Kinsale RNLI involved in four rescues over Bank Holiday Weekend
Kinsale RNLI volunteers answered their fourth emergency call out of the Bank Holiday Weekend this evening (Monday 7 June) when the lifeboat was tasked by the Coast Guard to assist a yacht that had lost its mast.
Miss Sally Anne Baggy II - Never Fear, Baggy’s Here launched at 6pm to assist the 26ft vessel with two people on board. The yacht was located just south of the harbour mouth. After ascertaining that the passengers were uninjured, two lifeboat crew members boarded the yacht and secured the mast before it was safely towed back to Kinsale harbour.
Kinsale RNLI volunteer Jonathan Connor, who was lifeboat helm on all four call outs over the weekend, said: ‘We expected the sunny weather and easing of restrictions to bring more people to the Kinsale area, but we were quite surprised to be called out four times in such a short period. The RNLI remained on call 24/7 throughout the Covid-19 restrictions and we were recently able to resume our regular training exercises, so this weekend gave us an opportunity to put our skills to good use. We would like to remind people to call the Coast Guard on 112 or 999 if they see anyone in difficulty on the water.’
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.