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