Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide assistance to six people on a yacht in difficulty yesterday afternoon (Sunday 29 August) off East Calf Island in West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 3 pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 26-foot yacht, with six people on board, which had dismasted just off the East Calf Island in Roaring Water Bay.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 3.12 pm and two volunteer lifeboat crewmen were put aboard to assist in the derigging of the mast. Once the mast was secured aboard the yacht and the owners of the yacht were happy the RNLI crewmen returned to the lifeboat and the yacht was able to make its own way under engine to the nearest safe and suitable port. The lifeboat then returned to the station, arriving at 3.55 pm.

There were five volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Sean McCarthy and crew members Brendan Cottrell, Colin Whooley and Eoin Ryan. Conditions at sea during the call were calm with a south-easterly force 2 wind, no sea swell and good visibility.