Courtmacsherry RNLI in early morning call out to rescue sailors
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was called out at 3.40am this morning, Friday (1 August) to go to the immediate aid of two sailors on a 40ft yacht that got into difficulties and was taking on water 21 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The activation of an Epirb (Emergency position indicating radio beacon) on the yacht alerted the Coast Guard by beacon signal, that someone was in difficulty in this area and immediately the lifeboat was requested to commence a major search of that area.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five volunteers were underway in 13 minutes and reached the scene of the incident at 5am. The crew quickly located the stricken yacht and assessed the situation before deciding to work to make sure that water was being pumped out to prevent sinking.
A nearby 85ft fishing boat also arrived on scene and its crew provided assistance with radio contact. With the yacht in tow and water intake being monitored, the decision was made to slowly tow the boat back to the nearest port of Courtmacsherry. Both boats arrived to the safety of the Courtmacsherry Pier at 9.30am where the yacht crew were brought to safe terrain. The yacht was on passage from France to Ireland when the incident happened and was in danger of sinking. The crew on board today’s call out were Coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew Donal Young, Niamh Hurley, Ian McCarthy and Taylor Murphy.
Brian O'Dwyer, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'It was great to have 16 of our lifeboat crew and officers arrive so quickly from their beds early this morning to partake in a dramatic rescue that was activated by the success of an Epirb being set off at sea which alerted the authorities.
'For crew member Ian McCarthy, this was his first full call out and we all wish him well in his forthcoming wedding celebrations next week.'
Of note is that Ian’s father Cally was a lifeboat crew member, who was out in poor weather conditions in the famous Fastnet Race rescue, 46 years ago, this very week in 1979.
Earlier this week Brian, on behalf of Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Station members past and present accepted the Courtmacsherry Festival recognition award of 2025 for services to the community on this the station’s 200th Anniversary.
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