Ballycotton Lifeboat

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution exists to save lives at sea and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Registered Charity No CHY2678

Service Calls for 2003

Service Calls for 2004

Service Calls for 2005

Service Calls for 2006

All service reports are listed with the most recent at the top of the page

21/06  13/10/06  Remoored:  14:40  Weather: SSE  F4  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Trevor McNamara, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett

The owner of the pleasure craft, Flying Fish, contacted a member of Ballycotton lifeboat crew looking for assistance.  They were experiencing mechanical difficulties approx. 1 mile west of Ballycotton lighthouse.  The 26 foot vessel with four people on board had dropped anchor 1/2 off shore and awaited the arrival of the lifeboat.  The Austin Lidbury took the vessel in tow and returned to Ballycotton, safely securing it to the pier.  The Ballycotton lifeboat was ready for service again at 14:40.

20/06  01/10/06  Remoored: 23:15  Weather: WNW F 3 / 4  Vis. Good  Sea: Calm  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Eolan Walsh, Peter O'Shea, Niall Hassett, Redmond Lane Walsh, Orla Lynch, Andrew Rowley

A member of the public noted what he thought was a vessel on fire off Inch Strand, near Power Head, and raised the alarm.  The Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, was launched at 22:30 and proceeded to the scene.  Crosshaven lifeboat was also launched to investigate and reported a vessel anchored near the mouth of Cork Harbour with its deck lights on.  The lifeboats were stood down and Ballycotton Lifeboat returned to station.  The Austin Lidbury was remoored and ready for service again at 23:15.

19/06  17/09/06  Remoored: 04:30  Weather: SSW F 4  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Redmond Lane Walsh, Mike Hallahan, Andrew Rowley, Máire Scanlon, Orla Lynch, Padraig Finn, Trevor McNamara. Peter O'Shea

The LOM, John Tattan, was alerted that the MFV Paulona was experiencing steering problems 14 miles south of Ballycotton.  Valentia Coastguard were advised and the Ballycotton Lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, was launched.  A towline was established and the 44 ft. fishing vessel was towed to Ballycotton, arriving at 03:45.  The Austin Lidbury was refuelled and ready for service again at 04:30.

18/06  26/08/06  Remoored:  20:15  Weather:  NW F. 3  Vis. Good  Sea: Calm  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Aidan Sliney, Andrew Rowley, Niall Hassett, Trevor McNamara, Redmond Lane Walsh

A concerned member of the public alerted the emergency services to what she thought were two people in difficulties in Ballycotton Bay.  The Ballycotton lifeboat and the station boarding boat proceeded to the search area.  The boarding boat went ashore and spoke to two kite surfers, who confirmed they had been in the area a  short time previously but that they had swum ashore.  Ballycotton lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

17/06  26/08/06  Remoored:  18:40  Weather: Fresh F 5  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Orla Lynch, Andrew Rowley, Aidan Sliney

The Ballycotton Lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, was launched at 10:00 to a 40 foot French yacht, 40 miles south east of the station.  The yacht, with six persons on board, were experiencing steering difficulties and sought assistance from the emergency services.  The lifeboat reached the yacht at 12:00 and established a tow.  The yacht was towed to Crosshaven where it was safely secured.  The Austin Lidbury returned to station, where it was refuelled and ready for service again at 18:40.

View picture

16/06  19/08/06  Remoored:  18:00  Weather: W F4 / 5  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Eolan Walsh (Cox), Peter O'Shea, Redmond Lane Walsh, Orla Lynch, Niall Hassett, Máire Scanlon

Whilst on the pier, Cox Eolan Walsh, noticed that the yacht, Salut, when manoeuvring to pick up a mooring buoy outside Ballycotton Harbour, accidentally took the rope from it's own dingy, which it was towing at the time, onto its propeller.  The yacht managed to manoeuvre, with the help of its own sail, to keep clear of the harbour and made out into the safety of Ballycotton Bay.  They attempted to free the rope themselves but eventually sought the assistance of the lifeboat.  The Austin Lidbury was launched to tow the 32 foot yacht into the safety of the harbour.  The Austin Lidbury was refuelled and ready for service again at 18:00.

15/06  10/08/06  Rehoused: 19:45  Weather: NW F.6 / 7  Vis. Good  Sea: Choppy  Crew: Redmond Lane Walsh, Niall Hassett

D Class boarding boat had launched to assist 2 teenagers in Ballycotton Bay and on returning to station found the yacht, Sea Urchin, had fouled its propeller on the all weather lifeboat's moorings.  Helmsman, Redmond Lane Walsh and crewmember, Niall Hassett, proceeded to lend assistance.  They cut the mooring rope free of the yacht's propeller and towed him to the breakwater in Ballycotton harbour.

