#RNLI - Fenit RNLI launched to the rescue of a man whose boat capsized near Derrymore Island in Tralee Bay at the weekend.
Following a call for assistance from Valentia Coast Guard at 4.47pm on Saturday last (21 April), Fenit’s volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat and were on scene 10 minutes later.
Reports had been received of a person in the sea near Derrymore Island, but the man had managed to swim ashore by the time the lifeboat crew arrived, after having been in the water for some 30 minutes.
Weather conditions would have been calm when the man set out to sea but Force 4-5 south westerly winds had developed when the incident occurred.
The man, who did not require medical assistance, was brought by the RNLI to his overturned boat where it was righted. The boat was towed to Fenit Pier with its owner onboard the lifeboat. Gerard O’Donnell, lifeboat operations manager at Fenit RNLI, was at the station to meet the rescued man.
Using a salvage pump, the crew proceeded to help draw the water out of the sunken boat so it was in a position to be moved to a more protected area close by.
Speaking following the callout, Fenit RNLI helm Lee Sugrue said: “Our crew responded with a very quick launch time as we were in the vicinity of the lifeboat station at the time our pagers went off. Weather conditions had deteriorated over the course of late afternoon and we are very pleased that there were no casualties today.
“We would advise all seafarers to respect the water and always wear a lifejacket. If at any time you see someone in trouble in the water or need assistance at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”