Baltimore RNLI launched to search for missing fishing vessel

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 12.55pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard who had received reports of an overdue fishing vessel which couldn’t be reached.

Whilst the lifeboat was enroute to Crookhaven, another fishing vessel heard the alarm being raised and was itself in sight of the suspected missing vessel, a 26ft potting boat with one person on board. The second boat was able to give the precise location and the all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene at 1.40pm. Thankfully all was well and once Coxswain Aidan Bushe made sure that the skipper of the fishing vessel was happy to make his own way back to port, the lifeboat with her crew of 6, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Micheal Cottrell and crew members Eoin Ryan, Emma Geary, Maria Coleman and Stuart Musgrave, began to make their way back to Baltimore. As they departed the scene, Rescue 115, one of the Irish Coast Guard helicopters, who had also been tasked to search, requested a drop and lift exercise. Following the exercise, the lifeboat returned to station, arriving at 2.36pm.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘This was a very quick assembly and launch for Baltimore RNLI and thankfully this callout had a good outcome. Multiple emergency service co-operation is vital on many of our lifeboat launches. When Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 who had also been tasked on this call, requested an exercise with Baltimore Lifeboat after they were stood down, Coxswain Aidan Bushe was happy to oblige. These training exercises enable inter-agency rescue service crews to keep their skill levels up to date, ready for the next call. Please remember if you get into difficulty at sea or on the coast, see anyone you feel may be in trouble, or are in need of urgent medical attention whilst on an island don’t hesitate to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872906607 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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 146,000 lives.

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