Courtmacsherry RNLI went to the assistance of a fishing trawler which was carrying a man with serious injuries last night (Thursday, 14 February). The station’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 7.40pm to go to the aid of the LIBERTY with a crew member who had suffered serious injuries 25 miles off the Old Head Of Kinsale in West Cork. The lifeboat under Coxswain Sean O’Farrell and a volunteer crew of six was underway within minutes and proceeded to the area of the casualty.
Two Irish Coast Guard helicopters from Shannon and Waterford were scrambled and a major rescue plan was in operation. The Waterford Coast Guard helicopter succeeded in airlifting the casualty from the trawler. The Courtmacsherry lifeboat meanwhile, put two of its crew on board the vessel before bringing it back to the safe surrounds of Kinsale Harbour, arriving at 1.10am this morning, Friday (15 February). There were three crew members on board the fishing boat when the accident happened.
The casualty was transferred to hospital by helicopter.
Cox: Sean O’Farrell.
Crew: 6
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2013-02-14 19:40:00
Recover:2013-02-15 19:40:00
Weather: Light winds, Moderate seas
On Saturday 28th April, an angling boat making a passage from Crosshaven to Schull, got into difficulty off of Dunworley head. The 11m craft with 2 people on board had suffered battery and electrical difficulties.
Mark Gannon deputy cox of the lifeboat who was out fishing at the time spotted the boat in difficulty and relayed the information to the lifeboat station. Mark, skipper of the Lady Patricia, stood by until the lifeboat arrived on scene.
The Lifeboat Winsdor Runner launched at 1353hrs under coxswain Micheal O Donovan. And arrived at the scene at 1415. A tow was quickly established, and the return journey proceeded to Courtmacsherry, arriving at 1545. Having secured the casualty to the pontoon, the lifeboat re fuelled and returned to its moorings ready for service at 1610.
Cox: Micheal O Donovan
Crew: Stuart Russell, Dara Gannon, Mícheal Hurley, Donal Young, Kevin Young (Navigator)
Lifeboat: 14-06 (Windsor Runner)
Launch: 2012-04-28 13:53
Recover:2012-04-28 16:10
Weather: Weather good, Wind N F3, backing SW, slight.
Sunday morning 15th April, Valentia coastguard received a call from a fishing vessel 50 miles South of Courtmacsherry. The casualty was a 15m UK based fishing vessel Golden Harvest taking in water. The pagers were set off at 1148 and the relief lifeboat Winsdor runner under cox Seán O'Farrell launched at 1157. ETA was 1400hrs.
The coastguard helicopter was also scrambled and arrived on scene at 1330hrs and a portable pump was put on board.When the lifeboat arrived the casualty had lost all power, but a temporary stop had been effected. Two other trawlers stood by the casualty. The "Buddy M" rendered assistance in putting the coastguard salvage pump and winch-man aboard the casualty, just prior the arrival of the lifeboat.
The Lifeboat came alongside and crewman Dara Gannon was put on board to assess the situation. On ascertaining the position on board being stable, a tow was established and the long tow to Kinsale got underway at 14.30, arriving Kinsale at 2045. The casualty was berthed alongside, and the lifeboat returned to Courtmacsherry arriving at 2245.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew: Tadhg Mc Carthy, Kieran Boyle (Navigator), Dara Gannon, Ciarán Hurle, Donal Young
Lifeboat: 14-06 (Windsor Runner)
Launch:
Weather:
At first light the Fredrick Storey Cockburn again put to sea heading directly to the harbour entrance of Union Hall. The lifeboat joined the search for the 5 missing crew of the TitʼBonhomme with the Baltimore Liefboat, the L.E. Niamh together with local trawlers and fishingboats.
The search continued 'til nightfall closed in on the search and around the grieving families.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew: Stuart Russel, Gary Barrett, Mark Gannon, Chris Guy, Ciarán Hurley
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2012-01-16 05:00
Recover: 2012-01-16 19:45
Weather: Seas Rough.
