Baltimore RNLI assists a yacht that was aground off the coast of West Cork

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 1.31pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 25 foot yacht with two people on board. The skipper of the yacht had raised the alarm after they became grounded on rocks near Barlogue.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 1.48pm. Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and after speaking with the skipper decided that undertaking a tow was necessary as the tide was dropping and the vessel needed to be pulled off the rocks. The lifeboat passed a tow to the yacht and managed to pull the casualty vessel free. Volunteer lifeboat crew member Maria Coleman was transferred to the casualty vessel to assist further in the journey to Baltimore and the lifeboat and casualty vessel were underway by 2.12pm. The lifeboat proceeded to Baltimore Harbour, the nearest safe and suitable port, arriving at 3.20pm. Baltimore RNLI volunteer crew members assisted the skipper and crew of the casualty vessel in securing the yacht to the pier in Baltimore. Once the skipper was happy, the lifeboat departed and made the short journey back to the station, arriving at 3.42pm.

There were six volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Micheal Cottrell, and crew members Jerry Smith, Eoin Ryan, Ollie O’Mahony and Maria Coleman. Conditions at sea during the call were relatively calm with a north westerly force 5-6 wind and a 1m sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘The skipper did the right thing in calling for immediate assistance as the keel of the yacht was wedged on the rock and there was a danger of the yacht falling over as the tide continued to drop. Should you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Callanan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, 0872906607 or email [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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