Baltimore RNLI crew called out following activation of a positioning beacon

Crew from the Baltimore RNLI were tasked to respond after an alarm from a positioning beacon was activated off the coast of West Cork. 

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 4.04pm yesterday following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to help locate an active Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon (EPIRB) two nautical miles west of the Calf Islands off the coast of West Cork.

The lifeboat, Schull Coast Guard and an Irish Coast Guard helicopter carried out a search of the area under the direction of the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish naval vessel the LÉ Samuel Beckett.

However, after an extensive search was carried out by all agencies the search was stood down at 6.43pm and Baltimore lifeboat made its way back to the station arriving at 7.05pm.

Speaking following the call out, Pat O’Driscoll, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Helm said that thankfully the activation of the alarm was not due to the loss of a vessel.

“It is important to ensure the secure fastening of an EPIRB on board a vessel and to regularly check that it is in good working order,” he said.

There were four volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Helm Pat O’Driscoll and crew members Eoin O’Driscoll, David Ryan and Kieran O’Driscoll.

Assisting at the boathouse were Jerry Smith and Marty O’Driscoll.

Conditions at sea during the call were calm with a south easterly force 2-3 wind and 0.5m sea swell.