CROSSHAVEN RNLI ONCE AGAIN BUSIEST LIFEBOAT IN IRELAND

The Inshore lifeboat and the volunteer crew of Crosshaven RNLI were once again the busiest In Ireland.

2011 statistics released by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution show that the Crosshaven Lifeboat launched on service 46 times in 2011, and assisted 43 people ashore. The statistics also give some interesting facts. Of the 46 service launches, 16 were carried out in darkness and 2 were carried out in wind speeds of over Force 7. The Volunteer crews spent 169 hours at sea on service and a further 472 hours at sea training.

Nationally, The statistics show that launches to vessels suffering machinery failure still account for the largest number of callouts (187) followed by vessels reported to be in trouble (78), grounded (74) and capsizing (73).

Commenting on the 2011 statistics RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector Gareth Morrison said: 'Our lifeboat volunteers continue to show selfless dedication and commitment to saving lives. Some stations are extremely busy while others have less callouts but spend long hours at sea in awful conditions. There were some outstanding rescues last year including that to Rambler 100, in which Baltimore RNLI recovered 17 crewmembers off the upturned hull of the racing boat during the Fastnet race. Sadly there were also long searches for missing loved ones.
'The work of the volunteer lifeboat crews could not be made possible without the generosity of the public who in difficult times continue to support Irish lifeboat crews. While these figures give an interesting insight into search and rescue by the RNLI on Irish waters they are by no means the full story. As well as working to save lives at sea the RNLI provides other programmes and services for the public including sea safety advice and clinics, education roadshows and visits to lifeboat stations.'

The 2011 figures are being released in the wake of the RNLI Lifejackets for Lifesavers campaign which will see every lifeboat station in Ireland take delivery of new specially designed lifejackets in September. The lifejackets have been commissioned by the RNLI for search and rescue work
and have been given the seal of approval from lifeboat volunteers. The cost of providing the lifejackets for all 43 lifeboat stations in Ireland is estimated at €160,000.

Fishermen Aid Crosshaven RNLI

A large group of Fishermen belonging to the Draft Net Fishing Company who fish for salmon in Cork Harbour and the tidal River Lee visited the lifeboat station last evening (14 Feb) and presented the station with a huge cheque to the value of €1000.00 which was the proceeds of their annual fundraising venture. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the fishermen were Noel Hegarty and John Hennessey. The late Jerry Hegarty, who was tragically lost at sea  a year ago was a member of the Fishermans association, and his brother, Noel thanked the lifeboat crew for all the efforts they had put into recovering Jerry back to his family.

Patsy Fegan, Deputy Launching Authority at Crosshaven RNLI, thanked the Association for thinking of the RNLI as their chosen charity and reminded the group that the RNLI is a charity and without the support of benefactors such as themselves, the lifeboat would not be able to operate.

As the new  Baltimore "Tamar class" lifeboat was overnighting in Crosshaven en route to her new home, Coxswain Keiran Cotter kindly took the visitors on a tour of the new lifeboat.

Two hour search by Crosshaven Lifeboat after flare sighted

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”.

Crosshaven RNLI rescue Kayaker and assist another

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat this afternoon (Sunday 23 Oct) rescued one person who had become capsized from his kayak within Cork Harbour. Conditions at the time were poor with 2m seas and Gale force 8 to 9 winds. A member of the public alerted the Coast Guard at Valentia to the plight of the Kayakers near Fort Camden. Crosshaven Volunteer lifeboat launched immediately with Jonathan Grey, Vincent Fleming and Ian Venner in command. The kayakers had drifted further into the harbour when the lifeboat found a person in the water holding onto his kayak for bouyancy. He and his kayak were quickly brought onto the liferaft. A second kayaker was also taken onboard the lifeboat due to the serious weather conditions. Both kayakers were well equipped and required no medical intervention.

The casualties and their kayaks were put ashore at Cobh.

Crosshaven RNLI crew member retires

At a function on Saturday last, Gary Heslin retired from active service with the volunteer RNLI Crosshaven lifeboat after eleven years service. Gary, a firefighter with Cork City fire brigade has been a member
of the crew and a Helm since the station was established in 2000.

Gary now moves to the back room staff of the lifeboat station. In the photograph, Treasurer Matt Foley presents Gary with his parting gift!

Busy evening for Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat with angler rescued from rocks

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat were tasked to two incidents in quick succession this evening (Wed 31 Aug). The volunteer crew were initially paged at 20.15 to a RIB (rigid inflatable Boat) with three persons on board that had broken down in the Drakes pool area of the Owenabue River. The lifeboat was quickly on scene and towed the vessel to the slipway where it was safely recovered.

