This evening the crew of Baltimore Inshore RNLI Lifeboat ‘Bessie’ carried out an unusual rescue. A sheep belonging to a local farmer had been trapped on a ledge close to sea level, several attempts over the two previous days had failed to reach the sheep. After consultation with station personnel it was decided that once there was a break in the bad weather that the lifeboat would make an attempt to reach the stranded sheep. At 7.30pm Baltimore’s Inshore Lifeboat launched under helm Youen Jacob and crewed by Ronan Callanan and Tadhg Collins, and after two days on the ledge the sheep was brought safely to shore.

Tomorrow Sunday 21st at 11am Baltimore lifeboat will rendevous with the Cape Clear ferry Dún an óir in Baltimore harbour to undertake a scenario based exercise. With the ferries heading into their busy season, training like this is valuable to both the lifeboat crew and ferry crew. It will help them develope their knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to deal with the events that everyone hopes will never happen. Thanks to the crew, managment and staff of the Cape Clear ferry for their time and help.

Ciaran Mc Hugh from rescue 115.

‘Spiderman’ was Ciaran Mc Hugh from the Shannon based Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. He was lowered from the new Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to the deck of our new Tamar class lifeboat, during a night training exercise. The S-92 will take over duties from the much older Sikorsky based at Shannon in a couple of months. Best of Luck to all of the Rescue 115 crew with their new flying machine.

Alan Massey took part in a joint nightiime exercise with the Irish Coastguard Helicopter last night. RNLI photographer Nigel Millard was on board to record the action.

The Maersk Tanker Clarisa, en route from Milford Haven to New York, diverted course to rendezvous with the all weather lifeboat Alan Massey, South of Cape Clear Island early this evening. A 20 year old male crewman was in urgent need of medical assistance following an accident on board. Coxwain Kieran Cotter manouevred the Tamar class lifeboat alongside the 29,000 tonne oil tanker while it was still moving to transfer the injured seaman to safety. The lifeboat which is capable of speeds of up to 25 knots returned to Baltimore Pier where medical attention was offered to the seaman.

On board the lifeboat were Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell, Pat Collins, Ger Sheehy, Diarmuid Collins, John O’Flynn and Brendan Cottrell.