Courtmacsherry RNLI responds to report of swimmer in difficulty
Courtmacsherry RNLI was called out by Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at 5.22am this morning, (Saturday 9 September), to go to the aid of a swimmer who had got into difficulties off Inchydoney Island beach in West Cork.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of five who assembled quickly from their beds and were away from their mooring in dense fog and heading towards the casualty at 5.34am. As both the lifeboat and the Coast Guard helicopter headed at top speed to the area, the swimmer was able to get ashore safely with the help of their friend and once it was established that the casualty was ok, the lifeboat returned to its base in Courtmacsherry.
Vincent O'Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority and Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'Thankfully the swimmer got ashore safely and great credit is due to all the 20 volunteer crew and officers who raced from their beds to the station early this morning to help others in distress.
'It is so important to dial 999 or 112, as minutes matter in situations like this and we hope that all users of the coastline stay safe on this sunny weekend.
It’s a very special day for all involved at the lifeboat station today as the naming ceremony of the new lifeboat Val Adnams takes place in the village at 1.45pm with everyone invited to come along.
The Courtmacsherry lifeboat crew on this morning's call out were Coxswain Mark Gannon, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Ken Cashman, Donal Young, Denis Murphy and Kieran Boyle. The lifeboat has now returned to its mooring in constant readiness of when the next call out might occur on this special day.
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