Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew rescued a family of three from their stricken yacht this morning (Friday 22 July) as it drifted towards rocks near Black Head in Youghal Bay.

The couple with their teenage son radioed for help after their 44ft yacht had lost power, leaving them slowly drifting towards the rocky shoreline
 
Youghal’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 6.42am and reached the 44ft yacht in just 10 minutes amid favourable conditions with a falling tide.

It emerged that a rope had become caught up in the yacht’s propeller and the vessel had lost all power.

The family onboard were experienced sailors and were travelling the world on their yacht for the last 10 years. The lifeboat crew found them to be safe with none requiring medical attention.
 
One volunteer crew member boarded the yacht and established a towline to bring it back to Youghal pontoon, where the family were handed into the care of Youghal Coast Guard who were awaiting their arrival.
 
Youghal RNLI deputy launching authority Mark Nolan said: “The family had a VHF radio onboard and didn’t hesitate to call the coastguard to alert the lifeboat for assistance when they experienced difficulty.

“This has been a very busy time for us here in Youghal with this being our fifth shout less than a week. We would urge people to always carry a means of communion and if they get into difficult to call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Youghal RNLI in East Cork responded to two callouts in less that two hours on Tuesday (19 July), coming to the aid of six people.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were first requested to launch at 4.37pm to aid a family that had been left to anchor their vessel due to engine failure one mile south of the lighthouse in Youghal and were drifting due to a falling tide and westerly wind.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the family were all safe and well and all wearing lifejackets and did not require first aid. The crew assisted three family members onto the lifeboat while one crew member boarded the vessel and a towline was established.

The boat was then towed back to the Quays slipway in Youghal and two crew members assisted the safe recovery of the vessel by helping it back onto its trailer.

The lifeboat was back and ready for next service when the pagers went off again at 6.32pm to reports of a 28ft pleasure craft with two onboard that was experiencing engine difficulties due to overheating a quarter of a mile east of the Black Ball Ledge cardinal mark in Youghal Bay.

Weather conditions had changed a small bit since the first call and the sea state was now choppy but overall still clear and visible.

When the crew arrived at the location given they observed two men onboard that were both safe and well. They lifeboat assessed the casualty vessel and established a safe towline to bring the boat back to the pontoon in Youghal.

Speaking after the callouts, Youghal RNLI helm Liam Keogh said: “It was great to see on both calls today the people onboard had mobiles and rang for help. We would urge people to remember to bring any means of communication with you because you don’t know when you might need it.”

The back-to-back shouts also represented Alan Revins’ first since recently completing his helm training. He said: “This is an exceptionally busy time for all emergency services so please take care when you head out and enjoy the fantastic weather, stay safe and respect the water.

“If you think you’re in trouble or if you think you see someone else is in danger in or near the water call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Youghal RNLI went to the aid of a sailor in difficulty 400 yards off Mangan’s Bay on Thursday afternon (23 June) after their boat suffered engine failure.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat at 12.49pm following reports of a person onboard a broken down 7m Cobra RIB which was at anchor 400 yards off Mangan’s Bay.

Weather conditions at the time were good and calm with a southernly breeze of wind.

Arriving at the casualty’s location, the lifeboat crew observed that the man onboard was safe and well. He was wearing full personal protective equipment.

Upon further assessment of the situation, a decision was made to establish a tow and bring the boat to a trailer at the nearest safe port at Ferry Point.

Speaking after the callout, John Griffin, Youghal RNLI lifeboat operations manager said: “With the weather getting finer we would urge everyone planning to go out on their boats to make sure they are serviced at the start of the year.

“It is also essential to have a means of communication such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in the event of a difficult situation. Should you get into trouble or see someone else in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Youghal RNLI came to the aid of two people on Tuesday morning (14 June) after their 18ft pleasure craft got into difficulty east of Youghal Lighthouse.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Mine Head Coast Guard at 11.47am following reports of a broken-down 18ft pleasure craft with two people onboard two miles south-east off Capel Island.

The Atlantic 85 lifeboat, helmed by John Griffin Jnr, launched in calm weather conditions, reaching the casualty within 15 minutes. The vessel had broken down due to engine failure.

On arrival, the lifeboat crew observed that the two men onboard were both safe and well. The crew assessed the situation before deciding to put a crew member onboard the boat to establish a tow line. The crew member stayed onboard while the lifeboat towed the vessel back to the nearest safe port at Ferry Point.

Speaking following the callout, John Griffin, Youghal RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager said: “The crew on the vessel did the right thing in raising the alarm when they knew they were in difficulty, and we would like to commend the crew of a nearby fishing which stayed on scene until the lifeboat arrived.

“As we enter the summer months, we would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to respect the water,” he added.

“Always carry a means of communication as problems can occur at any time and being prepared is key. Always wear a lifejacket and let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into the difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The volunteer RNLI crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 5.47 pm on Wednesday (2nd February) following a request from the Irish Coast Guard that a dog had fallen from the cliffs edge into the water below.

The Pointer who had been out for an afternoon walk with its owner along Ardmore Cliffs got into trouble when it fell the 100ft drop down into the sea.

A member of the public quickly alerted the Coast Guard who then requested the launch of Youghal RNLI’s lifeboat. Under the helm of Jason Ansbro, the lifeboat headed to the location given where the crew quickly found the dog waiting for them on a rock it had swam to.

