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Displaying items by tag: Laurence Cove

#rnli – Lifeboat crew with Castletownbere RNLI launched yesterday (30 July 2014) to help a couple who had become injured when the 40 ft yacht they were sailing on, at Lawrence Cove, got into difficultly. On arriving at the scene, the lifeboat crew had to board the vessel and treat the injured woman before bringing the couple to safety at Castletownbere harbour in Cork.

The call for help was raised at 1.28pm, with the lifeboat arriving on scene fifteen minutes later. A local passenger vessel had been passing when the couple got into trouble and was able to offer assistance.

When the lifeboat came alongside the yacht, three of the volunteer lifeboat crew boarded the vessel and administered first aid to the couple. They did not wish to move the woman as she had received injuries to her back, so the lifeboat crew stayed onboard the yacht and returned with it to the shore. On arrival they were transferred to Cork University Hospital.

Commenting on the callout Castletownbere RNLI crewmember Paul Stevens said, 'Thankfully conditions were calm and we were able to reach the couple quickly. It was also fortunate to have the assistance of the local ferry when the lifeboat crew arrived and we are very grateful to them. The couple had sustained injuries when their yacht had got into difficulty and our priority was to get them back to shore as quickly and comfortably as possible. We wish them both a speedy recovery.'

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.