The call came at 6.05 am from Valentia Coastguard, with a report of a boat sinking in Union Hall. Conditions were severe with a force 6-7 South easterly blowing onshore for the previous 24 hours. The Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat the Fredrick Story Cockburn launched at 06.18 a.m. and made good time to Glandore in a large, strong but following sea. At 06.27a.m. a casualty position was given close to shore on the approach to Glandore Harbour
The RNLI Fredrick Storey Cockburn under Coxswain Sean Ó Farrell set course for this point. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 07.39 and commenced a search of the area. The crew of the Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat sighted an ariel from the stricken vessel at 8.00 am between the Islands of Adam and Eve in Glandore Harbour. At this stage one survivor had been picked up off Adam Island and the full extent of the tragedy became known, with at 5 people still missing from the F.V. Tit Bonhomme which had sunk just to the west of Adam Island. As the search continued the crew of the Fredrick Storey Cockburn picked up the wreckage of a life raft just after 8:00;clock, and continued to search the area until nightfall. The Lifeboat with volunteers Mark John Gannon and his brother Dara, Gearóid O'Donovan, Chris Guy, Donal Young, an his brother Kevin, on board were stood down at 4.30 p.m. and returned to Courtmacsherry, arriving at 6.15 p.m.
The lifeboat was refueled and ready for service at 6.45, after more than 12 hours at sea in severe sea conditions. At first light the following morning the Fredrick Storey Cockburn again put to sea under Coxswain Sean Oʼ Farrell with Stuart Russell, Mark Gannon, Chris Guy, Kevin Young, Ciarán Hurly, and Garry Barrett, on board, and joined the search for the missing crew of the TitʼBonhomme searched the area until nightfall.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew: Gearóid O'Donovan, Dara Gannon, Mark-John Gannon, Chris Guy, Donal Young, Kevin Young.
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2012-01-15 06:18
Recover: 2012-01-15 18:45
Weather: Wind SE F7, Viz:4km, poor in rain., Seas: Rough, Heavy Swell.
The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat was called out on the morning of Sunday August 21st to go to the aid of a 60 ft fishing boat that got into difficulties 21 miles south east of the Old Head Of Kinsale. The lifeboat with a crew of seven was underway in minutes and located the casualty at 11.00. They took the steel fishing boat with its crew of six in tow. The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Fredrick Storey Cockburn arrived into Kinsale with the 160 tonne fishing vessel in tow after a 5 hour journey. Deft handling of the lifeboat by Coxswain Sean O Farrell ensured a smooth and safe berthing of the fishing vessel at the commercial Marina. With the casualty securely berthed and its crew safe, and the Lifeboat returned to its base in Courtmacsherry.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew: 6
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
On Tuesday 16th August, an alert was raised by the Coastguard service that a small 4m rowing boat was drifting out to sea from Howe Strand on the eastern shores of Courtmacsherry Bay. The two young oarsmen were unable to row against the tide and those on shore raised the alarm. The lifeboat launched at 14:00, a particularly quick launch because most of the crew were updating their First Aid skills at a First Aid course being hosted in the boathouse!
At 14:09 the lifeboat was stood down as the oarsmen were assisted ashore by another boat. The crew were back on the mooring and back at the course at 15:27.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-08-16 14:00
Recover: 2011-08-16 15:27
Weather:
On Saturday 13th August the Courtmacsherry Harbour Lifeboat was preparing for a scheduled exercise with an Irish Coastguard helicopter when at 13.17 a call came from Irish Coast Guard at Valentia that a 12m yacht with three people on board had become propped at a position 51.31.49N, 008.48.58W. and was requesting assistance.
The ALB launched at 13.23 and proceeded to the scene arriving in Clonakilty bay at at 1400 hrs. A tow was established and the tow to Courtmacsherry began at 14.08. In calmer waters, approximately a quarter of a mile off Blind Strand in Courtmacsherry Bay, a local diver offered to release the fouled propeller, which was accepted by the crew of the yacht. At 1450 hrs the casualty was released from the tow and the propeller freed.