The lifeboat had also been recovered and made ready for sea when the second call of the evening came in. A shore angler was cut off by the tide in the Nohoval Cove area, but due to a poor and intermittent telephone signal, his exact position was unknown. Oyterhaven Coast Guard and the fishing vessel “Veronica” provided extra back up to the lifeboat during the search with the “Veronica” providing powerful searchlight illumination and relaying radio communications.

Eventually, the man was located and taken off the rocks by the lifeboat and put ashore into the care of the Coast Guard. Four hours after the original call out, the volunteer lifeboat crew returned to station and once again recovered and refuelled the lifeboat ready for the next call.

Crosshaven RNLI assist person & dogs at Roberts Head

A man who scrambled down a cliff to retreive his dog, ended up up being evacuated from the cliff base by Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat.

At 6.10pm this evening, Valentia Coast Guard tasked the lifeboat with volunteers Vincent Fleming, Denis Cronin and Kieran Coniry to the incident at Barry Head. Oysterhaven and Crosshaven Coast Guard units were at the cliff top, but the casualty was unwilling to face the steep ascent. Helmsman Kieran Coniry skilfully brought the lifeboat to within wading distance of the shore where the man and his two dogs were brought onboard. The casualty was put ashore into the care of the Coast Guard at Nohoval Cove.

Commenting on the incident, RNLI deputy launching authority, Patsy Fegan said “This incident underlines the fact that members of the public should think carefully before chasing after pets which in turn may put them in a position of danger. Thankfully, this service had a good outcome.”

Crosshaven RNLI appeals for fundraising volunteers

Crosshaven RNLI is looking for people with a few hours to spare to join the fundraising branch of Crosshaven Lifeboat Station. If you can spare a few hours each year or would like to get more actively involved with the branch, then Trudy Austin, the Branch Secretary would like to hear from you. Trudy can be contacted on via the station.

The AGM of Crosshaven Lifeboat station will take place in the Station on Wednesday 17th May at 7.30pm. This is open to all, and we would be especially pleased to see new faces interested in helping out with fundraising.

Man saved in river rescue

Crosshaven RNLI volunteer Lifeboat launched at 17.22 (18th April) after a RNLI member who was driving by noticed an elderly man clinging to the side of his boat after falling in at limekiln corner on the Owenabue River. Fortunately, volunteer Lifeboat crew were working nearby the station and the Atlantic 75 lifeboat ‘Miss Betty’ was launched almost immediately. On arrival, the by now hypothermic and exhausted casualty was taken aboard the ILB (inshore Lifeboat) and rushed to the station. The Honorary medical adviser gave the casualty a hot shower along with a full health check.

It is understood that the Gentleman fell into the water whilst transferring to his punt. He tried on a number of occasions to reboard his boat to no avail. Commenting on the rescue, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Alan Barton remarked “he didn’t think the man could have held on much longer, but with the speedy response of the lifeboat with the volunteer crew, it all worked out well.”

Toasty Toes for volunteer RNLI crew

When local Businessman and keen sailor, Jim McGinley, heard that a number of the volunteer crew at Crosshaven RNLI were using Heat Holder socks when on Miss Betty, the inshore lifeboat (ILB), He decided to do something for all of the crew.

Jim, Who’s company distributes the thermal socks, arrived at the lifeboat Station with 30 pairs of the socks to be distributed to the crew and shore helpers for those long cold nights when the lifeboat is at sea on service.

Thinking of the Ladies in the crew, he donated socks in pink as well as blue and green !

Alan Barton, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Crosshaven RNLI, thanked Jim and his Company for his generous donation which will ‘no doubt, give extra warmth and comfort to the crews whilst on service in cold and arduous conditions’

Photograph Crosshaven RNLI/Jon Mathers

Back Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Barton, Jim McGinley. Front, Lifeboat Crew, Con Crowley, David Venner and Alan Venner

Fisherman missing after boat flounders

A day of tragedy and drama unfolded today (20 Jan) when the volunteers of Crosshaven RNLI Station were tasked to an incident where a small fishing boat with two persons onboard had capsized close to the shoreline, West of Ringabella Bay. The informant was the Skipper of the vessel after he had
managed to swim to shore and run through fields to raise the alarm. His crewman was missing.

A major rescue operation got underway with the Crosshaven RNLI inshore lifeboat, Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat, the Naval Vessel LE Emer, the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 117, Crosshaven Coastguard unit and many privateb fishing and leisure craft all taking part.

Unfortunately, the missing crewman has not yet been found, Although Crosshaven and Ballycotton lifeboats are planning a two hour low water search between 2300 and 0100. The full search will resume tomorrow (Friday)
at first light.

