4 rescued by Ballycotton RNLI

Four people onboard a motorboat were rescued by Ballycotton RNLI over the weekend.

Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch at 10.12pm on Sunday 14 June by Valentia Coast Guard, following a call for assistance.

The crew of a 14 metre pleasure craft had encountered engine difficulties 29 miles south of Ballycotton. The motorboat was carrying four crew who were on passage from Newlyn in the UK to Kinsale.

Following a decision by Ballycotton RNLI’s Duty Launch Authority, Maire Scanlon, the stations all-weather Trent class lifeboat, The Frederick Storey Cockburn, was launched immediately.

Conditions leaving the harbour deteriorated as they were underway to Southeast Force 5 winds with two metre swell and poor visibility. Following a long and difficult journey for the lifeboat crew of seven, the lifeboat arrived on scene at 12.10am and made contact with the crew.

All were in good health, however due to strong swells and poor conditions it was not possible to transfer the four crewmen onto the lifeboat safely. The decision was made by Coxswain Eolan Walsh to instead establish a tow line and by 12.35am the lifeboat was able to begin the long slow journey back to Ballycotton.

The lifeboat returned to the harbour by 5.30am on Monday and once the motorboat was safely secured the lifeboat was washed down and refueled ready for the next shout.

Maíre Scanlon, volunteer Duty Launch Authority at Ballycotton RNLI said: “We are grateful to the number of crew that were available last night and their continued commitment to saving lives at sea. Fortunately for the crew of the motorboat, we were able to get them to safety, and all ended well.”

Coxswain Eolan Walsh was joined on the callout by volunteer crew members, Eolan Breathnach (navigator) Adrian Erangey, Sile Scanlon, Áine Flynn, Ronan Lynch and Johannes Reiher.