Ballycotton RNLI rescues three fishermen on board 11m boat off Power Head

Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury, was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard at 2.15am to a fishing boat that had suffered difficulties and was disabled, rendering it in danger of being washed up against the rocks.

With temperatures at freezing and a bitter north easterly wind of force 5-6 and 2m swell, the crew quickly made its way west of Ballycotton in the direction of Power Head. Once the crew had located the vessel and had confirmed all crew onboard were safe, a decision was made to secure a tow line and bring the boat to Crosshaven as conditions were not safe to return with vessel in tow to Ballycotton.

Towing at a speed of five knots, Ballycotton RNLI and the fishing boat arrived to Crosshaven at approximately 5.15am. As they entered the mouth of Cork harbour they were escorted in by a pod of friendly dolphins. Once the fishing boat was safely secured, Ballycotton lifeboat began the journey home, returning at 7.05am to refuel and ready again for service.

Commenting on the call out, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain Eolan Walsh said: ‘Thankfully all three fishermen were wearing lifejackets and had called for help as soon as they encountered difficulties. Conditions were extremely cold and difficult and I am thankful to all the volunteers who answered the call last night. We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea that if you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

The lifeboat crew were made up of Coxswain Eolan Walsh, station mechanic Adam Hussey, Eolan Breathnach as navigator, Cíaran Walsh, Michael Kenneally, Claire McCarthy, Ronan Lynch and Adrian Erangey.

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For more information please telephone Gail Matson, Ballycotton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872194825 Communications Manager on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Communications Lead on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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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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