Donate now

Baltimore RNLI provides assistance to a yacht with one person onboard

Lifeboats News Release

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide assistance to a yacht with one person onboard that got into difficulty off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork, last night (Monday 30 September).

RNLI/Micheal Cottrell

Baltimore RNLI bringing yacht alongside pier in Baltimore following callout

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.42pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 52 foot yacht which was 8 miles south east of Baltimore. The skipper and sole occupant of the yacht had raised the alarm following an accident onboard.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 9.09pm. Volunteer crew members Maria Coleman and Emma Geary were immediately put aboard the casualty vessel to assist the lone sailor. Coxswain Pat Collins assessed the situation and decided that due to the sea state at the time and the fact the skipper was injured undertaking a tow was necessary. The lifeboat passed a tow to the yacht and the lifeboat and casualty vessel were underway by 9.40pm. The lifeboat then proceeded to Baltimore Harbour, the nearest safe and suitable port, arriving at 22.48pm. The skipper was handed over to the care of the HSE ambulance staff who were waiting on the pier in Baltimore. Once the casualty vessel was secured at the pier, the lifeboat returned to the station, arriving at 11.10pm.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Pat Collins, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Colin Whooley, Maria Coleman, Don O’Donovan, Emma Geary and Kieran O’Driscoll. Conditions at sea during the call were choppy with a north easterly force 3-4 wind and a 2m sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘If you get into difficulty whilst out at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [email protected]

RNLI/Micheal Cottrell

Baltimore RNLI on a callout on 30th September 2024

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

Categories