RNLI rescues passengers after boat engine catches fire off Cork coast

Eva Osborne

The Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was launched on Saturday afternoon to a boat that experienced an engine fire just off Ardnakinna Lighthouse in West Cork.

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat ‘Annette Hutton’ was paged at 2:58pm and launched minutes later under the command of deputy coxswain Sean Bawn O’Sullivan with mechanic Donagh Murphy, coxswain Joe O’Sullivan, and crew members Joe Cronin, Seamus Harrington, Dave O’Donovan, and William O’Driscoll.

The lifeboat arrived on scene 12 minutes later about three quarters of a mile outside the harbour’s mouth.

At that point, the boat's skipper had quenched the engine and all people on board were calm, the RNLI said.

The lifeboat immediately took the boat, with six persons on board, in tow. Once the lifeboat was within the calmer waters of Berehaven Harbour, the passengers were taken aboard the lifeboat and the boat towed alongside.

The RNLI said everyone was safe and well.

The lifeboat returned to Castletownbere, the boat was berthed, and the passengers went ashore.

The owner of the boat, Paul O’Shea, said: "From the time I called Coast Guard for help, Castletownbere lifeboat came into view within 11 minutes.

"I am very grateful to the crew for their speedy response and the professional manner in which they provided assistance."

Brendan O’Neill of the Lifeboat Launching Authority said: "The skipper made the right call by contacting the Coast Guard immediately which meant that the lifeboat could launch and rescue the boat before conditions deteriorated."