Courtmacsherry RNLI go to the aid of fishermen on 70ft vessel ahead of parade
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn was called out at 1.30pm today, St. Patrick's Day (Friday 17 March), to go to the aid of the crew on a large 70ft fishing vessel that sought assistance 50 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of five proceeded immediately to the area of distress in rough conditions at sea. The lifeboat reached the boat at 4.30pm and rendered assistance to the crew on the vessel. A short time later the fishing vessel and crew were able to get underway again and the lifeboat crew stood by for a period of time until the all clear was given and the lifeboat was able to return to base in Courtmacsherry, arriving back to the village pontoon at 8pm.
It was ironic that a call out happened as the station was preparing for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in the village where the lifeboat crew always heads up the sea and land parade. As the Trent class lifeboat went on call out, in its last three weeks of active service in Courtmacsherry, the new Shannon class lifeboat Val Adnams lead the parade under Coxswain Peter Noonan and crew. After 27 years of great service in Courtmacsherry, the Frederick Story Cockburn refuelled this evening and is back on its mooring tonight in readiness of any further service in its final weeks in the village.
Brian O'Dwyer, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'It was a great to be of assistance today on our special national holiday to go to the aid of the crew on the fishing vessel in distress and we thank all the crew who gave up their festive time to help others who were in danger on the high seas.'
The Courtmacsherry lifeboat crew involved in today’s seven hour call out were Coxswain Mark Gannon, mechanic Stuart Russell and crewmembers Ken Cashman, Kevin Young, Dean Hennessy and Austin McKenna.
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