The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat "Val Adnams" was called into action at 5.04 pm on Saturday to assist a 25ft pleasure boat in distress off the Seven Heads coast in West Cork. The pleasure boat had issued a "Mayday" call for help when a fire broke out in its engine room. Under the command of Coxswain Ken Cashman and with a crew of 5, the lifeboat promptly responded to the emergency in favourable sea conditions.
The lifeboat reached the distressed vessel at 5.40 pm and provided necessary assistance. Additionally, the Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Boat "Lady Louise," skippered by Taylor Murphy, a member of the lifeboat crew, stood by to offer support. Fortunately, the crew of the pleasure boat managed to extinguish the fire and shut down the faulty engine. They were able to resume their journey using their second engine, with the lifeboat escorting them past the Old Head of Kinsale.
The pleasure boat safely arrived at Kinsale's Marina at 7 pm. Brian O'Dwyer, the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat voluntary Operations Manager, commended the swift response, emphasizing the potential danger of the situation and the importance of the timely "Mayday" call for help. He expressed relief that the incident was resolved without harm.
The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Crew involved in the rescue included Coxswain Ken Cashman, Mechanic Dave Philips, and crewmembers Peter Nunan, Denis Murphy, Dean Hennessy, and Kieran Boyle. This marked the second callout for the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat in three days.