Displaying items by tag: Lifeboats
Dunmore East Lifeboat Launches To Grounded Yacht
#RNLI - The volunteer lifeboat crew with Dunmore East RNLI launched on Tuesday morning (22 September) following reports that a 10m yacht was aground two miles north of Hook Head.
Fethard RNLI and Waterford's Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 were also called out to the scene, where the Dunmore East lifeboat crew saw that the vessel was sitting deep in the water and was perilously close to the rocks.
There was nobody on board the yacht, which may have drifted after coming free of its moorings.
First on scene was the Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat, whose crew established a tow with the yacht. However this proved unsuccessful.
Shortly after, Dunmore East arrived and put two crew on board the casualty vessel with a pump to try and drain the water from the yacht and establish another tow to recover it to a nearby harbour.
But once on board, the lifeboat crew discovered that the yacht had taken on a large amount of water and that it was in danger of sinking. When they attempted to establish a tow the vessel dangerously dipped low into the water and the attempt was abandoned.
The decision was then made to leave the vessel as it was determined that the crew were in danger if they stayed on the yacht.
Commenting on the callout, Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat press officer and crew member Neville Murphy said: "The yacht had taken on a huge amount of water and as such it proved too difficult to safely recover her.
"Once it was established that there was no threat to life and it was clear it was too dangerous to safely recover the vessel we made the right decision to step away.’
Las of late in Tuesday the vessel was still aground, but an attempt may be made to recover her at low water.
Wicklow Lifeboats Assists Four On Fishing Boat
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat slipped her moorings shortly before midday yesterday (Tuesday 22 September) to assist a fishing vessel with mechanical problems about nine miles offshore.
The fishing vessel with four crew lost propulsion and was unable to make any headway due to problems with the propeller. The skipper contacted the Irish Coast Guard by marine VHF radio for assistance.
Under the command of coxswain Nick Keogh, the lifeboat was alongside the drifting vessel at 12.30pm. Conditions on scene were described as having a northerly Force 4 wind with a moderate sea state.
A towline was quickly established and the trawler was towed back to Wicklow Port. The lifeboat crew secured the fishing vessel safely alongside the South Quay before 2pm.
The crew on the callout were Keogh, mechanic Brendan Copeland, Tommy McAulay, Tommy Murphy, Carol Flahive, John Vize and Dean Mulvihill.
Skerries RNLI Respond To Submerged Car On Gormanston Beach
#RNLI - Skerries RNLI responded to reports of a car submerged on Gormanston beach yesterday afternoon (17 September) following an emergency call to the coastguard.
Shortly before 2.30pm, Skerries RNLI were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard to investigate a submerged car on Gormanston beach after they received a 999 call from a concerned member of the public.
The lifeboat – with Joe May at the Helm and crewed by AJ Hughes, Laura Boylan and Ian Guildea – launched and made their way directly to Gormanston Beach. Conditions at the time were relatively calm with Force 3 westerly winds.
After arriving on scene, the crew located the car and were able to confirm that it was unoccupied.
As a precaution, Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 carried out a sweeping search of the coastline while the lifeboat carried out a search of the immediate area. Skerries Coast Guard unit also conducted a search of the shoreline.
Nothing was found and Gardaí later confirmed that the car had been reported as abandoned.
Speaking after the callout, Skerries RNLI lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: "This was a positive outcome as it turned out nobody was in danger. The member of the public did the right thing by dialling 999 and asking for the coastguard."
Clifden Lifeboats Launch To Injured Angler
#RNLI - Clifden RNLI launched to an emergency medical situation at 12.50pm yesterday (Thursday 17 September) in Clifden Bay.
A male angler had become unwell and as a result sustained a head injury, leaving him in need of urgent assistance.
The Irish Coast Guard requested the immediate launch of both Clifden RNLI’s Atlantic 85 and all-weather lifeboats.
Clifden RNLI volunteer crew members Kenneth Flaherty and Barry Ward boarded the angling boat and administered first aid to the casualty. Oxygen was administered and the casualty was placed in the recovery position.
Lifeboat helm Thomas Davis then requested two more crew members from the all-weather lifeboat, which was standing nearby, to assist in the transfer of the casualty to a stretcher.
Speaking after the callout, Clifden RNLI helm Thomas Davis said: "The lifeboat crew responded quickly and calmly to this situation, in which the casualty was seriously unwell.
"Having the additional crew members nearby in the second lifeboat was vital and the total time between the pagers going off and recovery to shore was around 38 minutes."
The casualty and another angler were transferred to shore where an ambulance was waiting. At this point the coastguard helicopter Rescue 118 had also landed and with the assistance of Cleggan Coast Guard, he was transferred to University College Hospital Galway.
Clifden RNLI lifeboat operations manager John Brittain added: "Well done to the Clifden volunteer crew members for a seamless rescue and for once again working well in conjunction with the coastguard and other emergency services."