14/06  10/08/06  Remoored:  19:40  Weather:  NW F. 6 / 7  Vis. Good  Sea: Choppy  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Peter O'Shea, Niall Hassett, Redmond Lane Walsh, Maria Morrison

The alarm was raised by a member of the public that 2 teenagers were on board an inflatable dingy that had been blown offshore in Ballycotton Bay.  The Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, the lifeboat boarding boat, 2 boarding boats from the LE Ciara and a local angling boat all proceeded to the search area.  The inflatable dingy was located immediately and the two teenagers were transferred to the lifeboat boarding boat by naval personnel.  The teenagers were landed ashore at Ballinamona beach in Ballycotton Bay and safely returned to their family. 

13/06  30/07/06  Remoored:  16:30  Weather:  SW F. 4 / 6  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate swell  Crew:  Brendan Pitt (Cox), Peter O'Shea, Trevor McNamara, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Padraig Finn

At 15:00 the pagers were activated to assemble the crew to the station.  A call had been received from the fishing vessel, Sailors Guide, in difficulties 2 miles off Ballycotton.  The Austin Lidbury was launched to its assistance.  A towline was established and the casualty was towed to Ballycotton.  The fishing vessel was safely secured alongside the pier wall at 16:10. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 16:30.

12/06  08/07/06  Remoored:  21:30  Weather: Squally Gale Force 8  Vis. Poor  Sea: Very rough  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Francis McMahon, Andrew Rowley,  Niall Hassett

Before the crew could remove their gear a yacht has overheard onto Cork Radio sending out a mayday.  The lifeboat was tasked to their assistance.  The 30 foot yacht, Chia Chia, on passage from Liverpool to Crosshaven to take part in Cork Week with three persons on board, was worried they would loose their mast in the difficult weather conditions, as some of the stays had already broken.  The lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, headed for the casualty.  They rendezvoused at the mouth of Cork Harbour and escorted the yacht into Crosshaven.  The lifeboat returned to station where it was refuelled for service again at 21:30. 

11/06  08/07/06  Remoored: 16:50   Weather: Squally  SW F 6 / 7  Vis. Poor  Sea: Rough  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Francis McMahon, Andrew Rowley,  Niall Hassett

A member of the public alerted the emergency services of a windsurfer missing for 40 minutes in Ballycotton Bay.  The crew pagers were activated and the crew assembled at the station.  The Ballycotton Lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, and the lifeboat boarding boat were both launched to search the area.  Ballycotton Coastguard unit began a search of the shoreline and local vessels assisted in the search.  After approx. 30 minutes a report was received that the missing windsurfer had managed to swim ashore at Garryvoe Strand.  The boarding boat went to confirm this was the case and the search was called off.  The Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury was ready for service again at 16:50.

10/06  26/06/06  Remoored: 12:30  Weather: Cloudy NNE F.4 / 5  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate / choppy  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Eolan Walsh, Mike Hallahan, Orla Lynch, Niall Hassett, Andrew Rowley, Máire Scanlon

The pagers were activated at 08:00 and the crew assembled at the station.  The MFV Kingfisher had fouled its propeller.  The relief lifeboat, John Neville Taylor, slipped her moorings at 08:15 and proceeded to the scene, 18 miles south south east of Ballycotton.  A towline was established and the fishing vessel was towed to Ballycotton where it was safely tied up alongside the pier wall.  The John Neville Taylor was refuelled and ready for service again at 12:30.

09/06  15/06/06  Remoored:  20:10  Weather: SW 3 / 4  Vis. Good  Sea: Calm  Crew:  Brian O'Driscoll (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Andrew Rowley

The pagers were activated at 19:05.  The crew assembled at the station and were advised there was 28 foot rib with mechanical failure east of Ballycotton lighthouse.  The relief lifeboat, John Neville Taylor, slipped her moorings and proceeded to the casualty.  The pleasure craft with 7 persons on board were taken in tow back to Ballycotton.  The John Neville Taylor was remoored and ready for service again at 20:10.

08/06  22/05/06  Remoored:  01:30 (23/05/06)  Weather SW F 5 / 6  Vis. Good  Sea: Rough  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Eolan Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Brian Moyter, Niall Hassett, Laura McLeod

An emergency call was made by the 50 foot yacht, Navilus, that they were running low on fuel and experiencing engine problems 37 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The pagers were activated at Ballycotton lifeboat station and the Austin Lidbury was launched at 12:15 and headed for the scene.  The LE Niamh was on patrol in the area and asked if they could be of any assistance.  Rescue helicopter 117 was tasked and remained at the scene until the lifeboat was 5 miles from the casualty, at which time it had to depart as it was running low on fuel.  Two juveniles were transferred from the yacht to the lifeboat by the naval boarding boat and two crewmembers we placed aboard the yacht.  The naval vessel put diesel onboard the yacht in the hope that this would resolve the problem and the yacht proceeded under its own steam, escorted by the Ballycotton lifeboat.  However, the engine problems persisted and a towline was established.  The yacht was taken to Crosshaven, where it was safely moored at 23:45.  The Ballycotton lifeboat returned to station, where is was refuelled and ready for service again at 01:30. 