Weather conditions at the time were fair with a south to southwesterly Force 1-2 light breeze and an ebbing tide. There was good visibility despite the darkness of the evening.

Once on scene, the lifeboat was steadied at the base of the cliff and two crew members reached out and lifted the dog from the rock and brought it onboard the lifeboat. The dog was shaken from the weather conditions but was otherwise well and uninjured. The crew then brought the dog safely back to Ardmore Pier where it was reunited with its owner and met by Ardmore Coast Guard.

Speaking after the call out, Youghal RNLI Helm Jason Ansbro said: ‘We were delighted that the dog wasn’t injured from the fall from such a height and happy to see it in such good spirits despite his ordeal.

‘Our concern with incidents like this is that the owner or a member of the public may enter the water to help the animal and end up endangering themselves. Thankfully, this wasn't the case and the passer-by did the right thing by calling for help. We would remind dog owners to keep their pet on a lead if close to a cliff edge or the water’s edge. If your dog does go into the water or gets stuck in mud for example, we would advise not going in after them. Instead, move to a place where the dog can get out easily and call them if you think they can get out themselves. If you are worried your dog can’t get out, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat launched yesterday morning (Tuesday 4 January) to a report from a member of the public who saw a boat drifting out to sea.

The lifeboat crew located the 12ft punt at 10.15am drifting from Youghal Bridge out the harbour on a strong falling tide. The vessel was then towed to Ferry Point where the local coastguard were waiting.

Youghal RNLI deputy launching authority Mark Nolan said: “Thanks to the member of public that reported this, as any vessel like this on a strong falling tide could be a navigational hazard to other marine traffic in the area.

“If you see someone in trouble or notices anything suspicious in the water dial 999 or 122 and ask for the coastguard.”

The volunteer lifeboat crew on the callout were helm Erik Brooks with crew Kevin Daly and Ivan Bryan.

Youghal RNLI launched to the aid of a man who had fallen overboard from his yacht in the East Cork town’s harbour at the weekend.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat on Saturday afternoon (18 September) following reports of a lone sailor in trouble in Youghal Harbour.

The man had reportedly fallen overboard while trying to free a rope that was caught around the propeller of his 28ft yacht. He managed to get back onboard where he raised the alarm.

The lifeboat arrived on scene to find the crew of two local angling vessels already on scene and providing assistance.

Two lifeboat crew boarded the 28ft yacht and medically assessed the casualty. He was then taken onboard the lifeboat and back to shore to an awaiting family member. No further medical treatment was required.

Meanwhile, the yacht was towed back to its nearby mooring and secured.

Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI’s deputy launching authority, said after the callout: “Tragedy was avoided today because this gentleman had the good sense to be wearing a lifejacket and to be carrying a form of communication. If he hadn’t, the outcome could have been much more serious.

“I would also like to extend my thanks to the crew of the two local vessels that were first on scene and came to his assistance today.”

Knockadoon sisters Siobhán and Denise O’Donoghue recently cut their hair for two charities — raising more than €1,600 for the Youghal lifeboat.

Between them, the girls cut a whopping 128 inches of their own hair and donated it to the Rapunzel Foundation, which make wigs for children suffering from alopecia and cancer.

Siobhan (9) said: “I did it to help the boys and girls with cancer and the men and women who risk their lives saving others at sea.”

Denise (12), meanwhile, said her reason to cut her hair was to “make a child smile again and hope that the money for the RNLI will help to make a difference in savings someone’s life”.

Speaking following receiving the cheque for €1661.70, Youghal RNLI's Mel Mullane said: “What an amazing gesture this was from Siobhán and Denise to think of us in this way.

“As a charity, Youghal RNLI is reliant on voluntary donations to power our lifesaving work. Thanks to the generosity of people like Siobhán and Denise, our volunteers can continue to do their work in saving lives at sea.”

The volunteer crew of Youghal RNLI were tasked yesterday (Sunday 15 August) by the Coast Guard to reports of a number of kayakers in trouble near the floating pontoon in Ardmore Bay.

Launching at 3.26 pm under the Helm of Liam Keogh, the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat arrived on scene to discover that the group of eight kayakers had been helped safely to shore by local boat users. The lifeboat crew spoke to those involved and were satisfied that everybody was ok and no further assistance was required.

The Coast Guard then asked Youghal RNLI to check the area for any further water users due to high levels of water activity in the area, as sea conditions were not ideal, with a blustery North East, Force 5 wind and a falling tide.

Speaking after the call out Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said:’ Before embarking on any form of water-based activity be sure to check the local tide and weather conditions, wear a personal floatation device, tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back and carry a means of calling for help’.

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer crew responded to their pagers just after 3pm today (Sunday 18 July) to a report of a swimmer in difficulty between The Mall and Greenhole beaches in Youghal Harbour.

Arriving on scene within minutes on their inshore lifeboat, the crew discovered the male swimmer had made it to shore. Two of the lifeboat crew assessed his condition and realised he was suffering with mild hyperthermia.

The casualty was transferred onto a stretcher and conveyed to the lifeboat station. Youghal Coast Guard unit provided assistance at the scene.

Once back at the station, the casualty was given medical assistance by paramedics and taken to Cork University Hospital by ambulance, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

Speaking after the callout, Youghal RNLI deputy launching authority Mark Nolan said: “With the good weather forecast for the next few days, I’d like to remind people to take care near the water, never swim alone and always let someone on shore know where you are going and a rough time of when they can expect you back.”