Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat was called out this morning to provide assistance to a yacht with one person on board that got into difficulty 25 miles south of Glandore, West Cork.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.35 am, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 30-foot yacht, with one person on board, which had become propped on a fishing net that was floating on the surface, 25 miles south of Glandore Harbour off the coast of West Cork.
The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 10 am. After making sure the person onboard was okay, Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and decided that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist.
Volunteer crew members from the lifeboat passed a tow to the yacht and once a secure tow was established, the lifeboat and casualty vessel were underway. The lifeboat proceeded to Baltimore Harbour. On arrival within the harbour, volunteer lifeboat crew member Brendan Cottrell was transferred onto the casualty vessel to assist with berthing.
Once the casualty vessel was secured at the pier in Baltimore, the lifeboat then returned to the station, arriving at 1.40 pm.
Five volunteer crew were onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Pat Collins, Brendan Cottrell and Sean McCarthy. Conditions at sea during the call were calm with a north easterly force 3 wind, a 1m sea swell and good visibility.
Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, said: ‘It has been a busy month so far for Baltimore RLNI who have been on a total of four call outs between 4th and 15th September including two medical evacuations from Sherkin and more recently Cape Clear Islands. Please remember, if you get into difficulty at sea or on the coast or an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’