to Editor
Of note today is that the crew and officers that responded to the call out included Station officer Martin McCarthy who recently received a Silver Medal from the RNLI for over 50 years of service at the station and current Crew member Conor Dullea who recently received his 30 year long service award as a crew member at the station.
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