The grateful crew of the yacht were happy to continue their journey to Baltimore while the crew of the lifeboat awaited the arrival of the coastguard helicopter for the planned exercise at 1600 hrs.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-08-13 13:23
Recover: 2011-08-13 15:55
Weather:
A call from an attendant diving boat at the site of the wreck Lusitania 10 miles South of the Seven Heads initiated a response form the Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat on the 26th July. While two divers were in the water, the engine of the attendant rib failed and the craft began to drift off the designated area, requiring a call for assistance. The Irish Coastguard Service at Valentia alerted the lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter rescue 115 at 15:35.
The lifeboat off the mooring and proceeding to the scene within 10 minutes. On arrival at the scene the divers were taken on board while the casualty was still incapacitated. A tow was established and the tow commenced to Kinsale. After making the powerless RIB fast at the pier in Kinsale and assured that all was well with its crew and the two divers, Coxswain Sean O Farrell set out for the home port of Courtmacsherry.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-07-26 15:45
Recover: 2011-07-26
Weather:
Saturday the 16th July started off as a pleasant sunny day with a fine sailing breeze for the Classic Boat Regatta in Glandore. The crew of the Courtmacsherry Harbour Lifeboat RNLI Fredrick Storey Cockburn assembled at 12.00 looking forward to leading the Parade of Sail at the regatta, scheduled for 1400 hrs. After leading a magnificent Parade Of Sail at Glandore, Coxswain Sean O'Farrell set a leisurely pace for home. While rounding the Seven Heads on the return passage to Courtmacsherry, with the wind increasing to 20 knots, radio operator Chris Guy received a call from Irish Coastguard at Valentia that a windsurfer was in difficulty on the western approach to Courtmacsherry harbour. Coxswain Sean Ó Farrell increased speed and set course for the casualty. While en route to the scene of this incident, the lifeboat received another call from Coastguard Radio at Valentia; a second windsurfer was in difficulty with a broken boom on the Eastern side of the harbour. The lifeboat arrived at the first windsurfer at 16:45.
Lifeboat crewmen Donal Young and Gearóid O Donovan showing practiced expertise with the A frame on the starboard side had both the the exhausted windsurfer and his surfboard aboard the lifeboat without interruption. The coxswain immediately set course for the second casualty, The wind in the meantime had been steadily increasing. A similar excellent maneuver with this casualty, this time on the port side, had the surfer on board in one move, and his surfboard taken on board without delay. Both surfers were very tired but not in need of medical assistance.
The lifeboat continued to Coolmain Point while the crewmen got the inflatable x-boat ready for launch. The two surfers were taken ashore on the x boat at Coolmain beach. While ashore, at 1740 hrs,radio operator Chris Guy got another call from Valentia; two Kayakers were reported missing on the Eastern side of the Old Head of Kinsale. The two inexperienced kayakers had previously been in contact off the Old Head, and bound for Sandycove Island. Not having turned up an hour later and with no kayaks visible in the area, the Coastguard was alerted by those waiting on shore.
The Coastguard tasked a helicopter to the incident as well as the Courtmacsherry Harbour and Kinsale lifeboats. As soon as the crew and X boat were back on board the Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat, a course was set for the Old Head of Kinsale some seven miles distant.
While still on the western side of the Old Head, information was received that the two kayakers had been located and rescued by Kinsale Lifeboat just outside Kinsale harbour. One of the kayakers had become separated from the kayak and was recovered from in the water. As this information was being received on Courtmacsherry Harbour Lifeboat the RNLI Fredrick Storey Cockburn received a call from Courtmacsherry. A kiteboarder had collided with a wall in Courtmacsherry and was in very serious condition ashore and needed oxygen. The first aid equipment available on board the lifeboat was an immediate priority.
