#RNLI - Thirteen people were brought safely ashore by Baltimore RNLI after their Fastnet Race yacht got into difficulty in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday 9 August).

The volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.05am that a yacht participating in the famous offshore race had lost its rigging some 26 miles south east of Baltimore in West Cork.

With seven crew on board — coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Pat Collins and crew members Jerry Smith, Brian McSweeney, Don O’Donovan, Sean McCarthy and Eoin Ryan — the lifeboat proceeded to the scene, arriving at 3.31am.

They found that the rod rigging on the 45ft yacht was still standing, however part of the outer rigging had failed and the mast was in danger of coming down. 

The crew of the yacht also informed the lifeboat team that their fuel had been contaminated, and they were running on a small container of spare fuel, which they estimated would only give them an hour’s motoring time.

Conditions at the time were choppy, with a north-westerly Force 4 wind and 1-1.5m swell. The yacht crew agreed that a tow would be best so while the lifeboat stood by, they secured the rig as best they could.

As soon as the lifeboat sent over the tow line, the engine of the yacht cut out. However, the tow was established and the lifeboat started to bring the yacht back to Baltimore.

During the tow, due to the unstable nature of the mast, the lifeboat crew advised everyone to stay below deck in case the mast came down. 

The lifeboat towed the casualty vessel to the fishing pier in Baltimore Harbour, arriving at 10am, where they were assisted by boathouse crew Aidan Bushe, Colin Rochford and Ryan O’Mahony.

Speaking following the callout, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat coxswain Kieran Cotter said: “Thankfully the rigging held and the experienced crew aboard the yacht managed to do the best that they could do to avoid injury and to secure and preserve the yacht’s rig under difficult circumstances.”

In other news, Courtmacsherry RNLI has more details of its launch to a Fastnet Race yacht with a broken mast some 13 miles off Galley Head, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Ten people were rescued from the 40ft vessel after it was disabled by a broken mast amid Force 3-4 north-westerly breezes.

The racing yacht was participating in the world’s largest offshore race and was one of a whole fleet of yachts that approached the turn at Fastnet Rock during the night.

Hours before, Baltimore’s lifeboat was called to rescue two people from a RIB who had been watching the yachts rounding the rock when their boat lost power.

#RNLI - Lifeboat crews from Ireland will feature in a new 12-part Last year alone, RNLI lifeboats in Ireland documentary for the BBC.

Saving Lives at Sea, showcasing the lifesaving work of the RNLI, starts next Wednesday 16 August at 8pm on BBC Two.

And the first episode will include the dramatic rescue of three fishermen from a sinking trawler and the rescue of 30 people from the Astrid tall ship in Kinsale.

The 12-part series features real rescues carried out by the charity’s lifeboat crews around Ireland and the UK, and gives a unique insight into the lives of the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew members, who rescue thousands of people and save hundreds of lives around our coastline every year.

From Ireland, the series will feature lifeboat crews from Castletownbere and Kinsale in Cork, Skerries in Dublin and Bangor on Belfast Lough.

Castletownbere will be in episode three, as the crew rescue a lone sailor in storm conditions and rescue two fishermen from a boat that sinks.

Saving Lives at Sea features real-life rescue footage accompanied by heart-warming and emotive testimonials from the crew and the people they rescue.

The series has been filmed over the past year, with lifeboat crews using RNLI and special cameras and welcoming filmmakers into their day-to-day life. Rescues from the RNLI’s archives are also revisited.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 1,136 times rescuing 1,649 people.

Saving Lives at Sea will be broadcast weekly from Wednesday 16 August to Wednesday 1 November on BBC Two at 8pm. The series is made for the BBC by Blast! Films.

#RNLI - Two people watching the Fastnet Race fleet round the famous rock from a RIB yesterday (Tuesday 8 August) were rescued by Baltimore RNLI when their boat lost power. 

