RNLI Baltimore Lifeboat assists yacht in Schull Harbour

The Baltimore lifeboat was tasked at 20:29 on 17th August to assist yacht Sichiona that had fouled another boat and its mooring whilst trying to pick up its own mooring at twilight in Schull Harbour.

The Hilda Jarret was launched in squally weather. There was a force 6 SSW wind, a 2 metre swell running and poor visibility. The lifeboat arrived on-scene at 21:30 having to manouver amongst numerous moored vessels to reach the casualty.

The Coxswain placed two members with wireless intercom aboard the casualty to assist the vessels crew. It was found that the casualty had fallen down over another crafts mooring which had became lodged between the keel and rudder post putting her stern to wind. It was decided deploy the casualty’s anchor from her bow and rig a tow on the bow of the fouled yacht. Once established, with one ALB crewmember aboard, the line from the fouled yacht to its mooring was cut which allowed the casualty to drift free and come up on the previously deployed anchor.

The Coxswain returned the second yacht to it’s mooring and recovered the crewmember and then proceeded to down the casualty to establish a tow. The other crewmember had rigged a bridle and once undertow was able to recover the casualties anchor. The Coxswain proceeded to back out from among the surrounding moored vessels until sufficient sea room was gained which allowed the casualty to be brought along side. The casualty was towed to the northern side of Schull pier where she was moored safely along side. The Lifeboat was then cleared by Valentia Coast Guard to return to base.

Crew: Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell, Don O’Donovan, Paul O’Driscoll, John O’Flynn and Jerry Smith

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