RNLI rescues 25-ft yacht from rocks off the coast of West Cork

Two sailors were rescued off the coast of West Cork yesterday after their yacht ran aground on rocks.

Members of the Baltimore RNLI were tasked to assist the 25-ft yacht, which had two people on board, by the Valentia Coast Guard Marine Coordination Centre at 1.31pm.

The skipper of the yacht had raised the alarm after they became grounded on rocks four miles from Barlogue Bay.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched shortly after, under the command of Coxswain Aidan Bushe, who was accompanied by mechanic Micheal Cottrell, and crew members Jerry Smith, Eoin Ryan, Ollie O’Mahony and Maria Coleman.

The lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 1.48pm, with conditions at sea during the call being relatively calm with a north westerly force 5-6 wind and a 1m sea swell.

Mr Bushe assessed the situation and after speaking with the skipper decided that undertaking a tow was necessary as the tide was dropping and the vessel needed to be pulled off the rocks.

The lifeboat passed a tow to the yacht and managed to pull the casualty vessel free.

Ms Coleman was then transferred from the lifeboat to the casualty vessel to assist further in the journey to Baltimore, which got underway by 2.12pm.

The lifeboat proceeded to Baltimore Harbour, the nearest safe and suitable port, arriving at 3.20pm.

RNLI members assisted the skipper and crew of the casualty vessel in securing the yacht to the pier in Baltimore.

The lifeboat then departed and made the short journey back to the station, arriving at 3.42pm.

Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said the skipper “did the right thing in calling for immediate assistance as the keel of the yacht was wedged on the rock and there was a danger of the yacht falling over as the tide continued to drop”.

“Should you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” she added.