RNLI

4th November 2010

RNLI Hovercraft in Rescue of Girl

At 5.30 pm last night Liverpool Coastguard were alerted to a local 15 year old girl in difficulty by the Leasowe Lighthouse on Moreton Common, Wirral, on Merseyside on the far side of the Irish Sea . She was completely cut off by the tide about 100 metres out on the nearby sandbank.

The Hoylake Coastguard Rescue Team were alerted as was the RNLI New Brighton hovercraft and West Kirby inshore lifeboat.

In the meantime the local Coastguard Sector Manager Steve Travis along with his team deployed their mud sled and recovered the girl to dry land.

By 6.30 pm this evening the girl was safely back at home with her mum.

Paul Kirby, Duty Watch Manager at Liverpool Coastguard said

"Our thanks are due to Steve and his team and the RNLI crews from Hoylake and West Kirby for responding so promptly to our call.

As the evenings are now darker after the clocks went back, swift tides and sandbanks can present a major problem for the unwary in the darkness. Please take care when going anywhere near tidal waters and make sure you know the times of the tides."

Published in Coastguard

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2nd November 2010

Search Resumes for Donegal Fisherman

The search continues for one of the two-man crew of a Donegal lobster boat that sank off the Inishowen peninsula yesterday morning.

The Irish Times reports that the body of 65-year-old Edward Doherty was recovered from the sea yesterday. His nephew, 41-year-old Robert McLaughlin, was still missing last night when the search was suspended due to bad weather.

The pair's vessel, the 26ft Jennifer, was retrieved by divers south of Malin Head, close to Glengad pier.

In a tragic mirror of the weekend's rescue of two young fishermen off the Co Mayo coast, it's believed that Doherty and McLaughlin had similarly cast off to check on pots.

Malin Head marine rescue centre dispatched the Irish Coast Guard's Sligo-based Sikorsky search-and-rescue helicopter and the RNLI's Lough Swilly and Portrush all-weather lifeboats when the alarm was raised early yesterday.

Some 20 local vessels also joined the search, though they were impeded by heavy rain and choppy seas.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is expected to investigate the incident, which is the second in the area in less than three years.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Rescue

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31st October 2010

Lifeboat Rescues Two Fishermen After Ten Hours Stranded in Liferaft

Two young fishermen are recovering today (Sunday 31 October 2010) after being rescued by lifeboat crew from Ballyglass RNLI. The two men were found in a liferaft 13 miles north of Belderrig in County Mayo after a lifeboat crewmember raised the alarm when they had not returned after to shore last night. Their fishing vessel had capsized and unable to raise the alarm the two men spent ten hours at sea in a liferaft waiting for help.

Ballyglass RNLI volunteer crewmember John Walsh contacted the Ballyglass Lifeboat Operations Manager when a fishing vessel had not returned to Porturlin when expected. Lifeboat Operations Manager Harry McCallum got in touch with Malin Head Coast Guard and the Ballyglass RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched at 11.49pm along with the Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter.

The rescue crews headed to the area where the fishermen were understood to be recovering pots from the water. The helicopter crew spotted the liferaft with the two men onboard and communicated the position to the lifeboat, which was nearby. The men had managed to remove their wet clothes and had put on plastic sacks to keep warm. They were recovered onto the lifeboat and taken to Ballyglass to recover.

Commenting on the callout Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain JT Gaughran said, " These two young men were extremely lucky. There had been nobody out searching for them until our crewmember John Walsh, who is an experienced fisherman, raised the alarm. Things can go wrong very quickly out at sea and every second counts. Thankfully conditions were moderate and once the search was underway they were spotted quickly."

The lifeboat pictured below returned to Ballyglass at 3am this morning with the two men onboard.

J-NM-R019-110

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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20th October 2010

Rescued Seal is Stabbed to Death

A seal rescued by lifeboat crew members less than three weeks ago has been found dead after being stabbed. Gardai in Arklow, Co Wicklow are carrying out an investigation after stab wounds were spotted on the animal's body after it was washed up on Ennereilly a beach in the town. Just 18 days earlier a major operation by the local RNLI lifeboats had saved the animal after it got caught in a fishing net 30 metres from the South Breakwater in Arklow. It swam back out to sea with just minor surface scrapes. These marks helped identify it when the body was washed up on Monday. The Belfast Telegraph has the story HERE.

