Courtmacsherry RNLI respond to swimmer in difficulty off West Cork coast

Courtmacsherry RNLI was tasked in the early hours of Saturday morning to respond to an incident where a swimmer got into difficulties off Inchydoney Island beach in West Cork.

The all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out by Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at 5.22am on Saturday morning.

The Lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and crew of five were away from their mooring in dense fog and heading towards the causality at 5.34am.

While both the Lifeboat and the Coast Guard helicopter headed to the area, the swimmer was able to get ashore safely with the help of their friend.

Once it was established that the casualty was okay, the Lifeboat returned to its base in Courtmacsherry.

Speaking following the callout, press officer Vincent O Donovan said: “Thankfully the swimmer got ashore safely, and great credit is due to all the 20 volunteer crew and officers who raced from their beds to the Station early this morning to help others in distress.

It was so important to dial 999 or 112 this morning as minutes mattered in situations like this and I hope that all users of the coastline stay safe on this sunny weekend.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat crew on the callout were Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Ken Cashman, Donal Young, Denis Murphy and Kieran Boyle.

The lifeboat has since returned to its mooring in readiness for when the next callout might occur.

Meanwhile, today marks the naming of Courtmacsherry RNLI’s new Lifeboat ‘Val Adnams’.

A naming ceremony will take place in Courtmacsherry today at 1.45pm and everyone is invited to attend.