Castletownbere RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched on Saturday afternoon (6 June) to a RIB with an engine fire just off Ardnakinna Lighthouse in West Cork.
The crew of the Annette Hutton were paged shortly before 2pm and the lifeboat launched minutes later under the command of deputy coxswain Sean Bawn O’Sullivan, with mechanic Donagh Murphy, coxswain Joe O’Sullivan and crew Joe Cronin, Seamus Harrington, Dave O’Donovan and William O’Driscoll.
The lifeboat arrived on scene 12 minutes later, about three quarters of a mile outside the harbour’s mouth. Conditions were blustery with a Force 6–7 westerly wind and a three-metre swell.
At this stage the boat skipper had quenched the engine fire and all five others on board were calm.
The lifeboat immediately took the RIB in tow to the calmer waters of Berehaven Harbour, where the casualties were taken aboard the lifeboat and the RIB towed alongside. All persons were found to be safe and well.
The lifeboat then returned to Castletownbere where the RIB was berthed and casualties went ashore.
The owner of the boat, Paul O’Shea, expressed his gratitude: “From the time I called the coastguard for help, Castletownbere lifeboat came into view within 11 minutes. I am very grateful to the crew for their speedy response and the professional manner in which they provided assistance.”
Lifeboat launching authority Brendan O’Neill said: “The skipper made the right call by contacting the coastguard immediately which meant that the lifeboat could launch and rescue the boat before conditions deteriorated.”
