Baltimore RNLI called out to yacht propped on a buoy

BALTIMORE RNLI was launched just before lunchtime today after a yacht with two people on board became propped near Cape Clear Island.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 40ft yacht which had become propped on a buoy in a tidal area known as the Gascananne Sound, located between Sherkin Island and Cape Clear.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat with five volunteer crew aboard including Coxswain Kieran Cotter, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Sean McCarthy, Jerry Smith and Aidan Bushe arrived on scene at 12:45pm. Another rib with a volunteer lifeboat crewman, Simon Duggan, was already in the area and remained on standby until the lifeboat arrived. After an assessment of the situation the smaller Y-boat was launched from the all-weather lifeboat to access the area, with crew members Sean McCarthy and Aidan Bushe aboard. They tried to free the yacht themselves, however the buoy remained stuck so a tow was established.

As soon as the lifeboat took the yacht on tow it was pulled clear of the buoy and after assessing that all was fine with the casualty vessel the town was discontinued and the yacht continued on its journey.

'Whilst there was no immediate danger to life, the crew aboard the yacht did the correct thing in requesting assistance as this particular stretch of water is known for its strong tides. If you get into difficulty on the water or along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,' said Kate Callanan, Baltimote RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer.