28/10/2004

Baltimore Lifeboat in Coast Review

The recent stormy weather experienced on all coasts reminds one of the comfort in knowing that Lifeboats across Ireland are on constant alert. To achieve this, there is an army of volunteers and fund-raisers and a professional organisation that approaches its work in a very serious manner. The RNLI has a programme of operations that is constantly updated to respond to need. A Coast Review is undertaken every 5 years when senior Operations Managers and Directors from both Ireland and the UK visit each station. The Coast Review took place on October 10th in Baltimore this year and revealed the following statistics of service for the period 1999 – 2003; There were 103 rescues, comprising 32 services to merchant and fishing craft, 37 to pleasure craft, 17 to people and 17 to other types of casualty. Almost half of these services were carried out during darkness. 3 lives were saved, 28 people were landed and 89 people were brought in. On a less positive not it was revealed that there were 14 hoax calls during the period.

At the review the coxswain of the lifeboat Kieran Cotter pointed out the increasing incidence of leisure craft in the area and the changing demography of users. There are now over 280 moorings in Baltimore Harbour compared to 140 five years ago. At the peak of the Summer there could be up to 500 lesiure craft in the water. It is much more likely now that a craft in difficulty would have children on board and in some cases entire families.

The review was very well received by all parties and Michael Vlasto, Operations Director commented in a letter subsequently “The delegation was impressed with the overall condition of ON1138 Hilda Jarrett, which reflected much credit on all concerned”.

This year Baltimore Lifeboat will be a co-beneficiary of the proceeds of the annual Skibbereen Charity Ball. We are very grateful for this support as the lifeboat relies entirely on voluntary donations and legacies to fund its activities. It is a costly exercise to provide this service, for example, to place an all weather lifeboat at a station costs in excess of €2million, each launch costs in excess of €6,000, and to fully kit out a member of crew costs in more than €200.

As recently as Saturday 23rd of October the Baltimore lifeboat was called to the assistance of a canoeist who was separated from his canoe in Barleycove. While the lifeboat was en route the canoeist made his way ashore where he was met by members of the Goleen Coastguard unit. The Lifeboat then retrieved the canoe from the water before returning to base.

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