On Wednesday December 15, following a call from the Irish Coastguard Service at Valentia, the RNLI all-weather Lifeboat Fredrick Storey Cockburn launched to the assistance of a 40 foot fishing vessel 2 nautical miles south east of the Old Head of Kinsale.
Sea conditions were calm and the night was clear but very cold. The fishing trawler with two people on board had lost engine power. The lifeboat launched at 2046 hrs and took the vessel in tow arriving back in Courtmacsherry at 2230 hrs.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2010-12-15 20:46
Recover:2010-12-15 22:30
Weather: Wind SW F4, Good.
An unusual message appeared on our pagers at 11.17. “Rescue Helo 115 has encountered icing problems on mission 40 miles south of Courtmacsherry....” This was in the middle of a very cold week when temperatures went down to -20 on a regular basis. The helicopter was on a mission to airlift an injured fisherman off a fishing trawler 70 miles off the Cork coast. The trawler man had been hit by a hawser and been badly injured. The helicopter encountered a whiteout about 40 miles out when the rotor and the windscreen froze up. Fortunately while getting details from Valentia the commander of the helicopter had cleared the problem by flying north out of the weather front.
The lifeboat crew remained on standby in case of any further issues. The Helicopter returned to Cork and made another successful attempt to airlift the injured seaman to Cork University Hospital.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
At 10.30 Saturday morning pagers alerted the crew to an incident across the estuary from the station. A youth had fallen into the water in Harbour View. The ALB and ILB both launched and were at the scene within minutes, however his plight was spotted by a local onshore who managed to haul him ashore, freezing cold but safe.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
Late afternoon on this miserable wet day with an onshore S.E. wind gusting to gale force members of the Irish Coastguard at Oysterhaven saw a small 5m pilot boat fishing in Newfoundland bay east of Oysterhaven. While not in immediate danger, open water conditions were very severe for its return journey to Oysterhaven, and the two people on board would be in extreme danger on their return to open water.
As night was falling Valentia Coastguard alerted Courtmacsherry Lifeboat. The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Sean O Farrell and stood offshore while the fishermen made their passage back to Oysterhaven. Onshore the Cosstguard kept the vessel in sight. Conditions were very poor with a big swell in failing light. The vessel was seen to almost capsize on two occasions, but made it safely to port without assistance.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
A report of a 16 foot boat in trouble off Red Strand as the sun was setting. The lifeboat launched and found a small vessel in the area but not in any difficulty. The lifeboat returned to station after a brief further search.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
A call to Valentia Coastguard from a 12m motor fishing vessel 15 miles south of Courtmacsherry initiated a night time launch of the lifeboat. The Sarah May, with two people on board while on passage from Milford Haven to Achill, suffered engine failure and needed assistance.
Lifeboat coxswain Seán O'Farrell. and crew, located the vessel and established a tow. The long tow to Courtmacsherry lasted into the early hours, tired but all safe and well.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
This will be known locally as the night of the chinese lanterns. A call from a member of the public alerted the coastguard and the lifeboat station that two red flares seen bearing about 175 degrees from the Blue Horizon Hotel, Garretstown.
The lifeboat launched and searched the area with RNLI Kinsale and Irish Coastguard also joining the search. It transpired the two flares were in fact chinese lanterns let off from Garretstown.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
A call was received by the LOM that a small pleasure craft had broken down and was requesting assistance south of the Galley Head. The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Seán O'Farrell and proceeded to the scene. On arrival the vessel had established its own power and no longer required assistance.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
A report was received of a boat striking a rock and taking in water in Glandore Harbour. The lifeboat launched under coxswain Micheal O Donovan and on arriving at the scene found an 18m cruiser had struck a rock between Rabbit Island and the mainland, and was taking in water.
The vessel was badly damaged but the crew and coxswain established a tow and towed the vessel into Union Hall.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
A very local call this time , within view of the lifeboat station. A jet ski was reported to be in difficulty in Harbour View, and unable to return to shore.
