Helm Aidan O'Connor has reached a similar milestone in this year's 200th anniversary of the RNLI. Not 200 years, but his 200th 'shout' on the Crosshaven Lifeboat. He is the first to attain that particular honour at the Cork Harbour station.
Aidan has been at the helm for 24 years, from the station's inception in 2000.
Sunday (July 7) evening's 'Shout' started with a request from Valentia Coast Guard to the volunteer crew at 7.20 pm to a 24' motor boat with engine problems on the Curlane Bank. The only person onboard deployed his anchor before requesting assistance from the Coast Guard.
The crew made good progress in calm conditions to the position before boarding the vessel. The crew assessed the situation before establishing a tow to the owner's mooring at Drake's Pool on the Owenabue River.
The lifeboat crew consisted of Aidan O'Connor, Ian Venner, David Venner, and Conor Barry. The Shore Crew were Moira Kavanagh, Denise Marionne, Hugh Mockler, Alan Venner, James Fegan and Susanne Deane. Hugh Tully was the Launch Authority.
The lifeboat returned to the station at 8.55 pm, was recovered, washed down and refuelled before being declared ready for service at 9.30 pm.