
Castletownbere RNLI assists four on yacht in difficulty near the Fastnet Rock
Castletownbere RNLI was launched early this morning (Saturday 13 July) to assist a 32ft yacht, with four people onboard, which had lost its ability to manoeuvre three miles south of the Fastnet Rock.
The lifeboat received an alert at 6.15am from Valentia Coast Guard Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre requesting assistance for those on a yacht reporting mechanical and electrical difficulties.
Castletownbere RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Annette Hutton, was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Dean Hegarty with mechanic David O’Donovan and crew Joe Cronin, Donagh Murphy and William Power onboard.
The lifeboat located the vessel at 7.15am half mile off the Fastnet and weather on scene was described as very calm. The four sailors were safe and well.
The yacht was unable to manoeuvre and contact was made with the vessel and the decision was made to tow the vessel as it posed a potential navigational hazard to other vessels.
Castletownbere RNLI towed the vessel to Long Island in Roaring Water Bay and passed over the tow to the Schull Coast Guard rib which brought the yacht safely into Schull Harbour. The lifeboat left the scene at 8.10am.
Castletownbere RNLI Launch Authority Brendan O’Driscoll, praised the vessel's crew for seeking assistance at an early stage as it was located in a busy shipping lane and could have posed a serious navigational hazard to other vessels.
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