Baltimore RNLI were called out twice on Tuesday (5 May), firstly to provide assistance to a yacht with one person onboard that got into difficulty within Baltimore Harbour and later to a medevac call on Cape Clear Island.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.40am following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 45-foot yacht with one person on board, which had got into difficulty at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour in West Cork.
The skipper and sole occupant of the yacht had raised the alarm after they suffered engine failure and needed help.
Within minutes the lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel in calm conditions. Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and, after speaking with the skipper, decided that undertaking a tow was necessary.
Two Baltimore RNLI crew members, Emma Geary and Kieran O’Driscoll, went aboard the casualty vessel to assist with rigging a tow from the lifeboat to the yacht.
The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht the short journey to the pier in Baltimore, arriving at 9.05am. Once the skipper was happy that the yacht was secured, the lifeboat departed and was back on station at 9.15am.
Later, at 4.12pm, the volunteer lifeboat crew were once again requested by the Irish Coast Guard to launch their all-weather lifeboat, this time to provide a medical evacuation for someone living on Cape Clear Island.
The lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 4.33pm and after a quick assessment the casualty was brought by stretcher onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 4.50pm and returned to the station in Baltimore, arriving at 5.10pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of a HSE ambulance crew.
There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat: coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Jerry Smith, Emma Geary, Brian McSweeney, Pat Collins and Kieran O’Driscoll. Assisting at the lifeboat station were Simon Duggan, Micheal Cottrell and Ollie O’Mahony.
Speaking following the call-outs, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer said: “It was a busy day for Baltimore RNLI with two calls in the one day and both times our volunteer crews were quick to respond. Should you get into difficulty at sea or on an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
