Kinsale RNLI responds to false alarm with good intent

The station’s inshore lifeboat was requested to launch at 9.26pm after a member of the public raised the alarm with the Gardai after they thought they saw someone in difficulty in the area of Gully Bridge.

The lifeboat with four volunteers onboard launched and began a search with an ebbing tide from the New Bridge to Gully Bridge. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115 from Shannon was also tasked and the Gardai, and Coast Guard shore units from Oysterhaven and The Old Head were also involved.

There was a north westerly light breeze at the time and strong tides.

At 11pm, a further update came to search the area around Blacks Brewery and the crew made their way there where an extensive search was carried out. The lifeboat crew as part of their search used heat seeking equipment for the first time.

Following a thorough search and with nothing found, the crew were stood down at approximately 1am.

Speaking following the call out, John O’Mahony, Kinsale RNLI Launch Authority said: ‘This was an extensive search in the hours of darkness last night and we want to thank and commend all involved in what was a great joint effort from all the various emergency services. We also want to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm. While on this occasion, it proved to be a false alarm with good intent, we would always much rather launch and find nothing, than not launch at all. We would encourage anyone who finds themselves in difficulty or spots someone else in trouble to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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