BALTIMORE RNLI assisted a yacht in difficulty off the coast of West Cork last week.
The volunteer lifeboat crew were called out on the evening of Friday April 25th to assist a yacht with three people and a dog onboard.
The 45-foot yacht got into difficulty three miles south of Sherkin Island.
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Baltimore RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat at 6.14pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist the pleasure craft.
The skipper of the yacht had raised the alarm after they experienced difficulties trying to make their way to Cape Clear Island on passage from Kinsale.
Their main sail had ripped and they had tried to make their way under motor but suffered engine failure and had no means to continue without assistance.
The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 6.33pm.
Coxswain Jerry Smith assessed the situation and after speaking with the skipper decided that undertaking a tow was necessary.
The lifeboat passed a tow to the yacht and both boats arrived at Baltimore Harbour at 7.46pm.
Baltimore RNLI volunteer crew members assisted the skipper and crew of the casualty vessel in securing the yacht to the pier in Baltimore.
Following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI press officer said: ‘The skipper did the right thing in calling for immediate assistance as soon as he realised that his situation had worsened, and it was good to see that he and all his crew, including the dog, were in lifejackets.’
There were six volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat: Coxswain Jerry Smith, mechanic Micheal Cottrell, navigator Kieran Collins and crew members Colin Whooley, Brian McSweeney and Don O’Donovan.
