Courtmacsherry RNLI rescues two people onboard two speedboats
Courtmacsherry RNLI were called out this evening Sunday (25 August) at 8pm, by the Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, to go to the immediate aid of two speedboats with two people onboard which had got into difficulties in separate incidents off Blind Strand on the Seven Heads co
The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Val Adnams under Coxswain Kevin Young and a crew of five assembled quickly when the Coast Guard alerted all that one of the boats had put out its Mayday message that they were in danger of sinking.
Underway in less that 10 minutes, the lifeboat reached the area of the boats at 8.22pm. A local RIB owner who was cruising nearby also responded to the request on the Mayday call for help and was a vital link in being on scene immediately to help pull the first boat away from the rocky shore and help with the bailout of water from the second boat.
Once stability was regained on the smaller vessel, and with a difficult offshore wind blowing off Blind Strand tonight, the lifeboat crew decided to secure the bigger speedboat, which had developed mechanical difficulties, in a towing position and a member of the lifeboat crew was put on to the smaller craft. Both casualties were brought back to the safe surrounds of the Courtmacsherry Pier, arriving just after 9.40pm.
Brian O'Dwyer, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'It was good that all ended well this evening on what could have been very dangerous incidents for all concerned. The fast response of the local rib owner to call for help on the VHF radio Mayday call was vital. We urge everyone at sea on boats to make sure that lifejackets are worn at all times and call for help immediately by dialling 112 or 999 and asking for the Coast Guard.'
The volunteer crew onboard tonight’s call out were Coxswain Kevin Young, mechanic Tadgh McCarthy and crew members Simon Locke, Denis Murphy. Dean Hennessey and Taylor Murphy. For Taylor Murphy, it was his first callout on the Val Adnams after completing his intensive recruitment training over the past 18 months and a special one it was to be as he was accompanied by his family members Dean and Denis (father).
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