07/06  21/04/06  Crew: Ian Sheridan, Michael Lane Walsh, Eolan Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Brian Motyer, Padraig Finn, Peter O'Shea, Diarmuid Walsh

Ballycotton Lifeboat Station received a phone call that a man had fallen over the cliffs in Ballycotton.  The pagers were activated and the crew assembled at the lifeboat house.  The lifeboat crewmembers reached the casualty and placed him in a stretcher.  They  brought him back to the lifeboat house where he was administered to by a doctor.  He was removed by ambulance to hospital.

06/06  18/04/06  Remoored: 19:25  Weather:  SW F4  Vis.  Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Niall Hassett, Diarmuid Walsh, Maria Morrison

Station was informed that the fishing vessel, Honeydew II, had mechanical failure and was under tow by another trawler in the vicinity.  Because of the draft of the other trawler it would not be possible for it to enter Ballycotton harbour due to the state of the tide.  The decision was made to launch the Ballycotton Lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, who met the casualty 4 miles SE of Ballycotton, where the towline was passed.  The MFV Honeydew II was safely secured alongside the pier wall at 19:10.  Ballycotton Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 19:25.

05/06  07/04/06  Remoored:  20:25  Weather: SW 5/ 6  Vis. Moderate  Sea:  Moderate  Crew: Sean O'Farrell (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Orla Lynch, Brian Motyer, Niall Hassett

The station was advised of a seaman in need of emergency medical assistance 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The pager system was activated and the crew assembled at the station.  The Austin Lidbury slipped her moorings at 18:10 and proceeded to rendezvous with a foreign registered tanker on passage to Foynes, Co. Limerick.  Rescue 117 was also tasked to the area.  The seriously ill seaman was airlifted to Ardkeane Hospital, Waterford and the Ballycotton lifeboat was stood down 4 miles from the scene.  The Austin Lidbury was refuelled and ready for service again at 20:25.

04/05  08/03/06  Remoored:  13:55  Weather: W 5 / 6  Vis: Poor  Sea: Rough  Crew: Sean O'Farrell (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Michael Hallahan, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Diarmuid Walsh

Ballycotton LOM, John Tattan, was alerted by Dublin Marine Coastguard that the MFV Clansman was disabled 26 miles ESE of Ballycotton and in need of assistance.  The 11 metre vessel with 3 persons aboard had suffered gearbox failure.  The Austin Lidbury slipped her moorings at 07:25 arriving at the scene at 08:35.  A towline was established and the stricken vessel was taken to Ballycotton where it was safely secured alongside the pier wall at 13:30.  The Austin Lidbury was refuelled and ready for service again at 13:55.

03/06 21/02/06   Remoored:  12:30  Weather: E F5 / 6   Vis:  Good  Sea:  Moderate  Crew: Eolan Walsh (Cox), Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Diarmuid Walsh, Padraig Finn, Niall O'Keeffe

The pagers at Ballycotton Lifeboat Station were activated at 03:35 and the crew assembled at the lifeboat station.  The Austin Lidbury slipped her moorings at 03:50 and proceeded 23 miles south south east to lend assistance to a 40 foot fishing vessel in difficulties.  The MFV Barbara Maria with 3 people on board was experiencing fuel difficulties and alerted the Marine Rescue Centre of their plight.  The Ballycotton lifeboat arrived at the casualty at 04:50 and established a towline.  They towed the fishing vessel to Crosshaven, arriving at 10:30, where it was safely secured alongside the pier.  The Austin Lidbury returned to station, where it was refuelled and ready for service again at 12:30.

02/06  11/02/06  Remoored: 20:30  Weather: SW F5  Vis. Good  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Redmond Lane Walsh (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Niall Hassett, Máire Scanlon, Francis McMahon

Whilst preparing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Daunt Rock Lightship Rescue the pagers were activated and the crew assembled at the lifeboat house.  They were advised the 80 ft fishing vessel, Chloe B, with three people aboard, had sustained mechanical difficulties 19 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The Austin Lidbury slipped her moorings at 14:40 and headed for the casualty, arriving at 15:55.  A towline was attached and the stricken fishing vessel was taken to Ballycotton, arriving at 19:50, where it was safely manoeuvred alongside the pier wall.  The Ballycotton Lifeboat, Austin Lidbury was refuelled and ready for service again at 20:30.

01/06  09/02/06  Rehoused:  16:10  Weather:  NW F4  Vis: Good  Sea: Calm  Crew:  Eolan Walsh (Cox), Máire Scanlon, Maria Morrison

The station was alerted by the head of the local Coastguard unit, John Walsh, that an elderly residents pet dog had fallen over the cliffs and was stranded on a beach, which was only accessible by sea.  The lifeboat boarding boat was launched and the dog retrieved and returned to his very grateful owner.