Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch by the Coast Guard at 7.30pm this evening (6 January) to a report of a red distress flare being reported by the control tower at Cork airport.
A compass bearing was given which put the incident in the vicinity of the mouth of Cork harbour. The Atlantic 75 class lifeboat Miss Betty with Helm Alan Venner and lifeboat crew volunteers Ian Venner and Vince Fleming searched a large area in seas of 2 metres high between Ringabella and Roches Point.
Crosshaven and Guileen Coast Guard units were also tasked to carry out shoreline searches from Roberts Cove in the West to Trabolgan in the East. All commercial and fishing vessels in the locality were contacted and asked to assist with Radar sweeps of the area.
After an intensive search lasting well over 2 hours the lifeboat returned to Station. Commenting on the incident, Ray Heffernan, Volunteer lifeboat launching authority, believed Chinese Lanterns were to blame. He said “ between the RNLI crews on the lifeboat and those manning the station, and the two Coast Guard units searching the shoreline, up to 60 volunteers spent the evening trying to locate the source of the flare. Until we are absolutely satisfied that no persons are in danger , we have to keep the search up”.
