The RNLI has been active rescuing a yachtsman at sea off Cork, a dog and its owner on the Wicklow coast and 25 people in separate incidents on inland waterways.
On Saturday Castletownbere RNLI in Co Cork rescued the lone sailor who had become injured on his yacht off Bere Island in the west of the county.
The yacht had been approaching Lonehart Harbour on the southern side of Bere Island when it hit a rock and the sailor was thrown forward, sustaining injuries to his face and leg.
The sailor was able to radio for help and the lifeboat Annette Hutton located him and his yacht at Island’s End . The crew then towed the yacht to Castletownbere RNLI Station where the injured man received medical attention. Castletownbere RNLI deputy launching authority Felix O’Donoghue said the rescued sailor was in good spirits and expressed his gratitude.
In Co Wicklow on Saturday, Wicklow RNLI came to the assistance of a man who had climbed down a cliff to rescue his dog. The lifeboat volunteers located the man and his dog near the water edge south of Travelahawk Beach.
Inshore lifeboat Helm, Alan Goucher said “it was too dangerous for the owner to climb back up the cliff with his dog. So, we transferred them onto the lifeboat and returned to the station”. Both pet and owner were uninjured and none the worst after their ordeal, he said.
The RNLI reiterated its advice to keep dogs on leads if they are walking close to cliff edges and if a pet gets into trouble at the coast do not attempt a rescue but call 999 or 112 and ask for the coast guard.
Lough Ree RNLI expressed concern about the number of boats on the Shannon Navigation which were running into difficulty. The station said it rescued 25 people in separate incidents over six days.
Rescues included taking a cruiser with 11 people off rocks and into safe water; four people who were onboard a cruiser stranded on Hexagon Shoal near Hare Island; nine people who ran aground off Hare Island and one person who was on a 34ft cruiser which had lost power off Carberry island.
Reflecting on a busy summer season, Lough Ree RNLI operations manager Jude Kilmartin advised boat users “to be aware of the falling water levels on the lake which has made rock shoals on the lake more dangerous. The best advice is to always remain within the navigation markers.”
