Two sailors and a dinghy rescued by Baltimore RNLI off Spanish Island  

Two sailors and their boat were rescued from the rocks of Spanish Island, near Baltimore harbour today by the RNLI.

The Baltimore RNLI were called into action by the Irish Coast Guard after 4.30pm to assist two people who got into difficulty with their 14-foot sailing dinghy at Spanish Island.

The Baltimore inshore lifeboat with three volunteer crew aboard, helm Kieran Collins and crew members David Ryan and Kieran O’Driscoll, arrived on scene at 4.46pm to find the boat on the rocks and the two casualties, who were both wearing lifejackets, ashore on the island.

Lifeboat crewman Kieran O’Driscoll moved onto the dinghy to attach a tow line and assisted the sailors back on board.

The RNLI pulled the vessel clear of the shore and after checking for damage, towed the vessel back to the pier in Baltimore.

Back in Baltimore harbour, the dinghy was secured to the pier and once both sailors were happy, the RNLI returned to the boathouse.

Luckily the sea was calm at the time of the incident with an easterly force 2-3 wind and no sea swell.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: "The sailors did the right thing in asking for assistance as they were unsure of how to proceed once the boat had gone ashore.

“They were both wearing lifejackets and were carrying mobile phones which they used to call the Coast Guard to alert them of their situation. If you get into difficulty on the water or along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”