Four men rescued after fishing boat goes on fire off Old Head of Kinsale
The RNLI said that the men were “well shocked” after the dramatic rescue this morning. By Gráinne Ní Aodha Friday 14 May 2021, 9:32 AM 5 hours ago 9,781 Views 3 Comments
THE RNLI HAS rescued four fishermen who were left stranded after their fishing vessel caught fire 20 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat was called out this morning at 1.45am to help the 60-foot fishing vessel that went on fire while fishing.
Within minutes of the mayday alert being issued, the crew had to abandon the fishing vessel to their liferaft, as the fire had engulfed their boat.
14th May 2021
The RNLI lifeboat arriving back to Courtmacsherry at dawn this morning with the four rescued on board
The Courtmacsherry All-Weather Trent Class RNLI Lifeboat was called out this morning Friday at 1.45 am, to go to the immediate aid of a 60-foot fishing vessel that went on fire while fishing 20 miles south-east the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The Courtmacsherry All-Weather Lifeboat, Frederick Storey Cockburn under Coxswain Sean O Farrell and a crew of 6 were away quickly from their moorings, as a mayday alert was issued by the causality, that their boat had caught fire and they required immediate help. Once the mayday distress was relayed by the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Valentia, all available boats that were in the area at the time, raced to assist in the rescue.
Published: May 14, 2021, 10:12 The vessel was reported to have sunk shortly before 7am. Photo: Maersk Maker/Irish Coast Guard
Crew in good spirits after fire on fishing vessel
The crew of a vessel which caught fire in the early hours of the morning, 17 miles off Old Head of Kinsale, are said to be in good spirits.
Shortly before 2am this morning, 14 May, Valentia Coast Guard was alerted to a fire onboard the Irish fishing vessel Horizon.
A full scale search and rescue operation was mounted and Courtmacsherry All Weather Lifeboat and the Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter (R117) were tasked to the scene.
Courtmacsherry RNLI respond to call out from fishing vessel in distress off the Old Head of Kinsale
The RNLI say conditions at sea yesterday were very difficult with high winds and high sea swells.
The fishing vessel with five crew members on board had put out a distress signal when its hull was breached in difficult sea conditions and was taking in water.
The Coast Guard Rescue 117 Helicopter from Waterford was also launched and the operation was successful with the use of an emergency salvage pump.
Share Audio The families of the 10 people killed in Belfast in 1971 were left angered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson s apology
RNLI, Coast Guard help stricken vessel off Cork coast rte.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rte.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.