RNLI help fishing vessel in West Cork

Castletownbere RNLI came to the rescue of a fishing vessel on Monday after it experienced mechanical failure.

The crew launched just after 9pm to assist the stricken fishing vessel close to Mizen Head in West Cork.

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked by Valentia Coastguard Radio to go to the assistance of an 18 metre Castletownbere-based fishing trawler whose propellor had become fouled and therefore was unable to move.

The vessel had six crew on board.

The lifeboat was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Dean Hegarty with crew Marney O’Donogue, Sean ‘Bawn’ O’Sullivan, Kyle Cronin, Aaron O’Boyle, John William O’Donoghue and Donagh Murphy.

At 9.46pm the lifeboat located the stricken vessel one mile south-west of Mizen Head.

Conditions on-scene were described as a two-three metre swell and with force five south-westerly winds.

Lifeboat crew secured a tow to the fishing vessel and proceeded to tow the vessel towards Castletownbere without incident.

The stricken vessel was safely berthed at Castletownbere Pier just before 1am and the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service.

Commenting after the callout Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Paul Stevens, said: “The fishing vessel made the right call in seeking assistance, given the boat’s proximity to the shore and the prevailing wind conditions, the lifeboat ensured that a potential critical incident was averted.”

Mr Stevens also complimented the crew on its rapid response, maintaining strict Covid-19 protocols and the successful outcome of the callout.