Two people rescued in separate incidents off West Cork coast
Working against a difficult offshore wind blowing off Blind Strand, the lifeboat crew first stabilised the smaller vessel, before then securing the larger speedboat, which had developed mechanical difficulties.
Two people were rescued from the water off West Cork by the Courtmacsherry RNLI in separate incidents involving speedboats on Sunday evening.
The lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 8pm on Sunday, tasked by the Valentia Coast Guard to go to the immediate aid of two speedboats in difficulty in separate incidents off Blind Strand on the Seven Heads coastline in West Cork.
Alerted by the Coast Guard that one of the speedboats had put out its mayday message that it was in danger of sinking, the six-person crew of the Val Adnams reached the area within 10 minutes of launching.
Local RIB owner Rory Conlon, who was cruising nearby, also responded to the request on the mayday call for help, and the RNLI crew said his aid proved vital in helping to pull the first boat away from the rocky shore and then helping with the bailout of water from the second boat.
Working against a difficult offshore wind blowing off Blind Strand, the lifeboat crew first stabilised the smaller vessel, before then securing the larger speedboat, which had developed mechanical difficulties.
The lifeboat then towed the larger vessel, while a lifeboat crewmember brought the smaller craft ashore.
Both crew members were brought back to the safe harbour of Courtmacsherry Pier, arriving just after 9.40pm.
Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Brian O’Dwyer said it had been fortunate all had ended well, given the potential dangers involved in both incidents.
Mr O’Dwyer pleaded with everyone at sea to make sure that lifejackets are worn at all times and, at the first sign of trouble, to call for help immediately by dialling 112 or 999 and asking for the Coast Guard.
The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Crew on Sunday evening’s callout were coxswain Kevin Young, mechanic Tadgh McCarthy, and crewmembers Simon Locke, Denis Murphy, Dean Hennessey and Taylor Murphy.
For Taylor Murphy it was his first callout on the Val Adnams, having completed his intensive recruitment training over the past 18 months.
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