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.

RNLI honour reluctant hero

On the 8th March last, one of the largest Rescue operations in the Cork harbour area swung into action when a car drove off the cross river ferry between Passage West and Cobh.
Two occupants of the vehicle were seen in the river immediately afterwards and Mr John Geary who lives near the ferry, heard the commotion and saw Lifebouys being thrown into the water from the ferry.
In the failing light, Mr Geary immediately launched his small rowing boat and paddled to the scene where he managed to locate one of the casualties. The small boat was in danger of being swamped when the survivor tried to climb in, but, Mr Geary managed to get the survivor to hold onto the stern of the boat and rowed him to the shore, where with another member of the public, they took him out of the water and handed him to medical personnel. Sadly, the second occupant of the vehicle was never found.

Crosshaven volunteer RNLI Lifeboat attended the scene along with the other rescue services and felt that Mr Gearys selfless actions in saving life were beyond normal expectations and reported Mr Geary’s rescue to the RNLI Headquarters in Poole. It was agreed that Mr Gearys actions warranted that he be honoured, and he has been awarded a framed “letter of Thanks” from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and signed by Mr Andrew Freemantle , the Chief Executive.

The citation reads in part “ I want to commend you on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for your public spirited and most commendable actions which resulted in the saving of the mans life. Well done. Indeed.”

RNLI Coastal Review Team Praise Crosshaven Lifeboat

In the first coastal review for five years, Royal National Lifeboat Institution inspectors have praised Crosshaven Lifeboat Station as an excellently run station and said they were highly delighted with the standards maintained there.

The team of seven inspectors were led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst CB, and was comprised of Michael Vlasto, the Operations Director, Peter Killen , the Irish representative on the board of Governors, Vicky Wright, an RNLI Trustee, Hugh Fogarty, Head of Fleet Operations, and Richard Leworthy from the fundraising committee. Martin Smith, the Divisional Inspector for Ireland completed the team.

After an inspection of the Lifeboat and the Station, John Tolhurst outlined to the Station personnel the future of the RNLI and new developments. Michael Vlasto, the operations director, then gave a report on the Crosshaven Lifeboat Station and praised the crew and management for their commitment in maintaining a first class operation under the auspices of Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Barton. He also expressed his thanks to the Sea Safety Team and the fundraising committee for their good work.

After the formal part of the inspection, the inspectors had refreshments and chatted with the crew present.

The Inspectors are on a 3 day tour of Lifeboat stations between Kinsale and Dun Laoghaire

SAILOR SAVED WITH MINUTES TO SPARE

A lone sailor was plucked to safety this evening moments before his 36' motor launch sank off Roberts Cove, Southwest of Cork Harbour by Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat. The Lifeboat launched at 19.29 with Volunteer RNLI crew of Kieran Coniry, Con Crowley and Gus O’Donovan and was on scene some 15 minutes later. On arrival the vessel was half submerged and sank a few minutes later. It is believed the vessel struck a rock after suffering engine failure. The sailor who was uninjured , but shocked, was returned to Crosshaven by the Lifeboat.

Lucky escape for 7 youths in late-night incident

Seven youths had a very lucky escape early this morning when the small 7’ punt they were in capsized between Crosshaven and Currabinny. Valentia Coastguard received multiple 999 calls at 0052 after their shouts for help were heard by local villagers and live aboard yachtsman. Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat immediately launched with RNLI volunteers Ian Venner as Helm and Vincent Fleming & Kevin Higgins as Crew. White parachute flares were launched from the lifeboat station to illuminate the area whilst the search continued. Two youths made their own way to shore and left the scene. The five other youths were rescued by live aboard yachtsmen as the lifeboat was launching and taken to the Lifeboat Station where they were treated for mild hypothermia. Lifeboat Operations Manager, Alan Barton said "This could very well have ended in tragedy this last night. The punt was heavily overloaded and only two of the youths had lifejackets - one of which had no gas bottle. Furthermore, going afloat after a night out is to be avoided."

