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 

Service Calls for 2007  Service Calls for 2008

Service Calls for 2009

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

18/10  28/07/10   Rehoused: 17:00   Weather: NW F 3 / 4   Vis. Good   Crew: Ian Sheridan, Redmond Lane Walsh

A member of the public contacted the Coast Guard having spotted two children in a dingy being blown out into Ballycotton Bay from Garryvoe Strand.  Their father swam out to help them ashore but the inflatable dingy was taken away by the breeze.  The Ballycotton Lifeboat boarding boat was launched at 16:40 and the inflatable dingy was retrieved near Ballycotton lighthouse.

17/10  22/07/10  Remoored: 02:00  Weather: Variable F. 3  Sea: Calm  Vis. Good  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Peter O'Shea, Maire Scanlon, Redmond Lane Walsh, Padraig Finn, William Sliney

Reports were received from members of the public of flares sighted off Power Head, east of Cork Harbour.  Ballycotton lifeboat was requested to launch to investigate.  Following an extensive search of the area nothing was found and the lifeboat was stood down. 

16/10  16/07/10  Remoored:  18:30  Weather: SW F. 4 / 5  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Redmond Lane Walsh, Maire Scanlon, Mike Hallahan, Kevin Casey

Valentia Coastguard received a call for assistance from the Irish registered fishing vessel, Tea Rose, which had a fouled propeller 31 miles south of Ballycotton.  The lifeboat Austin Lidbury arrived at the casualty at 12:05 and established a towline.  The 23 metre fishing vessel, with 5 persons aboard, was safely towed to Ballycotton harbour.

15/10  12/07/10  Remoored: 16:30  Weather: SSE F. 1 / 2  Sea: Calm  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Redmond Lane Walsh, William Sliney, Aiden Sliney, Maire Scanlon, John Scanlon

Valentia Coastguard was alerted that a 40 ft cruiser had fouled its propeller on fishing pots in the water 1 mile east of Ballycotton lighthouse.  The Austin Lidbury launched and succeeded in freeing the casualty from the fishing pots.  A towline was established and the cruiser was towed to Ballycotton harbour.

14/10  10/07/10  Remoored: 19:15  Weather: SSW F 6 / 7  Sea: Moderate / Rough Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Maire Scanlon, Padraig Finn, Peter O'Shea

Valentia Coastguard was contacted by the 31 ft Irish registered yacht, Prima Nocte, seeking assistance.  They were on passage to Crosshaven to take part in Cork Week and were 8 miles east of Ballycotton.  Weather conditions were unpleasant with rough seas and wind blowing SSW F. 6 / 7.  Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, arrived on scene  and established a towline at 17:50.  The yacht, with four persons aboard, was towed to Ballycotton harbour where it was safely secured alongside the pier wall.

13/10  17/06/10  Rehoused: 13:00  Weather: NW F. 3  Sea: Calm  Vis. Good  Crew: Ian Sheridan, Michael Lane Walsh

A mayday was broadcast for a man overboard in Ballycotton harbour.  Cox. Ian Sheridan and mechanic, Michael Lane Walsh, launched the lifeboat boarding boat and retrieved the casualty from the water.  He was brought to the lifeboat house where he was medically examined by ambulance personnel before he returned to his friend.  It was felt that the wearing of a lifejacket and the speedy response of lifeboat personnel helped save this man's life.

12/10   16/06/10  Remoored:  23:45  Weather: Calm  Vis. Good  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Peter O'Shea, Eolan Walsh, Padraig Finn, Máire Scanlon

DLA was contacted to report a man overboard incident aboard the MV Julia car ferry.  Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, was launched.  On leaving the harbour the lifeboat station was advised that the missing person had been found on board the ferry and the lifeboat was stood down.

11/10  11/06/10  Remoored: 12:35  Weather NW F2  Vis. Good  Sea: Calm  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Redmond Lane Walsh, Mike Hallahan, John Scanlon, Richard Walsh, Aiden Sliney

A request for assistance was received by Valentia Coast Guard from the yacht Carsium.  The 31 ft yacht, with two persons aboard, had fouled its propeller 5 miles east of Ballycotton.  The Ballycotton lifeboat was requested to launch and the Austin Lidbury arrived on scene at 11:35.  A lifeboat crewmember was placed aboard the casualty and succeeded in freeing the fouled propeller.  The yacht continued its journey and the lifeboat returned to station.

10/10  09/05/10   Remoored:  13:15  Weather:  NE F. 5 / 6 Vis. Good  Crew: Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Padraig Finn, Diarmuid Walsh, Niall O'Keeffe

The pagers were activated for the second time in the same night.  This time it was to an Irish registered fishing vessel 37 miles south east of Ballycotton.  They alerted to emergency services that they had fouled their propeller and were in need of assistance.  The Austin Lidbury arrived on-scene at 06:05 and established a tow.  The stricken vessel was safely towed to Ballycotton, arriving at 12:45.  The lifeboat was readied for service again, having been at sea for 8 3/4 hours.

09/10  08/05/10  Remoored:  01:30 (09/05/10)  Weather:  NE F. 3 / 4  Vis. Good  Crew:  Brendan Pitt (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Aidan Sliney

A member of the public contacted the Gardai with her concerns about a yacht.  While taking a stroll on the cliffs she viewed a yacht that appeared to be having difficulties with its sail.  The Gardai contacted Ballycotton lifeboat station and it was decided to launch to check it out.  No vessel was found to be in difficulties and the lifeboat returned to station.