The volunteer lifeboat crew, who were already on exercise in the area of Fastnet Rock, were alerted by a call from a nearby vessel at 3.15pm that another boat with two people onboard had lost the use of their engine.

The all-lifeboat was only two miles from the casualty vessel, a 7.5m RIB. Conditions at the time were good with a north-westerly Force 2-3 wind and a one-metre sea swell.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew established a tow and brought the vessel back to Baltimore Harbour in West Cork, securing her to the pontoon before returning to the lifeboat station at 4.20pm.

Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, commented: “Thankfully the lifeboat crew were on scene very quickly after the call was raised. 

“Baltimore RNLI has a strong connection to the Fastnet Race having been involved in a number of dramatic rescues over the years. The lifeboat crew regularly exercise during the famous race to be nearby in case they receive a call for help.”

Elsewhere, Wicklow’s all-weather lifeboat launched at on Monday night (7 August) to assist two sailors on a yacht in difficulties about two miles north-east of Wicklow Harbour.

The eight-metre yacht was on passage south when it developed engine problems. The skipper contacted the Irish Coast Guard for assistance as they were unable to make any progress due to the lack of wind.

Under the command of second coxswain Ciaran Doyle, the lifeboat was alongside the casualty six minutes after launching. Conditions in the area had a calm sea state with light airs and good visibility.

A towline was quickly established and the yacht was brought back to Wicklow Harbour, where it was safely secured alongside the East Pier before midnight.

#RNLI - Baltimore RNLI carried out a medevac on Sunday night (6 August) for a student on Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 10.11pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a female student who received an injury after a fall.

Once on scene, three of the volunteer crew went ashore and were brought by minibus to the casualty. There they administered care before transferring the injured girl back to the all-weather lifeboat. 

The lifeboat then returned to Baltimore lifeboat station at 11.40pm and handed the casualty over to the care of waiting HSE ambulance crew. 

Conditions at sea during the shout were calm with a westerly Force 3-4 wind and one-metre sea swell.

Speaking following the callout, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Kate Callanan said: “The lifeboat is often called upon to act as an ambulance service between the islands and mainland, and our volunteer crews are trained to a high standard in first aid and casualty care. 

“If you find yourself at sea or on an island in need of medical assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. We wish [the casualty] a full and speedy recovery.”

The crew on this callout comprised coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Brian McSweeney and crew members Jerry Smith, Pat Collins, Diarmuid Collins, Jim Griffiths and Ryan O’Mahony. 

Micheal Cottrell, Rianne Smith, Eoin Ryan, Sean McCarthy, Don O’Donovan and David Ryan provided shore crew assistance at the lifeboat house.

#RNLI - At 11.36am yesrerday (Sunday August 6), Lough Derg RNLI were diverted from exercise after a motorboat fouled its propellers on a line and suffered engine failure.

The 25ft boat with six people on board was reported to be near Coolbawn, at the northeastern shore of Lough Derg.

Lifeboat helm Peter Clarke launched the inshore lifeboat with Owen Cavanagh and Kevin Dooley on board amid southwesterly winds blowing Force 5, with fair visibility but frequent heavy squalls. 

The lifeboat located the stricken vessel at 11.50am. All six passengers were found to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. 

It emerged that the motorboat had fouled its propellers while towing a wakeboarder, and then suffered engine failure. The skipper had also dropped anchor to prevent being pushed onto rocks.

One of the lifeboat crew was transferred to the casualty vessel, where he cut away the lines caught around the propellers of both engines. 

He set up a bridle in preparation for a tow, and after he weighed anchor, the lifeboat took the boat and her passengers under tow to Coolbawn Quay.

Liam Maloney, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to “enjoy the lake, but make sure all your ropes are clear of your engine and carefully stowed when not in use.”

Earlier in the weekend, Valentia Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to assist six people after their 38ft cruiser ran aground at the Goat Road on the eastern shore of Lough Derg on Friday evening (4 August).

