Solo Round the World Sailor Rescued By Courtmacsherry RNLI

23rd June 2018

RNLI Coxswain Kevin Young (right) with the solo skipper Rees Hopkins Credit: RNLI

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was called out at 5.20 pm yesterday to go to the aid of a solo sailor in a 31–ft yacht that had got into difficulties 40 miles off the Seven Heads in West Cork. The yacht was on its voyage from The Azores when it developed mechanical difficulties and sought help.

Arriving at the scene at 7.30pm, the Lifeboat, under Coxswain Kevin Young, took the vessel in tow and commenced its long and slow journey back to Courtmacsherry Harbour.

"He was knocked down in the Atlantic Ocean on the way from the Carribean a few months ago"

courtmacherry rnli Courtmacsherry Lifeboat and the yacht as they approach Courtmacsherry Pontoon early this morning

The Lifeboat arrived safely back into Courtmacsherry Harbour at 2.15 am and berthed at the Pier pontoon. The lone skipper of the offshore yacht "Quadrille" was glad to be in the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry tonight after spending 10 days at sea on his voyage from the Azores off North Africa to Milfordhaven in Wales. The Skipper Rees Hopkins from Cardiff has been on a singlehanded round the world sailing trip for the past 11 months and he lost power with mechanical failure three days ago. By accident tonight he has landed in his 17th Country and mighty happy to do so. He was knocked down in the Atlantic Ocean on the way from the Carribean a few months ago and is looking forward to a few quieter and restful days in Courtmacsherry.

The crew of the Lifeboat on this callout were Coxswain Kevin Young, Mechanic Pat Lawton and crew members Dara Gannon, Ciaran Hurley, Austin McKenna and Evin O Sullivan.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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RNLI

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset