False Alarm Flare Alert

The RNLI Baltimore inshore lifeboat, Bessie, was called to the assistance of two kayakers at Caseys Cove, Church Strand in Baltimore, West Cork today. One of the two was reported in the water when the alert was raised at 17:48.

The inshore lifeboat, Bessie, an Atlantic 75 RIB was launched from Baltiimore pier with the assistance of team of stewards to clear traffic from the launch area. A bespoke launching tractor towed the lifeboat from it compound with Coxswain Youen Jacob and his crew Ronan Callanan and Paul O’Driscoll onboard. In the meantime lifeboat crewman Jason Pavry made his way to Caseys Cove to offer assistance from the shore.

As it happens two unrelated incidents had actually initiated the call. A rocket flare that had been found in Church Strand had been set off, meanwhile two teenagers who had been donuting from a speedboat had decided to take a shortcut home by swimming to shore. An onlooker who saw the boys in the water and the flare thinking that it was a distress alert contacted the Coastguard immediately.

Lifeboat Operations Manager said, ‘Abandoned rockets and flares can be very dangerous and should be reported immediately to the authorities so that they can be disposed of safely and without causing undue distress to the general public.’

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