Published in Marine Wildlife

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18th October 2010

First Rescue for Kilmore's Tamar Lifeboat

The Kilmore Quay lifeboat crew are currently undergoing intensive training on their new €3 million Tamar lifeboat, which only arrived on station last Wednesday. The lifeboat was on scene in twelve minutes and took the fishing vessel under tow into Kilmore Quay harbour.

Along with Coxswain Eugene Kehoe, lifeboat mechanic Brian Kehoe and two Kilmore Quay lifeboat crew were Divisional Inspector Gareth Morrison and Divisional Engineer David Murrin, who also took part in the callout. The Tamar is currently at sea every day for training to ensure all the volunteer crew members are fully trained on the new lifeboat.

Commenting on the first callout for the Tamar Deputy Divisional Inspector Gareth Morrison said, " The new lifeboat performed superbly. The extra speed in responding to callouts along with the improved radio direction finding equipment helped us locate the casualty vessel very quickly. On a bad night and in challenging conditions this will make a huge difference for the lifeboat volunteers."

Over fifty percent of Kilmore Quay's callouts are to fishing vessels. The new Tamar class lifeboat is 16.3 metres in length with a maximum speed of 25 knots compared to the 14.3 metres of the Tyne class lifeboat stationed at Kilmore Quay, which has a maximum speed of 18 knots. The lifeboat is self-righting and is fitted with an integrated electronics Systems and Information Management System, which allows the lifeboat crew to monitor, operate and control many of the boats systems from shock mitigating seats.

callout_18102010

Photo: courtesy of Kilmore Quay RNLI

Marine Warnings

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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14th October 2010

The Tamar Arrives!... At Kilmore Quay

The RNLB Killarney arrived yesterday into Kilmore Quay after making her delivery voyage from England. The new €3 million craft is the first Tamar-class to operate in Irish waters and is the most technically advanced lifeboat in the RNLI fleet.

The lifeboat was funded by a legacy from Mrs Mary Weeks from Surrey in England who passed away in 2006. Mrs Weeks met her husband while on a cruise off the west coast of Scotland on a boat named Killarney.

Tamar_arrival

The RNLB Killarney on her maiden arrival yesterday to Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford.

She also has a strong RNLI connection through her maiden name Distin. Mrs Weeks was related to the Coxswain of Salcombe lifeboat Samuel Distin and to Albert Distin. Both men lost their lives in the Salcombe lifeboat disaster of 1916.

The lifeboat hull was moulded by the RNLI and fitted out in Plymouth under RNLI supervision. Lifeboat crewmembers based in Kilmore Quay have undertaken comprehensive training at the lifeboat college in Poole and onboard the Tamar class lifeboat in preparation for their new arrival.

The new lifeboat is not expected to go on service until later in the month and the next few weeks will be spent training the rest of the lifeboat crew on the new boat. RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector Gareth Morrison said, " This is a huge day for the RNLI in Ireland. The arrival of any lifeboat is a great celebration for a community but when it is the first of a new class of lifeboat the excitement is even greater.

The Kilmore Quay lifeboat crew have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Their last lifeboat the Famous Grouse rescued over 300 people since 2004 and this lifeboat station has had many challenging rescues in its history. I wish them the very best of luck with their new lifeboat, may she have many successful years ahead of her." Kilmore Quay lifeboat Coxswain Eugene Kehoe added, "It's a proud day for Kilmore Quay.

Passage_crew

The crew of the RNLB Killarney

A new lifeboat is a tremendous gift and we will take very good care of it. We are very grateful to the donor who by leaving this legacy to the RNLI has provided a lifeboat that will go on to save many lives at sea.

On a bad night miles out to sea it is good to know that we have a state of the art lifeboat and a highly trained lifeboat crew to respond to every situation." The new Tamar class lifeboat is 16.3 metres in length with a maximum speed of 25 knots compared to the 14.3 metres of the current Tyne class lifeboat stationed at Kilmore Quay, which has a maximum speed of 18 knots.