Shortly after the crews returned to Crosshaven for dinner, the pagers again activated at 1909, this time to another 25' fishing vessel near Roches Point taking in water. Both Crosshaven and Ballycotton Lifeboats launched and placed salvage pumps aboard the casualty and stemmed the ingress of water enough to place the vessel under tow to Cobh, where she was safely berthed.

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat finishes 2010 with double callouts

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat has finished 2010 with two services on the last day of the first decade,making 2010 the busiest year of its 10 year existence.

The Volunteer crew members were awoken by pagers just after 4am, and requested to launch to the aid of a woman on rocks near Myrtleville. A combined rescue operation by the RNLI, Fire Service, Crosshaven Coastguard and the HSE brought the women to safety and onwards to hospital, where she is recovering. The volunteer crews headed back to their beds at 6.30 in the morning.

The afternoon peace was shattered by the shrill sound of pagers, again calling the crew. Valentia Marine rescue Centre informed the station of a 38 foot commercial fishing vessel which had become entangled in its own nets. The volunteer crew of Con Crowley, Gary Heslin and Vincent Fleming made their way through a moderate to rough sea to the vessel which was
near Power Head. As the vessels nets were also attached to the seabed, the nets had to be cut away before the Lifeboat could establish a tow back to Crosshaven, arriving some two hours later.

Lifeboat responds to sinking fishing boat

A major rescue operation swung into operation on Saturday Morning ( 13 Nov) outside Cork Harbour when a 27’ fishing boat sank in minutes with two people on board.

At 11.19am , Valentia Coast Guard alerted Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat that the fishing Vessel was in serious trouble off the Church Bay area and requested an immediate launch. Crosshaven lifeboat launched within 5 minutes and with its volunteer crew of Kieran Coniry, Dan O’Donoghue and Vincent Fleming, made good progress through a two metre sea swell arriving on scene to find the fishing boat had at this stage sank and the crew safely in the Liferaft.

The Ballycotton RNLI all weather Lifeboat was at sea on exercise at the time and immediately altered course to the incident. Crosshaven Coast Guard were also tasked and en route. When it became clear that the two crewmen were safely aboard the Crosshaven Lifeboat, the other emergency services were stood down. Crosshaven Lifeboat then brought the two fisherman back to Crosshaven.

Whilst it is unknown what caused the fishing boat to flounder, the crew had little time to deploy their liferaft and make an emergency call before the boat sank.

Crosshaven busiest inshore lifeboat in Ireland this summer

Preliminary figures for summer 2010, issued today (22 September) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), show the charity’s Irish lifeboats launched on average five times every day during June, July and August.

RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch 450 times during June, July and August. The busiest station in Ireland with an Inshore Lifeboat was Crosshaven with 19 launches. The busiest “All weather Lifeboat” was the Aran Islands lifeboat with 22 launches.

The figures come on the back of a significant investment by the charity in the Irish lifeboat fleet. New inshore lifeboats have been put on service in Dun Laoghaire, Kilrush in Clare and Fenit in Kerry. These new lifeboats are fast, efficient and technically equipped to reach casualties faster and to provide increased cover around the coast.

Commenting on the RNLI summer lifeboat launches, RNLI Training Divisional Inspector, Owen Medland, said, ‘It has been a busy Summer for Irish lifeboat crews. Over the course of those three months there have been a number of dramatic and challenging callouts for our volunteers. This summer RNLI Sea Safety volunteers have run a number of lifejacket clinics and flare demonstrations around the coast and at inland waterways to advise all water users on how to stay safe on the water.’

RNLI Operations Director, Michael Vlasto, added: ‘The summer is always busy as more and more people opt to relax at the coast. The figures show that our volunteers are called on much more during this time and the fact they respond every time the pager goes off shows just how committed they are to saving lives at sea.Many of our lifeboat volunteers are also particularly busy at this time with their day jobs as many of them work in the tourism industry, so we are especially grateful to them in summer – and to their employers who allow them to stop work at the “bleep of a pager” to help others, and given the current economic climate for businesses this is a great contribution to the charity.’

The RNLI offers free all-year-round safety advice for sea users and beach visitors at www.rnli.ie

Crosshaven RNLI assists yacht on fire

This afternoon (Saturday 28 Aug) , Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat went to the aid of a 27’ Yacht with a fire in the engine compartment that was being towed into Crosshaven by a passing Rib. On scene, Volunteer crew member Warren Forbes (a F/T Fireman) went aboard and checked the hatch. He decided that the amount of smoke in the cabin area was too dangerous to enter without BA Equipment. He transferred 3 of the yachts crew to the lifeboat and remained on board with the skipper.

Crosshaven Lifeboat took over the tow to Crosshaven Pier, where they had requested the Fire Brigade to meet them. On arrival at the pier, the Fire Brigade entered the yachts cabin wearing breathing apparatus and extinguished the fire which was thought to be in the soundproofing material around the engine. The yacht has suffered extensive smoke damage internally. The volunteer helm on this service was Ian Venner with Vincent Fleming. The Crosshaven Coast Guard Patrol RIB also attended the incident.