Meanwhile on shore, Station treasurer Micheal Cox and third mechanic Tadhg Mc Carthy who were in the boathouse at the time were among the first to arrive at the injured kiteboarder with first aid.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew: Michael Cox, Dr. Michael Cuneen, Chris Guy, Tadhg McCarthy, Gearóid O Donovan, Donal Young
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-07-16 16:00
Recover: 2011-07-16 19:15:00
Weather:
Various reports to Coastguard on the 26 June of a fire on board a vessel seen SE of the Galley Head Lighthouse initiated an alert from Valentia Coastguard. The lifeboat launched at 2200 hrs and proceeded on course for the Galley Head. After clearing the Seven Heads, a large container vessel was seen on an easterly course with much smoke in its wake. Coxswain Sean O'Farrell set course for the vessel.
At 22:25 Coastguard Radio at Valentia established that this vessel was indeed the source of the smoke, but that they were informed that all was well and under control on board. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to Courtmacsherry.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Launch: 2011-06-26 22:00
Recover: 2011-06-27 00:10
Weather:
On the 4th June, approximately a half a mile SW of the Old Head of Kinsale, the 12.5m sailing vessel on passage from Baltimore to Crosshaven, suffered complete electrical failure. The crew of two could make no progress either under sail in the prevailing conditions. Coastguard were contacted and the lifeboat launched to its assistance at 17:31. The Lifeboat located the sailing yacht at 18.06 about a mile and a half SW of the Old Head of Kinsale. Coxswain Sean O'Farrell set up a tow without difficulty and made way for Courtmacsherry.
At 19:40, the yacht was brought alongside the pontoon in Courtmacsherry and made secure. With crew safely landed, the lifeboat refueled and returned to its mooring at 19:40 hrs, ready for service.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-06-14 17:31
Recover: 2011-06-14 19:40:00
Weather:
The lifeboat was stood down at 10.04, but continued to the scene to pick up the surfboard. The lifeboat began its return journey at 10:17 hrs, and arrived in Courtmacsherry at 11:25.
Cox:Seán O'Farrell.
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-06-13 09:30
Recover: 2011-06-13 11:45
Weather:
Wind against tide conditions and an uncooperative engine caused difficulty for a yachtsman in Courtmacsherry on 30th April. Once again an observant lifeboatman, this time Kevin Young, noticed a yacht appearently drifting some distance off the pier in Courtmacsherry. He hailed the crew of the yacht to inquire if they needed assistance to which they signaled the affirmative. The pagers were set off at 16:13, and the inflatable boarding boat - EA16 - was launched to take Coxswain Micheal O Donovan and his crew to the ALB. The crew of the yacht had in the meantime managed to get its engine started but had difficulty maneuvering in the prevailing conditions. The EA16 boarding boat was then used to transfer two Lifeboat crew to the yacht to assist in berthing.
The EA16 also helped in getting the yacht aligned. The yacht was brought safely alongside and secured. The Lifeboat crew disembarked and the boarding boat EA-16 was re-housed and ready at 17:45.
Cox: Micheal O Donovan
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07 and EA16
Launch: 2011-04-30 16:13
Recover: 2011-04-30 17:45
Weather:
On the 11th April, seven miles South east of the Old Head of Kinsale, a 12m fishing vessel found itself in difficulty with a rope around itʼs propellor. Unable to free the propellor, the skipper called Courtmacsherry lifeboat station asking for assistance. The lifeboat launched at 13:52 and arrived at the scene at 14:50. A tow was established and the vessel towed to Kinsale.
The Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat Fredrick Storey Cockburn under Coxswain Sean O Farrell took the casualty alongside the pier at Kinsale at 18.05. With the casualty secured alongside and its three crew safe, the lifeboat departed for home, arriving in Courtmacsherry at 19:45.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07 and EA16
Launch: 2011-04-11 13:52
Recover: 2011-04-11 20:00
Weather:
On the 25th March the lifeboat launched to the assistance of a 12m fishing vessel 37 miles south of Courtmacsherry. It had developed mechanical problems and had called Coastguard Radio at Valentia for assistance. The lifeboat launched under Coxswain Sean O'Farrell and arrived at the casualty at 15:04, and a tow established. The casualty was towed to Kinsale, arriving at 20:58.
