Courtmacsherry RNLI responds to two call outs during hot weather

A passing boat had observed a 32ft yacht drifting near the Seven Heads coastline in West Cork and nobody was visible to them onboard although the boat sails were flapping.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five volunteers onboard, was underway in 10 minutes and proceeded at top speed to the area of the incident.

Once on scene at 8.46am, the crew observed a single handed sailor who was below deck and following a detailed enquiry, it was established that the person was not in need of any help. The lifeboat returned to base and was back at its mooring in Courtmacsherry at 9.20am.

As the hottest day of the year reached Courtmacsherry, the pagers were again activated at 2.52pm when a 30ft fishing boat with two people onboard was reported in difficulty off the Seven Heads coastline. The lifeboat again under Coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five was away in nine minutes and proceeded to the area of the reported casualty. On scene at 3.15pm, the crew assessed the situation and it was decided that as the fishing boat had lost its steering and couldn't make any safe onward progress, it was prudent to take the vessel under tow immediately. The lifeboat and sailors arrived back to the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry Pier at 4.20pm.

Speaking following the call outs, Mark Maguire, Courtmacsherry RNLI Launch Authority said: 'It was great to have so many crew members respond quickly to today’s call outs on one of the year's warmest days. Incidentally this was Mark’s first call out since becoming another valuable member of the station's Launch Authority team and he is no stranger to the water as he is a current Captain of an ocean going container ship on the high seas.

The crew on the call outs included Coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Stuart Russell, and crew members Kevin Young, Denis Murphy, Dave Philips, Luke Hanley, Ian McCarthy and Taylor Murphy.

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For further information, please contact Vincent O'Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer.

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