At 7.40pm, the lifeboat launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Dean O’Sullivan and Kevin Dooley on board. Winds were westerly Force 3 and visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser inside the Goat Road and navigation buoy E. All six passengers were found to be safe and unharmed and were requested to don their lifejackets.

After checking the casualty vessel was not holed, a lifeboat crew member set up a tow line and told the passengers what to expect as the boat was taken off the rocky shelf.

The lifeboat made numerous attempts to take the cruiser off the rocks, but it was stuck fast. In the meantime, the owner of the cruiser had arranged for two marine engineers to attend the cruiser on a motorboat. 

It was then decided to offload the boat’s passengers with the lifeboat to enable the engineers to attempt a refloat of the cruiser with a lighter load.

The cruiser was afloat before 9.30pm. But as night was falling, the lifeboat took the passengers across the lake to the closest harbour at Rossmore while one of the engineers helmed the cruiser.

Commenting on Friday’s callout, Maloney advises all boat users on the lake, to “bring up to date charts of the lake and plan your passage before leaving harbour, and do not to stray off the navigation route.”

#RNLI - In the first of two incidents yesterday morning (Thursday 3 August), Baltimore RNLI launched to reports of a vessel adrift in Crookhaven Harbour.

The vessel, a 4m Boston Whaler powerboat, had broken from its mooring in strong winds and was drifting outside the West Cork harbour. 

There was no one on board the vessel, and weather conditions at the time were poor, with an easterly force 6-7 wind and 4-5m sea swell.

Baltimore's lifeboat arrived on scene at 8.38am, some 51 minutes after launch, and established a tow to bring the vessel back into the harbour, where it was secured to a mooring.

As the lifeboat was departing to return to station at 9.11am, the Irish Coast Guard contacted them to investigate another boat in trouble in the area. 

The second vessel, a 20ft Merry Fisher pleasure boat with no people on board, had gone ashore on rocks in Crookhaven. 

Due to the position of the vessel on the shoreline, coxswain Aidan Bushe decided to launch the Y-boat from the stern ramp of the lifeboat. 

The Y-boat, with Kieran Collins and David Ryan on board, secured a tow and pulled the casualty vessel clear of the shoreline. The lifeboat then took up the tow and secured the vessel on a mooring.

Speaking following the callout, Baltimore RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Kate Callanan said: “It is advisable in such incidents, where boats get into trouble near the shoreline, to call the coastguard for assistance. This reduces the risk of people getting themselves into a dangerous situation. 

“If you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Bushe, Ryan and Collins were joined on yesterday’s callout by mechanic Sean McCarthy and crew members Jerry Smith and Don O’Donovan. Micheal Cottrell provided shore crew assistance at the lifeboat house.

Volunteers from Donaghadee and Bangor RNLI were requested to launch their lifeboats this evening (Thursday 3 August) after a group of dinghy sailors got into difficulty off the County Down coast.

The inshore lifeboat from Bangor and the all-weather lifeboat from Donaghadee launched shortly after 5pm following a report from Belfast Coastguard that two dinghies with 10 people onboard were in difficulty in an area off South Briggs.

Weather conditions at the time were dry and sunny with a north west Force 4 wind blowing.

The sailors had got caught out by an offshore wind which made it difficult for them to make any headway back to land.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crews observed that the five people onboard each dinghy had managed to regain control.

Both lifeboats then escorted the sailors safely back to Ballyholme.

Speaking following the call out, Peter Irwin, Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Sailing is a popular activity on the County Down coastline especially at this time of year. Weather can change no matter how well you prepare for your trip and it was an offshore wind that caused problems this evening but thankfully all are safe and well. We would remind anyone going to sea this summer to respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket and always carry a means of calling or signalling for help. Should you get into difficulty dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard are issuing a joint call this Bank Holiday weekend urging people to be vigilant and to take care on the water and along the coastline. It comes as both organisations note that August was the busiest month for coastal recreational incidents last year. Irish lifeboat crews last August alone responded 217 times to emergencies at sea.