The lifeboat is self-righting and is fitted with an integrated electronics Systems and Information Management System, which allows the lifeboat crew to monitor, operate and control many of the boats systems from shock mitigating seats. The Tamar also carries a Y boat (an inflatable daughter boat) which is housed under the aft deck and deployed from a hinged door in the transom. The lifeboat has room for 44 survivors. It will replace the current Kilmore Quay Tyne class lifeboat The Famous Grouse, which will be retired to the RNLI relief lifeboat fleet.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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14th October 2010

Man Rescued after Fall from Boat in Ballyshannon

The use of the kill chord and a lifejacket on a boat in Donegal this week meant a man who went over board was able to be rescued quickly by Bundoran Lifeboat

The RNLI was alerted to a person in the water off Creevy Pier in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.

The casualty had been thrown from his boat when the steering wheel broke.

He was spotted by two local fishermen who raised the alarm with the Coastguard.

On arrival the local fishermen had retrieved the man from the water. The Lifeboat crew took the casualty onboard and landed him at Creevy where they administered first aid to him.

He was then taken to Sligo General Hospital by ambulance. The rescue helicopter 118 was also on scene and the rescue was coordinated by Malin Head Coastguard.

Speaking after the rescue, Colm Hamrogue, Press Officer for Bundoran Lifeboat commented; "The gentleman was very lucky to be spotted by the local fishermen who raised the alarm. He was wearing his life jacket and had an emergency kill switch on the engine of his boat which went a long way in saving his life.

"He is expected to make a full recovery and I would like to commend the gentleman who was rescued for following sea safety advice by wearing a life jacket and having the necessary emergency kill switch. I would also like to praise the local fishermen for their vital role in this rescue."

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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13th October 2010

Naas Canal Festival Includes 'Best Lit' Boat Competition

Naas Canal Festival on the inland waterways will be held from 22nd to 25th October 2010 and includes a co-ordinated swith on of boat lights in Naas harbour. The Kildare Branch of the IWAI with the support of local societies is hosting the event. Entry fee is €25. Programme is below and more festival information downloadable as attachments.

Friday Oct 22nd
Arrival of boats in Naas harbour
Saturday Oct 23rd
12:00 – 18:00 IWAI Trailer

12:00 - 14:00 Registration in the Canal Stores

14:00 – RNLI Display and Safety Check

19:00 Coordinated switch on of Boat Lights

19:00 BBQ in the Canal Stores

19:00 - 22:00 Best Lit Boat Competition
Saturday & Sunday all day activities
Raffle for a Weekend for 4 people on a luxury Shannon Cruiser
Best Dressed Boat Competition
Children's activities – register on Sat at 12:00 in Canal Stores
Art/Craft Competition – for Children 12 and under – register on Sat at Canal Stores
Sunday Oct 24th
11:00 – 17:00 Canal Boat Festival – Boats and their history will be on display externally
11:00 – 17:00 Canal Boat 107B – Canal display available for viewing internally
10:00 Small Boat Rally up the Corbally Line 19:00 Entertainment in the Townhouse – Judging & Prize Giving
Monday Oct 25th
11:00 Walk & Talk with the Naas Historical Society

Published in Inland Waterways

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12th October 2010

Ballycotton Lifeboat Rescues Fishing Vessel

Ballycotton lifeboat was launched last night, 11 October, to a fishing vessel with a fouled propeller, near rocks off Ballycroneen Bay, east of Cork Harbour. The boat's skipper put out an anchor and contacted the owner, who in turn contacted the lifeboat station. Ballycotton lifeboat was launched at 19:55 and arrived on-scene at 20:15. They pulled the fishing vessel away from the rocks and any possible fishing gear that was in the area. A tow line was established and the fishing vessel was towed into Ballycotton harbour, arriving at 21:20.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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11th October 2010

Cruising Sailor Rescued off Cork Harbour

A sailor who got into difficulty cruising from Wales to the Canary Islands was rescued and brought to safety in Cork Harbour yesterday.

The 10-metre yacht hit poor weather conditions near the Pollock Rock east of Power Head and lost the use of its VHF radio. The skipper was heading for Cork Harbour when he also encountered steering problems.

A passing fishing boat lent assistance and contacted the Coastguard. The vessel was towed to Crosshaven by Ballycotton lifeboat.