Cork lifeboat crew bring vessel to safety in six-hour operation 

Members of the Courtmacsherry RNLI came to the aid of a 35-foot yacht last night in a six-hour operation off the Cork coastline.

The lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 10.15pm on Sunday to go to the aid of the vessel which sought assistance following reports of mechanical difficulties off Dunworley Head in Clonakilty Bay.

The distress alarm was raised by the yacht, which had two members on board, with the Coast Guard Marine Co-Ordinating Rescue Centre, after the yacht developed difficulties on its passage from Kerry to Youghal.

The crew on board the lifeboat were Coxswain Ken Cashman, alongside mechanic Dave Philips and crew members Dean Hennessey, Niamh Hurley, and brothers Donal and Kevin Young, who quickly made their way to the yacht in difficulty.

The lifeboat located the casualty approximately one mile off the coastline at 10.40pm and a tow rope was immediately attached in order to secure the yacht.

With little wind at sea, and with a dense coastal fog and rain descending, a decision was made by the lifeboat crew to tow the causality to the port of Kinsale.

The lifeboat towed the yacht at low speed under darkness to the safe surrounds of Kinsale Harbour and was berthed at the Dock Marina at 2.30am.

The lifeboat arrived back to its mooring at 4.15am having been at sea for six hours.

Lifeboat operations manager, Brian O’Dwyer said: "It was great to have 15 of our Llfeboat crew arrive so quickly last night, and all prepared to spend the night at sea if required in the assistance of others.

"It was prudent that the causality sought assistance quickly by contacting the Coast Guard.”