He went on to say " Seven families this morning are sitting down to breakfast with their children……It was only by the very smallest of margins the outcome wasn't very different". Mr Barton also praised the two yachtsmen that launched their own dinghys and assisted in rescuing some of the youths.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Jon Mathers
RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer
Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Station
Crosshaven
Co Cork

+353-86-2588714
rnliseasafety@eircom.net
www.crosshavenlifeboat.org

Crosshaven Lifeboat in 3Hr Service

The Volunteer Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat were paged this afternoon ,shortly before 1pm after a 40’ yacht sent out a Mayday Radio call after becoming entangled in nets approximately 3 miles south of Roches Point and near to the Cork Buoy. The Lifeboat was launched within 6 minutes and was helmed by RNLI Volunteer Con Crowley with Vincent Fleming & Denis Cronin. On Scene, the angling boat “Jon Boy” and the yacht “Papillion” were standing by the stricken vessel in case they were needed. The lifeboat crew cut away the nets holding the yacht to the seabed and took her in tow to Crosshaven arriving at 4pm, 3hrs after launch. The Yacht was on passage from Kinsale to Helvick Head with 2 persons on board.

Round the World yachtsman to give lecture at RCYC

Alex Whitworth in Crosshaven

Round the World Yachtsman, Alex Whitworth who is currently in Crosshaven in his Brolga 33' in which he has circumnavigated the world, sailed the North West passage and competed in every Sydney - Hobart since 1985, with a class win under his belt, - just to name a few, has quite a few tales to tell of his adventures.


Alex has kindly agreed to give a talk and slide show in aid of Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat at the Royal Cork Yacht Club next Thursday (23 July) at 9pm. Tickets are €5.00 and numbers are limited. Tickets at the door.

Crosshaven Crewman Stars in TV Series

Michael Meade & Kieran Coniry being filmed

Local Trawlerman and Volunteer RNLI crewman, Michael Meade from Crosshaven is one of a
number of Trawlermen around the Country who are being filmed as part of a TV documentary series to be called “Skippers”.

The series, being filmed by independent TV Company , Open Eye TV, follows the life of various
Skippers, their crews and problems as they try to make a living around the Coast.

Last Friday, The film crew arrived once again in Crosshaven. This time to highlight Michaels “other” involvement with the sea, that of being a Volunteer Crewman on the Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat. The crew filmed the station , a launch and an exercise involving Michael going overboard from the Lifeboat and being recovered. A second Rib, provided by SouthCoast Marine acted as a camera platform for the film crew.

The Series is expected to be aired on RTE in December or early January 2010

CROSSHAVEN LIFEBOAT STATION OPEN DAY ANNOUNCED

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Station will hold its Annual Station Open Day on Sunday 7th June between 1pm and 6pm at the Hugh Coveny Pier in Crosshaven. A great day of festivities is promised.

The Lifeboat Station and the Atlantic Class Lifeboat “Miss Betty” will be open to the public, with Volunteer lifeboat crew members on hand to show the public around. The Lifeboat and its volunteer Crews will also be holding on the water Search and Rescue exercises along with the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter from Waterford (subject to operational constraints).

The RNLI All weather Lifeboat from Ballycotton, the 14metre “Austin Lidbury” will also be in Crosshaven for the afternoon, along with the Crosshaven Coast Guard demonstration team showing the historical method of rescue using a working breeches bouy. The modern Irish Coast Guard vehicles and equipment will also be on view.

The Crosshaven RNLI Sea Safety Team will also be holding a FREE lifejacket Clinic on the day and invite the public to bring along their lifejackets for a free consultation on the condition of their Lifejackets and to chat about any aspect of Sea Safety.

Live Music will be on the pier, along with face painting and a childrens colouring competition. A “get your kit on” competition will also run in the afternoon to see how quickly
YOU can get the lifeboat mans protective gear on!!!

A great afternoons entertainment is promised!

Busy Easter Weekend for Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat and it’s volunteer Crews had a busy Easter weekend with callouts on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Easter Weekend.

The first call was to a sailor with a head injury. Volunteer Crew member Gary Heslin boarded the yacht and administered First Aid whilst the yacht was escorted to the Lifeboat Station and the casualty handed over to the Ambulance service.

The second and third incidents were thankfully, false alarms “with good intent”. One being a report of an overturned boat and the other a report of a person in the water in difficulties. These turned out to be Lobster pot markers and an inverted racing mark.