Holocaust Survivor’s Legacy Helps Fund Larne's New Lifeboat
#RNLI - The Pistol Benefit Fund, set up in memory of Frederick (Fred) and Theresa (Terry) Pistol, has funded the new Larne RNLI D-class lifeboat, which will be named in an official ceremony at the East Antrim Boat Club this Saturday 19 September at 2.30pm.
All are welcome on the day for the decication of the lifeboat, which is to be named Terry in memory of Fred Pistol’s beloved wife Theresa.
The Pistol Benefit Fund has its origins in Frederick Pistol’s incredible life story. Fred arrived in the UK as a 19-year-old refugee fleeing the Holocaust in Austria, with nothing more than the clothes on his back, and worked as a fitter until the Second World War started.
He joined the army, eventually becoming a major, and returned to England in 1946 after serving abroad. He married Theresa, a pianist born in Westcliff-on-Sea, and discovered a passion for sailing, one that has been passed down through the family.
Every boat Fred bought was named Terry after his wife, and Larne RNLI’s new D-class lifeboat will also proudly bear the name.
The Pistol family has supported the work of the RNLI for many years, and Fred and Theresa’s son Neil will attend the naming ceremony in Larne along with his wife Viveca and two of their three children, Benjamin and Joshua.
Other close friends will also be travelling to Larne for the special occasion, which, in a happy coincidence, is being held on the date of Fred’s birthday, something which has delighted the family.
The D-class lifeboat remains the workhorse of the RNLI as it has for nearly 50 years. The inflatable craft is highly manoeuvrable and specifically suited to surf, shallow water and confined locations – often working close to cliffs, among rocks or even in caves. Importantly it can also be righted manually by the crew in the event of capsize.
Equipment includes fitted and hand-held VHF radio, night vision equipment and first aid, including oxygen. It has a maximum speed of 25 knots and can carry three crew members and five survivors.
Allan Dorman, Larne RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: "We are grateful to the Pistol Benefit Fund for the generous gift which has funded our new lifeboat and we look forward to welcoming Neil and his family, along with friends of the Pistols to Larne.
"The funding that made our new lifeboat possible has come through a wonderful couple with an incredible history. We in Larne RNLI will remember Frederick and Theresa through the work of the lifeboat and the volunteer crew and we will be the proud custodians of it for many years to come."
Wicklow Lifeboat Launches To Fishing Vessel Breakdown
#RNLI - Wicklow's all-weather lifeboat slipped her moorings at 11.42am yesterday morning (Sunday 13 September) to assist a broken-down fishing boat off Wicklow Harbour.
The fishing vessel, on passage north out of Arklow, sustained gearbox failure about one mile off Wicklow Port.
Wicklow's RNLI crew were alongside the drifting vessel three minutes after launch, and a towline was quickly established.
Conditions in the bay at the time recorded a sea state slight, overcast with squally showers and a southwesterly Force 4 wind.
The fishing vessel, with two crew, was towed into Wicklow Harbour and safely secured alongside the south quay shortly after noon.
This was the second callout in 24 hours for the volunteer crew, which on this mission comprised second coxswain Ciaran Doyle, second mechanic Lisa O'Leary, Terry Sillery, Kevin Rahill, Carol Flahive, Dean Mulvihill and Peter McCann.
RNLI Is Official Charity Partner Of 2015 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
#RNLI - The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has chosen the RNLI to be its 2015 official charity partner.
The announcement was made in Cork city yesterday (Thursday 10 September) as the RNLI launched a fundraising prize draw that will see raffle tickets sold throughout Cork and beyond in the run up to this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival from 23-26 October.
Tickets cost €5 with entrants in with a chance of winning one of three top prizes: a trip for two for five nights to New Orleans including flights and accommodation; two tickets to Van Morrison and one night's bed and breakfast at the Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel in Dublin; and a two-night midweek bed and breakfast break at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.
The RNLI has eight lifeboat stations in Co Cork located in Youghal, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Union Hall, Baltimore and Castletownbere. Last year alone, Cork RNLI lifeboats launched 163 times to a variety of callouts bringing 255 people safely to shore.
Mary Creedon, RNLI community fundraising manager, said the lifesaving charity was delighted to be chosen as the festival's 2015 charity partner.
"We are delighted to be associated with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival which brings thousands of people to Cork every year.
"The RNLI’s fundraising raffle will take place on Sunday 25 October and the proceeds raised will go a long way in helping the RNLI to equip its lifeboat stations and train its volunteer crews in Munster so they can continue to save lives at sea.
"In addition, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will provide an excellent platform for the RNLI to raise awareness of its search and rescue service and safety education and we are pleased with that."
