Ballycotton RNLI rescue skipper when boat suffers engine failure
A 7-metre pleasure boat with one person on board, fishing off Ballycotton Island got into difficulty today (Saturday, 26 August) when their boat suffered engine failure and was in danger of running aground on the rocks.
At approximately 2.20pm the skipper of the boat raised the alarm. He had dropped anchor and was trying to fix the engine issue himself. However, due to strong currents the boat was at risk of being pushing onto the rocks.
Visibility was good, but conditions were choppy with a North West wind 3-4. Once the lifeboat was on scene, it was quickly agreed by the Coxswain that the safest option was to tow the boat back to the nearest safe and suitable port.
With the towline secured, the crew of the lifeboat were able to return the boat safely to Ballycotton pier by 3.10pm.
Commenting on the callout Ballycotton Coxswain Eolan Walsh said, ‘Thanks to the speedy response of the volunteers we were able to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The person was wearing a lifejacket and had called for help as soon as they encountered difficulties. We would advise people to take the correct water safety advice for the activity they are taking part in and to always make sure they have a means of raising the alarm if things go wrong.’
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The volunteer lifeboat crew comprised of Coxswain Eolan Walsh, Mechanic Alan Cott, Navigator Eolan Breathnach and volunteers Claire Murphy, Cíaran Walsh and Stephen Sloane.
If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble; Dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.
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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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