The RNLI Castletownbere based
lifeboat “Annette Hutton” responded to a fishing vessel in
difficulties off the
West Cork
coast in the early hours of this morning.
The 36’ wooden fishing vessel “Portán”, with just one person on board, suffered mechanical failure two
miles south of Shot Head in the
Beara
Peninsula
. Castletownbere lifeboat was requested to assist at just after
3.30 a.m.
Castletownbere lifeboat, under coxswain Brian O’Driscoll and crew
Brendan Gonnelly, Paul Stevens, Martin Cronin, Dan Murphy, Adrian Sparrow, and Joe
Tim O’ Sullivan was launched at
3.45 a.m.
and located the casualty at
4.25 a.m.
in south westerly force four winds and a moderate sea swell. Two members
of the lifeboat crew boarded the vessel to assist the boat owner and to
prepare for the towing operation. The vessel was taken in tow and
arrived at the Pier in Castletownbere at
6.55 a.m.
Castletownbere Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again by
7.30 a.m.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Tony O’Sullivan stated, “This is the
tenth call-out for our new lifeboat since its arrival last August. In a
very short time the “Annette Hutton” is already proving her worth in
terms of speed and capability.” The RNLI provides 24 hour search and
rescue cover 365 days a year.