Both the ALB and the inflatible boats were launched on this occasion to render assistance. The casualty was picked up and returned to safety.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
The LOM received a call from Irish Coastguard at Valentia reporting a small fishing boat with two people aboard had suffered engine failure and was drifting off the Seven Heads.
The lifeboat was immediatly launched at 5.15 under Coxswain Mark Gannon and located the half decker ANNA without difficulty at 5 50. The vessel was towed to Courtmacsherry arriving home at 7.00 p.m.
Cox: Mark Gannon
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2010-05-02 05:05
Recover: 2010-05-02 07:45
Weather:
While on a return from an exercise in Kinsale Coxswain Micheál O Donovan was asked by Irish Coastguard to divert to render assistance to a vessel off the Old Head of Kinsale which had had been propped and was unable to free the rope from the propellor. The lifeboat duly rendered assistance towing the casualty to safety in Kinsale.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
Last year it was a bale of silage, this year it was a large block of styro-foam that was mistaken for a small boat drifting off the Galley Head lighthouse.
The lifeboat launched just before nightfall, to reports of a small rowing boat drifting off the Galley head. Arriving in almost darkness the lifeboat crew had to resort to parachute flares to light up the area.
After about 30 minutes search the block of styro-foam was spotted and retrieved. It was perfectly understandable how it could be mistaken for a little rowing boat.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
The finding of a rucksack with a note in it initiated a search of the Old Head of Kinsale for a missing person. The ALB launched 1750hrs to assist in a search of the western shores of the Old Head.
The search coordinated by the Irish Coastguard also included the inshore RNLI boats from Kinsale and Crosshaven, as well as the Irish Naval patrol vessel the LE Aishling.
Search efforts were suspended at nightfall, and before first light of the following day the missing person was found alive and well - on shore in Kinsale.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
Lifeboat was tasked to a motor cruiser broken down at Wood Point. The vessel was towed to Courtmacsherry harbour arriving there at 1154hrs, after which the lifeboat was made ready for next service.
Cox: Brendan Pitt (Relief cox, Rosslare)
Crew: Kieran Hurley, Mícheál Hurley, Peter Nunan, Billy O'Donovan, Donal Dwyer
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-06-21 11:06
Recover:
Weather:Wind S F3, Good.
On Friday 12th June 32' Jeanneau Prestige motor cruiser ran out of fuel some 14 miles SSW of Seven Heads. She had left Plymouth at 0200 that morning en route to Baltimore calling at Newlyn at 0700 to refuel. Valentia CG. activated the pagers at 2019 and the lifeboat launched at 2030 arriving on scene at 2139. A tow was established and at 0035 lifeboat and casualty arrived in Courtmacsherry. The lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 0110.
The boat was been delivered to her new owner in Baltimore.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Tadhg McCarthy, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Peter Nunan, Donal Young, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-06-12 20:30
Recover:
Weather:Wind W F4, viz 5nm, 1.5m swell
A young girl fell into the water from the cliff cliff edge. The coastguard tasked the lifeboat after they received an emergency call. The lifeboat launched and was making good speed when the news that the girl had made her own way to safety. The lifeboat returned to base and made ready for next shout.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Tadhg McCarthy, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Peter Nunan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-06-08 17:40
Recover: 2009-06-08 18:25
Weather:Wind SE F4, Good.
A small Galway hooker, (class Gleoiteog) , "Faoiléan" (Seagull), operating out of Crosshaven on passage lost her rudder and contacted the Coastguard. Courtmacsherry lifeboat was tasked to the vessel, launched at 1516hrs and arrived on scene at 1536hrs.
The vessel with 3 adults was towed to the safety of Courtmacsherry harbour arriving at 1750hrs.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Tadhg McCarthy, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Peter Nunan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-05-20 15:16
Recover: 2009-05-20 15:16
Weather:Wind SW F5, Moderate,2.5m swell.