With the summer holidays in full swing, it has been a busy time for the search and rescue agencies and this Bank Holiday weekend, the two organisations are warning people to be vigilant and take heed of some simple safety advice.

While summer air temperatures may be warm, Irish waters rarely exceed 15C, making them cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which causes the instinctive reaction to gasp and swim hard, which can quickly lead to drowning.

As part of its drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, the RNLI is calling on the public to help save more lives during this busy period by remembering and sharing key survival skills.

Kevin Rahill, RNLI Community Safety Partner explains: ‘We are now half way through the summer holidays and are approaching what is traditionally a busy Bank Holiday weekend around the coast and on our inland waters. While that hopefully signals an enjoyable time for many – it sadly also means that we can learn of tragedy or hear of people getting into serious danger.

‘We want to start a national conversation that encourages people to fight their instincts around water, so we are asking people to remember and share two skills. The first is, if you see someone else in trouble; don’t go into the water yourself as you may also end up in serious danger. Instead, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. If you want to help, find something that floats and throw it to them, or shout instructions on how to float until the rescue services arrive.

‘The second is, if you fall into cold water, fight your instincts to swim hard or thrash about as this could lead to drowning. Instead, relax and float on your back, keeping your airway clear, for around 60-90 seconds. This will allow the effects of cold water shock to pass so you can regain control of your breathing and then swim to safety or call for help. Just remembering these two simple points could help save your life, or someone else’s, this Bank Holiday weekend.’

The Irish Coast Guard has two simple messages, to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’ near exposed parts of the coastline and to ‘Stay Afloat – Stay in Contact’ when at sea.

Gerard O’Flynn, Irish Coast Guard Operations Manager said: ‘While it is important that everyone going afloat wears a lifejacket, it is equally important that every user ensures their lifejackets are regularly serviced.

‘Lifejackets are not fool proof and users should always ensure that they have familiarised themselves on their proper operation and that they are in date for servicing. Anyone going afloat should also ensure they have a means of raising the alarm should they need to and that they ensure someone ashore is aware of their trip and estimated time of return.’

‘Away from the sea, we want everyone to exercise caution when walking on exposed cliffs. Pets should be always kept on a leash and walkers should avoid areas which they are not familiar with. Our message is to stay back, stay high, stay dry.’

#RNLI - Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was called out at 4.20pm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 1 August) to go to the aid of a 40ft pleasure fishing boat with mechanical failure 15 miles off the Seven Heads in West Cork.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat, under coxswain Kevin Young and with a crew of six, launched in minutes and reached the stricken boat just after 5pm.

On scene near the Lusitania site, the lifeboat secured a tow line to the vessel and then proceeded to tow it back to the safe haven of Courtmacsherry’s inner harbour.

All six on the pleasure boat were safely returned to Courtmacsherry Pontoon at 8pm.

Weather conditions on the callout reasonable, with winds in the area blowing Force 3-4.

The callout was the latest in what was a busy 48 hours for the voluntary crew of Courtmacsherry RNLI, with three callouts to boats in distress beginning on Sunday afternoon with the rescue of another pleasure fishing boat, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

#RNLI - Rosslare Harbour RNLI was involved in an extensive search off the Wexford coast yesterday (Tuesday 1 August) after a swimmer was reported to have been swept out to sea.

The alarm was raised shortly after 3pm by a member of the public who reported what they thought to be a swimmer being carried out to sea from Rosslare Strand.

The all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke, launched at 3.15pm and began an extensive search. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford was also tasked.

Weather conditions were good for searching, with a south west Force 4 wind blowing.

Following a four-hour search, the volunteer crew were requested to stand down the lifeboat at 7.30pm, with no one reported missing and no one found.

Speaking following the callout, Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat press officer Jamie Ryan said: “We would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm today. That is the right thing to do if you think someone has got into difficulty on the water.”