On the evening of August 13th, the Coast Guard received a distress call from Roberts Cove, reporting a person in an inflatable dinghy waving for help. The Crosshaven RNLI volunteer crew in Cork Harbour, consisting of Warren Forbes, Gary Heslin, Caoimhe Foster, and Claire Morgan, swiftly responded to the call, braving a challenging Northwesterly force five and a half metre swell as they raced towards the Cove located approximately 3 miles Southwest of Roches Point.
Upon arrival, the crew found a man in an inflatable dinghy who had been fishing and could not retrieve his anchor due to a shoulder injury.
Following a successful rescue operation, the individual was safely transferred into the care of the Crosshaven Coast Guard within Roberts Cove.
Helm, Warren Forbes, emphasised the dangers of using inappropriate watercraft at sea, urging the public to prioritise safety and adhere to proper equipment and clothing.
"These inflatable supermarket dinghies have no place at sea. They are dangerous and should only be used in swimming pools", Forbes said.
The RNLI shore crew and Launch Authority Hugh Mockler played vital roles in ensuring the successful outcome of the rescue operation.