Volunteer crew of Kinsale RNLI were called out on four separate occasions over a three-day period last week.

On Thursday 28 August at 12.44pm, Miss Sally Ann (Baggy) went to the aid of pleasure craft, The Spirit of Kinsale, which had become propped by ropes and lost power near Charles Fort.  Assisted by Kinsale harbour master Cpt Phil Devitt and local divers Ocean Addicts, the crews from Kinsale and Courtmacsherry lifeboats were able to tow the vessel with 41 passengers and 2 crews on board to the safety of the marina. 

Kinsale RNLI Helm Nick Searls said: 'The master on board the pleasure craft deserves credit for his calm handling of the situation, ensuring all passengers were equipped with lifejackets and made aware of emergency procedures.  This reinforces the point that any vessel going to sea should have proper safety equipment and know how to react if they get into trouble.’ 

At 7.40pm that evening, the lifeboat launched for a second time to recover a yacht that had broken its moorings near the bridge.  The unmanned vessel was carried down river and across the harbour, coming to rest on rocks by Scilly.  RNLI volunteers towed to the yacht to the safety of the marina to ensure it would not present a danger to other shipping in the area.  As rougher weather approaches, owners are advised to reinforce their moorings to avoid damage to their own and to neighbouring vessels.

On Friday 29 August at 6pm, a member of the public reported a young lad in a punt in the harbour who was in need of assistance.  The lifeboat crew was quickly able to reach him on the shoreline near Castlepark and deliver him safely home. 

On Saturday 30 August at 5.30pm, volunteer crew on a routine training exercise were summoned to assist a motorboat that had lost power in Holeopen Bay East.  When efforts to restart the engine failed, the vessel was taken under tow and returned safely to its marina berth.

Photo: John Collins