RNLI help yacht in difficulty

One of Cork’s RNLI crew had an early start recently when they launched to assist a 32 foot West Cork-based yacht with four people onboard.

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat received an alert at 6.15am on 13 July from Valentia Coastguard Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre requesting assistance for a yacht reporting mechanical and electrical difficulties.

The yacht lost its ability to manoeuvre three miles south of the Fastnet Rock.

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat Annette Hutton was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Dean Hegarty with mechanic David O’Donovan and crew Joe Cronin, Donagh Murphy and William Power.

The lifeboat located the stricken vessel at 7.15am half mile off the Fastnet and weather on scene was described as very calm.

A spokesperson for Castletownbere RNLI said: “The four sailors were safe and well. The yacht was unable to manoeuvre and contact was made with the vessel and the decision was made to tow the vessel as it posed a potential navigational hazard to other vessels.

“Castletownbere lifeboat towed the vessel to Long Island in Roaring Water Bay and passed over the tow to the Schull Coast Guard rib which brought the yacht safely into Schull Harbour.”

The lifeboat left the scene at 8.10am, returned to Castletownbere, and was refuelled and ready for service again by 9.55am.

The Duty Launching Authority, Brendan O’Driscoll, praised those on the vessel for seeking assistance at an early stage as it was located in a busy shipping lane and could have posed a serious navigational hazard to other vessels.