A rib with 3 Persons aboard had departed from Courtmacsherry earlier in the day. The lifeboat was called when an emergerncy was declared after her engine siezed off Bier Island on the wastern side of the Seven Heads - east of Clonakilty Bay. The lifeboat launched at 1910hrs and was on-scene at 1935hrs.
The craft, "Revenger" and crew were towed to the safety of Courtmacsherry harbour arriving at 1750hrs, after which the lifeboat was made ready for it's next call.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Tadhg McCarthy, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Peter Nunan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-04-02 19:10
Recover: 2009-04-02 17:50
Weather:Wind SW F5, Moderate,2m swell.
A rib with 3 Persons aboard had departed from Courtmacsherry earlier in the day. The lifeboat was called when an emergerncy was declared after her engine siezed off Bier Island on the wastern side of the Seven Heads - east of Clonakilty Bay. The lifeboat launched at 1910hrs and was on-scene at 1935hrs.
The craft, "Revenger" and crew were towed to the safety of Courtmacsherry harbour arriving at 1750hrs, after which the lifeboat was made ready for it's next call.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Tadhg McCarthy, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Peter Nunan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-04-02 19:10
Recover: 2009-04-02 17:50
Weather:Wind SW F5, Moderate,2m swell.
At 14:12 the lifeboat slipped it't moorings and proceeded at full speed towards Inchdoney. A report had been received by the Coastguard that two surfers were drifting out to sea. Visibility was poor due to thick fog
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Conor Dullea, Ciaran Hurley, Pat Lawton, Billy O'Sullivan, Séan O'Farrell.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2009-02-14 12:25
Recover: 2009-02-14 15:15
Weather:Wind SF3, Good.
At 1225 Courtmacsherry Station was alerted by Valentia Coast Guard following a request for assistance from a boat located five miles south of the Seven Heads. The nine metre fishing vessel with two people aboard got in to difficulty when its driveshaft became loose.
The boat was on passage from Kinsale to Union hall when the incident happened. The Lifeboat arrived at the casualty at 1309 and took the vessel in tow. The boat was towed to Courtmacsherry, where the crew disembarked safely. The lifeboat refuelled and was back at its moorings and ready for service again at 1551.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Ciarán Hurley, Peter Nunan, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-10-04 14:12
Recover: 2008-10-04 16:00
Weather:Wind variable, viz poor.
The lifeboat launched in response to a call for assistance from a boat which had fouled its propeller with a lobster pot in the Garrettstown area. The boat was located and towed safely back to Courtmacsherry
Cox: Mícheál Hurley
Crew: Kieran Boyle, Ciarán Hurley, Peter Nunan, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-09-28 15:00
Recover: 2008-09-28 16:30
Weather:SE F3, good.
The lifeboat launched following reports that a boat was overdue from the Bullens Bay area. The lifeboat put to sea at 2115 along with another local boat. The missing boat with a crew of 3 was located and was escorted back to Courtmacsherry
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Kieran Boyle, Mark-John Gannon, Ciarán Hurley, Mícheál Hurley, Peter Nunan, Tadhg McCarthy, Seán O'Farrell, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-09-21 21:15
Recover: 2008-09-21 22:30
Weather:
Crew assembled for service but stood down .
Cox: Mark Gannon
Crew: Tadhg McCarthy, David Fleming, Mark-John Gannon, M. Hanley, Ciarán Hurley, Billy O'Donovan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-09-21 21:15
Recover: 2008-09-21 22:30
Weather:
The lifeboat crew launched at 1846 in response to a boat which had lost its way in dense fog. The lifeboat headed for the sticken vessel at best speed in the extemely low visability. The vessel was found by another local boat and the lifeboat was stood down when the both boats had reported that they had safely landed at Ring pier.
The lifeboat returned to Courtmacsherry and refueled and was back on her moorings at 2030
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, Mark-John Gannon, M.Hanley, Tadhg McCarthy, Seán O'Farrell, Donal Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-08-29 18:46
Recover: 2008-08-29 20:30
Weather: Wind: Light, Viz poor in fog.
