Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat volunteers pagers activated at 02.19am this morning for a Cork Harbour service that was to last over three hours.
Valentia Coast Guard requested the crew to launch after a member of the public reported hearing continuous signaling by means of a fog horn in the upper Lough Mahon area and became concerned enough to dial 999 and report.
By 3am, the lifeboat crew were beginning a search pattern at the entrance to the Lough and searched the southern coastline to a point beyond Blackrock village before searching the north side of the Lough, back to Monkstown with nothing found.
The crew then returned to station at 05.15 am, refuelled and washed down the lifeboat, before declaring the lifeboat ready once again for service shortly before 6am. This call was regarded as a false alarm with good intent.
Commenting on the call, Patsy Fegan, Lifeboat operations manager said of the operation. “Its always hard for the crew to be roused from a deep sleep and spend all night on the water, before having breakfast and heading off to work. I am humbled by their commitment."
Helm on this service was Alan Venner with Derek Moynan, Aoife Dinan and David O’Leary. Shore crew was Robbie O’Riordan, Jenna O’Shea, Michael McCann, Patsy Fegan and James Fegan.