11/11/2007
Second Lifeboat for Baltimore
Exciting developments are unfolding at Baltimore
Lifeboat Station. We expect to have a second lifeboat on station
from April 2008. The new boat will be an Atlantic 75 inshore
lifeboat (ILB) and will be slip launched at Baltimore Pier.
This fast rigid inflatable boat will complement the work of
our existing lifeboat the Tyne class Hilda Jarrett and be
capable of rapid response and independent operations in inshore
areas. The Atlantic 75 is 7.5 metres long with a top speed
of 35 knots. We anticipate welcoming some new crew to operate
the ILB with the emphasis on youth and fitness for this more
active role. Initially there will be a period of intensive
training before the boat finally goes into service. It is
expected that the ILB will be busy over the summer months
coping with the increasing volume of leisure craft incidents
in our area.
Baltimore Lifeboat and crew were at the centre
of a major news story in July when a drug smuggling operation
on the Mizen peninsula went badly wrong. Following a search
and rescue operation after a RIB capsized in heavy seas, the
Lifeboat came upon a large number of floating bales in Dunlough
Bay. The Lifeboat crew recovered about 50 bales of cocaine
from the sea and carried them back to Baltimore where they
were handed over to Customs Officials. The operation was carried
out in difficult sea conditions just metres from the cliffs
at Dunlough Bay. We were pleased to receive a commendation
in recognition of this service from the Chief Executive of
the RNLI, Andrew Fremantle. Letters of thanks were also received
from both the Revenue Commissioners and Customs Service.
Shouts often take us far from our base in
Baltimore but when winds blew up to storm force on the afternoon
of July 5th a steel sloop dragged her anchor and grounded
on the rocks at Bull Point, no more than 50 metres from the
Lifeboat station.
The lifeboat was launched immediately, and passed a tow to
the stricken vessel. Crew Member Micheal Cottrell transferred
to the yacht to assist its one-man crew. The lifeboat towed
the casualty off the shore while she slipped her anchor and
was then towed across Baltimore Harbour to shelter of the
visitor’s pontoon at Sherkin Island.
Some of the lifeboat crew had already been assembled in the
lifeboat station prior to the call giving a briefing to the
junior members of the Baltimore Sailing Club. The children
were learning about the RNLI and its operations while they
were unable to participate on their sailing courses due to
the unseasonably inclement weather.
Crew on the day were: Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal
Cottrell, Micheal Cottrell, Revlin Minihane, Eoin Ryan, Aidan
Bushe, John Joe O’Driscoll & Gerry Smith.
Skibbereen Credit Union have chosen Baltimore
Lifeboat as a prize winner in the ‘Community and Neighbourhood
Services’ category of the Muinter Skibbereen Credit
Union Community Awards 2007. A group made up of Lifeboat operations,
crew and fundraisers will attend the award dinner in Skibbereen
on November 17th where an overall winner will be announced.
Baltimore Lifeboat is proud to be included amongst the award
winners and we look forward to the ceremony where guest speaker
Sean Kelly (former GAA president) will make the presentations.
The RNLI seeks to do more than just provide
rescue services. In a recent initiative they have sought to
appoint Lifeboat Sea Safety Officers at the stations. The
Sea Safety Officer will liase with the Institution in organising
local presentations to promote Sea Safety and to offer support
and advice to boat owners and users thus helping to prevent
loss of life at sea. We are pleased to announce that Michael
Walsh has taken on the role at Baltimore Lifeboat station.
Michael has a long career on the crew of Baltimore lifeboat
as well as a wealth of experience in angling, sailing and
general boating. We wish him every success in the new position.
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