24/07/2007

Busy July for lifeboat

The last few weeks have been a busy period for the crew of the Baltimore Lifeboat. On the 10th July, Coxwain Kieran Cotter and his wife Brigid, were given the honour of representing the Irish Division of the RNLI at a garden party in Buckingham Place, hosted by Queen Elizabeth. The relief Lifeboat Owen & Anne Aisher officiated at the Glandore Classic Boat Festival Parade of Sail in Glandore on 15th July and and the Baltimore Lifeboat Hilda Jarret, paid a visit to the Cape Clear Lifeboat Day on 22nd July.

In between these engagements, the lifeboat was called out on two occasions. On 20th July the lifeboat was called to assist a RIB adrift at the mouth of South Harbour in Cape Clear. The Naomh Ciaran was already giving assistance as the lifeboat arrived, so the lifeboat stood by while the RIB was towed to safety.

Just two days later, there was another call for a 26ft fishing vessel adrift with three persons on board near the Mizen. While the lifeboat was on its way, other vessels in the vicinity came forward with assistance. A passing RIB, which is usually based in Courtmacsherry, took the fishing vessel in tow at 11:30am. The tow was then passed to another fishing vessel, Ard Eireann, at 12:00, which towed the stricken vessel to the safety of Schull harbour. The relief lifeboat Owen & Anne Aisher was involved in both of these shouts.

Matthew Williams, Inshore Lifeboat Helm and relief mechanic from Mumbles in Wales, was a welcome visitor to Baltimore last week, when he took on the role of relief mechanic at the station. He had a very busy time during his stay, but will no doubt return again. Meanwhile another crew of volunteers brought the Hilda Jarrett back from survey in Eyemouth on the East Coast of Scotland. Hilda Jarrett has been on survey since January of this year and she is very welcome home.

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