05/09/2004

Lifeboat rescue six crew from open boat

Last Saturday night was a busy one in Baltimore. The crew of the Baltimore Lifeboat station were looking forward to the Wedding celebrations of a fellow crew-member, but as luck would have it, just as the dancing was about to begin the Lifeboat was tasked by Valentia Coastguard to go the assistance of a boat lost in fog near the Fastnet Lighthouse. The crew was hastily assembled and “Hilda Jarrett” an all-weather lifeboat put to sea in calm and misty conditions.

The 17 foot Boston Whaler was spotted on radar as the lifeboat approached the Fastnet Lighthouse. The open boat has been on a passage from Cape Clear to Crookhaven when they had got lost in fog and raised the alarm by mobile phone. The six crew on board were unharmed and the vessel was in no immediate danger. The Lifeboat accompanied the vessel to Baltimore Harbour and soon after the crew returned to the festivities around midnight.

Less than 6 hours later the Lifeboat was called upon again to put to sea. This time the “Hilda Jarrett” proceeded to Sherkin Island to carry out a medical evacuation. When the lifeboat arrived they were informed that the severity of the head injury was not sufficient to warrant hospital attention and were stood down.

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