Crosshaven Lifeboat in 3 hour long distance service

Crosshaven RNLI Inshore Lifeboat undertook one of their longest distance services when they were tasked at 17.02 to a 10m Rib on passage from Falmouth to Baltimore, 12 miles south of Roches Point, when one of the crew suffered a suspected spinal injury. The Lifeboat transferred crewman Kevin Higgins onto the casualty vessel who assessed the injured crewman in radio consultation with the lifeboat Station Doctor. The lifeboat and RIB then proceeded to Crosshaven at a slow 5 knots arriving some 2 hours later. The casualty was then transferred to Cork University Hospital by ambulance. The helm on this Service was Ian Venner with Ritchie Kelleher.

Service to 18' yacht 10 June 2010

This evening the volunteer Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat went to the aid of an eighteen foot yacht on passage from the Kinsale area to Crosshaven. The yacht with two persons on board suffered mechanical failure and was having trouble making way into a headwind.

Initially, the yacht was assisted by the motor Cruiser “Callie” who took them on initial tow and informed the Coastguard in Valentia who made the decision to Launch the Crosshaven lifeboat at 7pm. The Volunteer crew made up of Helm Con Crowley with Vincent Fleming and Ritchie Kelleher made their way to the rendezvous between the Cork Bouy and Rennies Point and relieved the motor cruiser of the tow. Crewman Ritchie Kelleher boarded the yacht and helped rig the tow for the 40 minute journey back to Crosshaven where the yacht was secured.

Helm Con Crowley guides the disabled yacht back to Crosshaven whilst Crewman Ritchie Kelleher assists on the yacht.

Crosshaven Lifeboat Rescues owner and dog from mud bank

A women out walking her dog had a lucky escape this afternoon when she became trapped in mud near Hop Island in Cork harbour on a rising tide.
The women went after her dog which ran onto the mud banks and became
trapped. With the tide rising rapidly, The Crosshaven volunteer RNLI Lifeboat was launched
at 15.09 and crewed by volunteers Vincent Fleming, Bernard Lynch and Dennis Cronin.
The Coastguard Helicopter was also scrambled as were Crosshaven Coastguard and the Fire Service.
When the Lifeboat arrived, crewman Bernard Lynch entered the water to reassure the women who was by now
Waist deep in water and managed to extricate her and take her and her dog onto the Lifeboat. The lifeboat crew
landed the lady to the care of Ambulance personnel.

Four callouts in a week for Crosshaven RNLI

At 2245 this evening, Crosshaven Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat was launched to rescue a 26’ motor boat with two people on board which had suffered mechanical problems in Lough Mahon near Blackrock Castle . On arrival it was seen that the motor boat had grounded on the falling tide. With no possibilty of recovering the vessel, the Lifeboat took off the crew and landed them ashore. An attempt to refloat the vessel will be made around 10am tomorrow (Friday) at high tide. On this service the lifeboat was helmed by Gary Heslin with fellow volunteers Vincent Fleming and new crewman on his first emergency call, Jonathan Grey.

This service brings the total call outs to four this week. On Sunday last, two callouts were to vessels with mechanical problems and on Wednesday evening the lifeboat attended a motor boat which broke free from its moorings and went aground. A spokesman for Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat
Station “urged all leisure users in the harbour area to make sure their vessels are mechanically fit for sea and they are carrying enough fuel to get them back to shore”

Lifeboat saves 9 lives

Whilst on exercise on Sunday 6th December, Crosshaven volunteer RNLI Lifeboat happened upon 9 (nine) people floundering in the water at Lough Mahon in the upper Cork harbour area. The nine people in the water were the cox’n and 8 rowers from the UCC Rowing club. Conditions in Lough Mahon were described as rough with a westerly Force 7 wind blowing which swamped the Rowing boat causing it to partially sink and throw the crewinto the water. The UCC boat had a small safety boat with them, which was struggling to help the rowers. The Lifeboat plucked all
the rowers to safety and administered first Aid for Hypothermia and Shock, before taking them to the Shandon boat club for hot showers and drinks. After making sure everybody was in no further need of medical assistance,the Lifeboat returned to station in Crosshaven. It is believed the rowers were in the cold water for 20 minutes before the arrival of the RNLI Lifeboat. This incident shows the need for everybody using the sea to carry a VHF radio and flares
for use in cases of emergency. If the Lifeboat had not been out on exercise in that particular area and not happened upon the incident, the outcome may have had more serious consequences. This brings the number of services for Crosshaven Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat to 45 this Year.