15/06/2004

Lifeboat responds to false alarm

The Baltimore Lifeboat Hilda Jarrett was launched this morning at 09:15 when a vessel was reported sinking off Crookhaven..The lifeboat took part in a search and rescue operation co-ordinated by Valentia coastguard and with the assistance of the Castletownbere Lifeboat and Goleen Coastguard. After a thorough search of the area, the operation was stood down as a false alarm. The lifeboat was returned to the station at 12:30pm by the volunteer crew of Ciaran Cotter, Aidan Bushe, Cathal Cottrell, Ronnie Carthy, Brian Ormond and Micheal Cottrell.

The rescue of the Esther Colleen on November 13th last by the Baltimore lifeboat was commended in a letter written by Mike Vlasto, RNLI operations Director, Poole, UK. He said, “The recovery at the boathouse was very difficult because of the sever gale conditions. Once again, the excellent seamanship of Coxswain Cotter and his crew came to the fore. Special mention must be made of Gwen Kiely and Mossie O’Halloran, for their skills and expertise on the slipway in the dangerous conditions that existed on that dark stormy evening”.

A sea search and rescue exercise will take place, weather pemitting, in Baltimore Harbour next Sunday June 20th at 3pm. The Baltimore lifeboat will be joined by the Shannon based coastguard helicopter, in what promises to make an exciting public spectacle. The exercise is part of the programme to celebrate 35 years of the Glenans sailing community.

The Baltimore Lifeboat Open Day will be held on Saturday June 26th this year. The Lifeboat station will be open to the public on the day and all are welcome to what is a very family friendly event. The station was established by the RNLI in 1919 when a masonry lifeboat house and slipway was erected at Bull Point at a cost of £2,765. It currently is home to the all weather Tyne class lifeboat the Hilda Jarrett.

The RNLI’s SEA (Safety Equipment Advisory) check is available on June 26th and also by appointment. SEA check provides free friendly and confidential on-board advice about safety equipment suitable for your boat and the type of use. It is not a pass or fail thing simply a list of discussion points and can be carried out anywhere at anytime. To book a SEA check call 1800 789589.

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