With the casualty safe and secure alongside and its crew safe and well, the ALB Fredrick Storey Cockburn started on its return journey to Courtmacsherry, arriving home at 22:15, and ready for service at 22:40
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07 and EA16
Launch: 2011-03-25 13:27
Recover: 2011-03-25 22:40
Weather:
A young surfer was thought to be missing off Inchidoney beach on the 26th February. The lifeboat launched at 15.31 in response to a request from the Irish Coastguard Service at Valentia. Shortly after launch, the young surfer was located and found safe and well. The lifeboat stood down on receiving the information before reaching Inchidoney and returned to Courtmacsherry.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-02-26 15:31
Recover: 2011-02-26 16:45
Weather:
On February 23rd two miles south of the Seven Heads, a local 13m fishing vessel developed a serious engine failure, and radioed Valentia coastguard for assistance. The RNLI ALB Fredric Storey Cockburn launched to assist at 12.01, and reached the fishing vessel at 12.45. Coxswain Sean O Farrell established a secure tow and proceeded to tow the vessel to Courtmacsherry. The draught of the casualty was such that it would be unable to enter the harbour until 1800 hrs. so the lifeboat stood by to await the tide. The tow resumed and the fishing vessel successfully brought alongside and made secure at 1814 hrs.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-02-23 12:01
Recover: 2011-02-23 18:14
Weather:
On the 19th February, the lifeboat was proceeding on its regular Saturday morning exercise when a crew-member spotted an upturned canoe at Coolmain under Harbour view. The sea was quite rough with breaking waves at the entrance to the harbour near the canoe. Coxswain Sean O Farrell took the lifeboat over to investigate and found a canoeist in the water unable to right the canoe which had filled with water. The lifeboat was taken alongside and both the canoe and the canoeist were taken on board the lifeboat.
The Coxswain took the craft and the canoeist into calmer sheltered waters on the harbour, where the canoe was relaunched and canoeist made his own way to shore. The lifeboat then continued out to sea to complete its Saturday morning exercise schedule.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
An unoccupied car on Garretstown beach formed the genesis of a lifeboat call on the 17th February. An observant local had seen surfers leave a car earlier in the day and noticed that at 1821 hrs, no surfers were visible on the beach nor were any cars present other than the one from which the surfers had earlier emerged. As light was fading the observer properly called the coastguard with the information.
The coastguard asked the lifeboat to stand in readiness. With darkness falling and as surfers would be difficult to spot in the dark, the lifeboat launched at 18.30 hrs. The lifeboat was stood down at 1840 by the coastguard who had located the surfers safely ashore. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready again at 1900 hrs.
Cox: Seán O'Farrell
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch: 2011-02-17 18:30
Recover: 2011-02-17 18:40
Weather:
On the 22nd January an ever alert deputy coxswain Mark John Gannon walking along the pontoon at Courtmacsherry noticed the waterline of a local fishing boat was actually under water by a few inches, yet the wooden fishing boat was at the pontoon and unladen. A quick inspection by one of the two crew-hands on board found an unhealthy volume of water in the bilge; the boat was sinking.
Second coxswain Mark Gannon and LOM Brian O Dwyer were actually on the pier at the time so a few quick shouts had the pagers off, to alert the crew of the lifeboat. The powerful bilge pump on the RNLI ALB Fredrick Storey Cockburn was picked up by the crew off the lifeboat within a few minutes and transferred to the sinking fishing boat. The crew lost no time in putting the pump to use and in a few minutes were getting the better of the flooding water on board the sinking boat. At this stage the water was just below the scuppers. The fishing vessel was kept afloat until there was sufficient tide to bring it round to the slipway nearby and await repairs.
Cox:
Crew:
Lifeboat: 14-07
Launch:
Recover:
Weather:
