Two call-outs for Baltimore RNLI in two days

Baltimore RNLI has been called out for a second time in two days, to assist a 30-foot yacht with one person on board off the coast of West Cork.

The yacht had became propped on a pot buoy two miles south of Mizen Head off the coast of west Cork, whilst on passage from Baltimore to Bere Island in West Cork.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat launched at 10.03am following a request by the Irish Coast Guard.

The lifeboat with seven volunteer crew aboard, Coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Aidan Bushe, Jerry Smith, Simon Duggan, Don O’Donovan and Kieran Collins, arrived on scene at 10.47am.

After a quick assessment of the situation, the smaller Y-class lifeboat was launched from the all-weather lifeboat at 10.52am with crew members Don O’Donovan and Kieran Collins onboard.

The all-weather lifeboat established a tow to hold the casualty vessel in position whilst the crew on the Y-boat worked to free it from the pot buoy.

The potline was cleared by 11.02am and after assessing that all was fine with the vessel, the tow was disconnected and the yacht continued on its journey to Bere Island. Once the Y-boat was recovered to the lifeboat, they returned to station in Baltimore.

Conditions at the time of the call were calm with an easterly force 3-4 wind, but visibility on scene was poor due to mist and fog.

Speaking following the call out, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Kate Callanan said: “The all-weather lifeboat carries a smaller vessel aboard called a Y-class lifeboat.

“This is a small inflatable vessel which can be used to gain more accessibility in tighter situations whilst working alongside the all-weather lifeboat. If you get into difficulty on the water or along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”