08/10   04/05/10   Remoored:  23:20  Weather:  N Force 3 / 4 Vis. Good   Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Redmond Lane Walsh, Niall Hassett, Peter O'Shea, Diarmuid Walsh

Reports of a red flare seen off Rocky Bay, west of Cork Harbour, were reported to the emergency services.  At 21:10 three lifeboat station crew pagers were activated, Kinsale, Crosshaven and Ballycotton.  The Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, was also launched.  A search of the area was carried out but nothing was found.  After half an hour the emergency services were satisfied there was no-one in danger and the RNLI lifeboats and helicopter were stood down.

07/10  10/04/10  Remoored:  03:20  Weather:  SE F. 3  Vis.  Good  Crew: Eolan Walsh (Cox), Peter O'Shea, Máire Scanlon, Padraig Finn, Diarmuid Walsh, Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh

Ballycotton lifeboat station received a report of a fisherman late returning to harbour and uncontactable by phone or radio.  The Austin Lidbury was launched at 01:25 and headed for the estimated position where the fishing vessel was thought to have been at 22:00.  A red flare was spotted by lifeboat crew and the lone fisherman was recovered from a life raft.  His condition was assessed and no medical assistance was requested.  He was landed ashore at Ballycotton where his family awaited him.

06/10  15/02/10  Stood down: 23:45  Weather SSW  Vis. Overcast  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Niall Hassett, Redmond Lane Walsh, Peter O'Shea, Aiden Sliney

The emergency services were alerted at 23:23 to a possible problem aboard a transatlantic flight with over 190 passengers aboard.  Some electrical problems were being experienced and Ballycotton lifeboat was put on standby.  The flight landed safely in Heathrow airport, London, without incident and Ballycotton lifeboat was stood down.

05/10  04/02/10  Remoored: 03:00 on 05/02/10  Weather: SSE F. 4 / 5  Vis. Moderate  Sea: Moderate  Crew: Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Niall Hassett, Peter O'Shea, Máire Scanlon, Aiden Sliney, William Sliney

On the night of 4 February the coastguard activated the Ballycotton lifeboat crew pagers at 21:40 to a fishing vessel in difficulties 10 miles ESE of Ballycotton.  The 24 metre Irish registered fishing vessel, Sceptre, had lost its steering and was in need of a tow.  The Austin Lidbury reached the casualty at 22:50 and established a tow.  Sea conditions in the area were choppy and with no steering on the vessel the tow was slow.  The fishing vessel, with five persons aboard, arrived at Ballycotton harbour 02:30 on the morning of 5 February where it was safely secured alongside the pier wall.

04/10  23/01/10  Remoored:  14:30  Weather:   Variable F. 3 Vis.  Good  Sea:  Calm   Crew:  Ian Sheridan (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh, Redmond Lane Walsh, Peter O'Shea, Colm Sliney

The MFV Sailor's Guide alerted the Coastguard that they had a foulded propellor 2 miles east of Ballycotton Lighthouse.  Assistance was requested and Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, was launched.  The 32 ft fishing vessel, with three person's on board, was taken under tow to Ballycotton harbour.

03/10  17/01/10  Remoored: 12:30  Weather:  SW F. 3  Vis. Good  Sea: Slight swell  Crew: Niall Hassett (Cox), Peter O'Shea, William Sliney, Aiden Sliney, Redmond Lane Walsh, Diarmuid Walsh, Máire Scanlon, Padraig Finn

Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched to assist the MFV Kate Marie who was experiencing mechanical difficulties 4 miles south east of Ballycotton lighthouse.  A towline was established and the 36 ft. fishing vessel, with two fishermen aboard, was towed safely to Ballycotton.

02/10  16/01/10  Remoored: 04:20  Weather:  SSE F. 6  Vis. Moderate  Sea:  Rough  Crew: Niall Hassett (Cox), Peter O'Shea, Padraig Finn, Redmond Lane Walsh, Michael Lane Walsh, Kevin Casey 

The French registered fishing vessel, Pors Mogeur, requested assistance from the coast guard for an ill crewmember.  Ballycotton lifeboat was launched at 02:35.  The Austin Lidbury rendezvoused with the 24 metre fishing boat 4 miles south of Ballycotton at 03:20.  Sea conditions in the area were rough and it was decided to escort the Pors Mogeur into the calmer waters of Ballycotton bay.  Lifeboat crewmember, Michael Lane Walsh, was placed aboard the fishing vessel to assess the situation and assist in the transfer of the casualty from the fishing vessel to the lifeboat.  The ill fisherman was landed ashore at Ballycotton pier at 04:00 where an ambulance was waiting to remove him to hospital.

01/10  05/01/10  Remoored: 14:45  Weather:  NNW F.6  Vis: Good  Sea: Moderate   Crew:  Niall Hassett (Cox), Michael Lane Walsh,  Kevin Casey, Máire Scanlon, Redmond Lane Walsh, William Sliney, Niall O'Keeffe

Crew pagers were activated at 08:10 with the request to launch.  Some crewmembers had to clear ice from their windscreens in freezing temperatures in order to respond.  The Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, slipped her moorings at 08:30 and proceeded 20 miles east of Ballycotton.  The 20 metre French registered fishing vessel, An Dorchen, with five persons on board, had fowled their propeller with their fishing gear.  The lifeboat arrived on scene at 09:40 and established a tow line in Force 6 winds.  The Ballycotton lifeboat slowly towed the An Dorchen to Ballycotton, safely securing it alongside the pier wall at 13:50.

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