Castletownbere RNLI assists two on boat taking on water off West Cork Coast
Castletownbere RNLI were launched last night just before midnight to go to the assistance of two people on a vessel taking water north of Dursey Island off the Beara peninsula.
Castletownbere lifeboat volunteer crew were requested to launch by Valentia Coastguard Marine Coordination Centre at 11.47pm last night to provide assistance to an 18m workboat which was taking water and there was concern that the vessel could sink.
The lifeboat was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Marney O’Donoghue, mechanic Martin Cronin and crew John Paul Downey, Dave Fenton, Seamus Harrington, David O’Donovan and Sean Bawn O’Sullivan.
At 00.40am, the lifeboat arrived on scene five miles North West of Dursey island and conditions were described as Force 4 north-westerly winds and a 1-2m swell. At this stage, the two crew onboard, had located the source of the water leak and had brought it under control using its own onboard water pump. However, as a precautionary measure, the lifeboat remained on standby in case assistance was needed. The lifeboat then proceeded to accompany the vessel to Castletownbere. The lifeboat was back on station and ready for service by 2.25am.
Commenting on the call out, Felix O'Donoghue, Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Launching Authority, stated: ‘Thankfully, the crew aboard the vessel were able to resolve the difficulty themselves. However, they might the correct decision in calling the lifeboat as a precaution.
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