The lifeboat crew was paged to respond to a report of a 12 metre yacht with a crew of 2 which was drifting with no power 12 miles south of the Old Head of kinsale. The lifeboat launched at 1723 and proceeded to the yacht and took it in tow and made best speed for Courtmacsherry and arrived safely at 2130.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: M.Hanley, Tadhg McCarthy, Ciarán Hurley, Simon Locke, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Donal O'Dwyer.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-07-31 17:23
Recover: 2008-07-31 21:30
Weather:
The lifeboat and the boarding boat were at 2309 launched in response to reports of an upturned boat in the harbour. The crew carried out a search and located a large object floating in the sea and it was accertained that this was mistaken as an upturned boat. The lifeboat returned to its moorings and was ready for service at 2355.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Patrick Lawton, M.Hanley, M.J.Gannon, Tadhg McCarthy, Ciarán Hurley, Simon Locke, Tadgh McCarthy, Billy O'Donovan, Michael O'Donovan, Donal O'Dwyer, Donal Young, Kevin
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-07-22 23:09
Recover: 2008-07-22 23:55
Weather:
Valentia Coastguard tasked Courtmacsherry lifeboat to a motorboat in difficulty - engine stopped, seas rough and drifting towards the rock. It was just after 17:10.
The lifeboat was away at 17:15 and was alongside the drifting casualty 15 minutes later. A tow was quickly put in place and the boat was safely alongside the pier in Courtmacsherry harbour at 18:40.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-07-04 17:15
Recover: 2008-07-04 18:45
Weather:SW F8, Viz moderate to poor, confused sea.
The lifeboat crew launched the inflatable boarding boat after a small pleasure craft had broken its moorings in strong gale force winds. The crew located the craft and towed it back to another safe mooring.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Sean O'Farrell, Mark Gannon, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:SW F8, Viz moderate to poor, confused sea.
The lifeboat responded following a report of a fisherman that was thought to be missing. The lifeboat crew carried out an extensive sea and shore search before the man was found safe and well.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Sean O'Farrell, David Fleming, Mark J.Gannon, Ciarán Hurley, Patrick Latwon, P. Noonan, Billy O'Donovan, Conor O'Dullea, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
The Lifeboat was launched at 1539 in response to a report of a suken vessel in the Seven-Heads area. The Lifeboat proceeded to the area and carried out an extensive search and nothing was found. The lifeboat was stood down from the search at 1612 and was back on station and ready for service at 1635.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Patrick Latwon, Peter Fitzgerald, M. Hanley,Ciarán Hurley, Donal O'Dwyer, Seán O'Farrell, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-06-16 15:30
Recover: 2008-06-16 16:45
Weather:
The lifeboat received a radio call while it was on a weekly exercise that a small pleasure craft was broken down in the vacinity of horse-rock. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 2057 and took the boat in tow and returned it to the pier in Courtmacsherry at 2150.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Mícheál Hurley, M. Hanley, Donal O'Dwyer, Seán O'Farrell, Donal Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-06-02 20:35
Recover: 2008-06-02 21:55
Weather:
The lifeboat launched at 0626 in reponse to a request from a local fishing vessel <b>Sea Venture</b> which had fouled its propeller with a length of rope floating in the water. The Lifeboat took the vessel in tow and arrived back in Courtmacsherry at 0803.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Kieran Boyle, Mark Gannon, Mark John Gannon, Mícheál Hurley, Ciaran Hurley, Billy O'Donovan, Gearoíd O'Donovan.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2008-05-19 06:20
Recover: 2008-05-19 08:03
Weather:
The lifeboat was launched at 1806 in response to a person in difficulty in the water at Inchodoney beach. The Lifeboat arrived on scene by which time the casulty had been removed from the water. The Lifeboat returned to Courtmacsherry and was refueled and ready for service at 1950.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, Kieran Boyle,David Flemming, Mark John Gannon, Mícheál Hurley, Donal O'Dwyer, Kevin Young.
