Saturday 4^th September 2004

RNLI  Lifeboat and Helicopter called to stricken vessel

 Emergency services were tasked early this morning as a fishing vessel got into difficulties eighty miles south west of Castletownbere, Co Cork .  

At 5.41 this morning, the Castletownbere based F.V. “Boy Jason”, a 27 metre fishing vessel less than a year old, alerted Valentia Coastguard Radio that “she was taking water rapidly and needed immediate assistance”. The boat, with five crew on board, had been fishing when the emergency occurred.  

Castletownbere’s new RNLI Severn class lifeboat “Annette Hutton” was launched immediately under Deputy 2^nd Coxswain Paul Stevens with crew Brendan Gonnelly, Michael Murphy, Paddy O’Conor, Philip O’Driscoll, Darren Morsley , and Joe O’Sullivan. The Shannon based Sikorsky Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was also tasked immediately. Both rescue services proceeded to the position given while the vessel itself attempted to rectify its difficulties and pump out its flooding engine room.  

At just after 7.30 a.m. the “Boy Jason” contacted the lifeboat and reported that the difficulties had been contained, engines restarted, and that the vessel was seaworthy. Both emergency services were stood down by Valentia Coastguard and Castletownbere lifeboat returned to port at 8.51 a.m.  

The crew of the fishing vessel expressed its gratitude to both the lifeboat and helicopter for their fast response to what could have been potentially a life-threatening situation.

ENDS

Saturday 4^th September 2004
17.25