RNLI Baltimore Lifeboat assists fishing boat off Cape Clear

Baltimore Lifeboat was called into action early this New Year to assist a fishing vessel in distress West of Cape Clear Island. The Tyne class Hilda Jarrett was tasked at 1203 on January 2nd and launched minutes later when a 24ft inshore fishing vessel became fouled in her fishing gear in heavy seas 2 miles off the shore.

With South Easterly winds just short of gale force and a heavy swell of 5-6 meters, conditions at sea were challenging. The 2 fishermen were in real danger of their small craft being swamped. The fishing vessel managed to free herself from the pot ropes and was escorted by the Lifeboat to the safety of North Harbour in Cape Clear, her home port.

The Lifeboat returned to the boathouse in Baltimore Harbour at 1340 to be made ready for the next service.

Exactly one year ago to the day on2nd January 2007, the Baltimore Lifeboat had been called to carry out a medical evacuation from Cape Clear island.

Crewing the boat for this first ‘shout’ of 2008 were Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Pat Collins and crew of Aiden Bushe, Michael and Brendan Cottrell, Youen Jacob, Ciaran Cotter and Brian McSweeney. Cathal Cottrell, Ronan Callanan, Ger Sheehy and Kate Callanan assisted on the slip with the launch and recovery.

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