Launch: 2008-04-24 18:06
Recover: 2008-04-24 19:50
Weather:
Courtmacsherry Lifeboat was launched at 2204 in response to a report of a missing person in Inchodoney. The Lifeboat arrived on scene at 2259 and carried extensive searches with local coastguard unit and a rescue helicopter. Nothing was found in the area and the lifeboat was stood down at 0023 and was back on her moorings ready for service at 0135.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Tadhg McCarthy, Mark Gannon, Mark John Gannon, Ciarán Hurley, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Kevin Young.
Launch: 2008-04-23 22:10
Recover: 2008-04-23 01:45
Weather:
Lifeboat was paged at 1851 in error and was stood down at 1901. Crosshaven Lifeboat attended the incident.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Ciarán Hurley, Mícheál Hurley, Mark J.Gannon, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Mícheál O'Donovan, Seán O'Farrell, Kevin Young.
Launch: 2008-04-23 22:10
Recover: 2008-04-23 01:45
Weather:
The lifeboat launched at 1217 to go to the assistance of trawler INVERICHEN which was on passage and which had had a fire on board. The fire had been extinguished by the trawlers crew. However they had lost all power and she was lying off the Seven Heads. A tow was established and she was towed back to Courtmacsherry where, on 15th March, she still awaits repair.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, Peter Fitzgerakd, Gearoíd O'Donovan, Mícheál O'Donovan, Pat Lawton
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:Wind SE F3, Good.
The two persons were.The lifeboat launched at 1217 to go to the assistance of trawler Inverichen which was on passage and which had had a fire on board. The fire had been extinguished by the trawlers crew. However they had lost all power and she was lying off the Seven Heads. A tow was established and she was towed back to Courtmacsherry where, on 15th March, she still awaits repair.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, David Fleming, Peter Fitzgerald, Patricia Gannon, Ciarán Hurley, Micheál Hurley, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:Wind SE
The lifeboat launched at 1217 to go to the assistance of trawler Inverichen which was on passage and which had had a fire on board. The fire had been extinguished by the trawlers crew. However they had lost all power and she was lying off the Seven Heads. A tow was established and she was towed back to Courtmacsherry where, on 15th March, she still awaits repair.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, David Fleming, Peter Fitzgerald, Patricia Gannon, Ciarán Hurley, Micheál Hurley, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:Wind SE
A sighting of flares between Mill Cove, Rosscarbery and Castletownsend was reported. The Frederick Storey Cockburn was quickly away and forced it way through heavy, pounding seas towards the scene.
A search pattern was commenced between The Galley and Glandore and through Baltimore, West of Glandore, Nothing found and there was no follow up reports of a missing
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, Conor Dullea, David Fleming, Mark Gannon, Pat Lawton, Micheál Hurley
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 01:25
Recover:
Weather:Wind SSE 60kts, Violent seas with high swell, poor visibility.
At first light, Courtmacsherry lifeboat crew resumed the search begun the previous day for a person in the Clonakilty Bay area. Again working together with the shore-searching members of the Irish Coastguard team the patterened search continued 'til nightfall. The search was also joined by Gardaí and divers from the Naval Service. Regretfully the search was to prove fruitless.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Gary Barrett, Mark J. Gannon, Micheál Hurley, Gearóid O'Donovan, Seán O'Farrell, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 01:25
Recover:
Weather:Wind SW 17-20kts, Rough, moderate visibility.
In under 8 minutes from Valentia Coastguard's call of a person missing the the Clonakilty Bay area, the Courtmacsherry all-weather lifeboat was racing to the scene. A search pattern was initiated in the bay in conjunction with the Irish Coastguard members who searched along the shoreline. When darkness fell, no person had been found and the search had to be called off 'til the first light of the next day. The lifeboat returned to base and was made ready by the crew.
Cox: Dan O'Dwyer
Crew: Kieran Boyle, Ciarán Hurley, Mícheál Hurley, Gearóid O'Donovan, Donal O'Dwyer, Seán O'Farrell, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 01:25
Recover:
Weather:Wind: Easterly veering SW, 20kt. Sea state rough. Visibility poor.