Crosshaven RNLI helm Ritchie Kelleher added: "As volunteers we rely on the generosity of the public to fund the work we do - to train, to respond to our pagers, to fuel our lifeboat, to run our station, and most importantly to help anyone who gets into difficulty at sea."
Meanwhile, Fiona Collins, chair of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival said: "The RNLI plays a huge role in Co Cork with lifeboats spread from Youghal to Castletownbere as well as across the surrounding counties of Kerry, Waterford and Clare.
"We felt it was a good time to show our support for a charity that does such great work in saving lives at sea and it is our hope that people will show their support for the RNLI in Munster by digging deep and buying a raffle ticket ahead of the upcoming festival."
Galway Lifeboat Rescues Two From Powerboat
#RNLI - Galway RNLI's lifeboat launched yesterday evening (Tuesday 8 September 2015) to rescue two people from a 25-foot powerboat that got into difficulty off Salthill on Galway Bay.
The cabin cruiser went aground west of Blackrock Tower at about 6.40pm as the tide was going out.
Galway's lifeboat crew launched at 7pm and, on arrival at the scene, two crew members disembarked and swam to the powerboat, where a father and son were still on board.
The lifeboat voluntreers then anchored the boat and escorted the two men safely to Blackrock. Much later that evening the lifeboat returned to the powerboat to refloat it at high water.
Galway RNLI helm David Oliver says the two people were not hurt in the incident. “They were new to boating and it was a lesson learned for them,” he says.
The volunteer lifeboat crew on this callout were Oliver, Dan King, Stephanie Carr and Ian O’Gorman.
Courtmacsherry Lifeboat In Callout To Swimmer Off Kinsale
#RNLI - The Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather lifeboat was called out at 2.20am this morning (Monday 7 September) to go to the aid of a swimmer that had got into difficulty in a dangerous rip current off Garrettstown Strand near the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The lifeboat, under coxswain Sean O'Farrell and a crew of six, were away very quickly and proceeded at pace to the location of the incident. Also tasked were the coastguard unit from the Old Head of Kinsale and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford, Rescue 117.
As the lifeboat arrived on scene within 15 minutes, under the cliffs off Garrettstown Strand, the crew used their searchlights to light up the area.
The swimmer got ashore and, with the assistance of the Old Head Coast Guard Unit, was transferred to the coastguard rescue vehicle until the HSE ambulance and Rescue 117 arrived. The casualty was then transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.
It was a busy 12 hours for Courtmacsherry RNLI as earlier on Sunday evening (6 September) at 6.25pm, it was tasked by Valentia Coast Guard to go to an area where two kayakers were reported to be in difficulty off the Seven Heads in Courtmacsherry Bay.
A member of the public had reported the incident and again the lifeboat with a crew of seven were away in minutes.
They carried out an extensive search of the Seven Heads coastline and it was soon established that the kayakers had got ashore safely.
Speaking on the Strand in Garrettstown this morning, Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat operations manager Brian O'Dwyer said: "I want to say a hugh thanks to the fast response of the lifeboat crew and all the rescue services who rose from their beds quickly at 2.20am this morning to respond to a potentially very dangerous incident here off Garrettstown.
"We had enough for two volunteer lifeboat crews responding within minutes and great credit is due to these, who always respond immediately whether the call is by night or day and in all types of weather condition, when the lifeboat pagers alert them."
Arklow Lifeboat Aids Mussel Dredger Taking On Water
#RNLI - Following an alert by pager on Saturday afternoon (5 September), Arklow RNLI’s lifeboat Ger Tigchleaar was launched within minutes to the aid of the casualty vessel that was reported to be taking on water and at risk of sinking.
The volunteer lifeboat crew proceeded to the scene and after locating the fishing vessel 2.4km east of Mizen Head, it was established that the 44-metre mussel dredger was taking on large volumes of water, but was not in immediate risk of sinking as the vessel's own pumps were keeping it afloat.
The skipper of the mussel vessel requested the Arklow lifeboat to standby to assist should the situation worsen and escort the them back to Arklow Harbour.
Upon arrival back at Arklow, where all crew came ashore safely, the vessel was grounded on the slipway to prepare for repairs to be made. At this point the casualty vessel's pumps failed.
Immediately the Arklow lifeboats crew rendered assistance and put crew and a salvage pump aboard to help empty the hull of water. They assisted in stemming the ingress of water and making a temporary repair using one of the lifeboat crew's trademark yellow wellies as part of the temporary fix.
Speaking following the incident, Arklow RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Mark Corcoran said: “Thankfully the skipper of this vessel made the call for help early. When you are going to sea in any vessel always plan for the worst, always carry a means of calling for help and never hesitate in making the call to 999 or 112 or contacting the coastguard via marine VHF.:
Arklow RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew for this callout were Brendan Dillon, Michael Fitzgerald, Geoff Kearnes, Jimmy Myler, Eddie McElheron, Leigh Downey and Craig O’Reilly.