The Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat launched on Thursday, 15th August, after receiving a distress call from the skipper of a yacht. The vessel, which was en route from Wexford to Schull in West Cork, had suffered engine failure just a mile and a half south of Ballycotton Island.
Deputy Launch Authority Andy Browne approved the launch, and the Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury, was deployed. The lifeboat reached the scene at 7.50pm, and after assessing the situation, the decision was made to tow the yacht back to Ballycotton. With a secure tow line established, the ten-meter yacht was safely brought alongside Ballycotton pier by 8.37 pm.
Coxswain Eolan Walsh, reflecting on the incident, highlighted the favourable conditions and the quick actions of the yacht's crew in raising the alarm when the engine troubles arose.
The rescue mission involved volunteer crew members Eolan Breathnach, Mike Kenneally, David Casey, Adrian Erangey, Ronan Lynch, and Clare McCarthy.