Baltimore RNLI called out to assist broken down trawler with five on board  

BALTIMORE RNLI was called out in the early hours of this morning (Friday) to a fishing trawler with five people on board which had broken down close to shore, just off the harbour’s mouth in Baltimore, West Cork.  

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 5.20am after the Irish Coast Guard requested that they go to the assistance of a 22m fishing trawler that had suffered engine failure close to the shoreline off Baltimore harbour’s mouth.

Baltimore lifeboat arrived on scene at 5.26am to find the vessel had an anchor shot and the crew, all in lifejackets, were working to resolve their mechanical difficulties.  At the time there was a south-westerly force 5 wind and a 1.5m sea swell with good visibility.  

Within 20 minutes the trawler was underway by her own power, under escort of the Baltimore lifeboat, to the safety of Baltimore harbour.  

The volunteer crew onboard the all-weather lifeboat included coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Cathal Cottrell, and crew members Pat Collins, Davie Ryan, Colin Whooley, Aidan Bushe, Emma Lupton and Don O’Donovan.  Assisting at Baltimore lifeboat station was Sean McCarthy.  

Speaking following the call-out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat press officer said: ‘If your boat is in danger close to the shoreline, always remember to try not to panic.  Use the resources available such as deploying an anchor, ensure all people aboard are in lifejackets and seek assistance as soon as possible.  If you get into difficulty at sea or on the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’