Cork yacht rescue includes lifeboat crewman on first call-out, days from wedding

The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat was called out at 3.40 am this morning, to go to the immediate aid of a 40ft yacht that got into difficulties and was taking in water 21 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale.

The rescue included a crew member on his first lifeboat call-out, just days away from his wedding, and exactly 46 years after his own father was involved in the rescue mission during the tragic Fastnet Race of 1979.

The casualty, with two on board, had encountered major issues with water intake in the early hours of the morning and having lost all power, struggled in swelly conditions at sea.

The activation of an epirb (Emergency position indicating radio beacon) on the yacht alerted the Coast Guard by beacon signal, that someone was in difficulty in this area and immediately the lifeboat was tasked to commence a major search of the area.

The lifeboat, under coxswain Ken Cashman, and a crew of five, was underway in 13 minutes and reached the scene of the incident at 5am this morning.

They quickly located the stricken yacht and immediately took the casualty in tow, while making sure that water was being pumped out to prevent sinking.

FISHING BOAT

A nearby 85ft fishing boat also arrived on the scene and provided assistance with radio contact. With the yacht in tow and water intake being monitored, the decision was made to slowly tow the yacht back to the nearest port of Courtmacsherry.

Both boats arrived to the safety of the Courtmacsherry pier at 9.30am and the yacht crew were mighty pleased to be on safe terrain after a very eventful early morning.

The yacht was on passage from France to Ireland when the incident happened and was in danger of sinking. 

The crew on board today’s callout were coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew Donal Young, Niamh Hurley, Ian McCarthy and Taylor Murphy.

For crewman Ian McCarthy, this was his first full callout and we all wish him well in his forthcoming wedding celebrations next week.

Of note is that Ian’s father Cally was a lifeboat crewman, who was out in atrocious weather conditions in the famous Fastnet Race rescue, 46 years ago, this very week in 1979.

Station voluntary operations manager Brian O’Dwyer said: 

"It was great to have 16 of our lifeboat crew and officers arrive so quickly from their beds early this morning to partake in a dramatic rescue that was activated by the success of an epirb being set off at sea which alerted the authorities.”

 Earlier this week Brian, on behalf of Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Station members past and present, accepted the Courtmacsherry Festival recognition award of 2025 for services to the community on this the station’s 200th Anniversary.