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The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat “Frederick Storey Cockburn” gets St Patrick’s Day” call out to broken down fishing vessel. Photo: RNLI
The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat “Frederick Storey Cockburn” was called out at 1.30pm on Friday 17 March, “St Patrick’s Day”, to go to the aid of a 21-metre fishing vessel that sought assistance 50 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.
The Lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of five proceeded immediately to the area of distress in rough conditions at sea today. The Lifeboat reached the causality at 4.30pm and rendered assistance to the stricken vessel. Thankfully for the lifeboat crew, a short time later the fishing vessel and crew were able to get underway again and the lifeboat crew stood by for a period of time until the all clear was given by the casualty and the lifeboat was able to return to base in Courtmacsherry, arriving back to the village pontoon at 8.00pm.
“It was ironic that a callout happened today as the Station was preparing for the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in the Village where the Lifeboat always heads up the sea and land parade, says the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat rep. “As the Trent Class Lifeboat went on callout today, in its last three weeks of active service in Courtmacsherry, our new Shannon Class Lifeboat “Val Adnams” lead the parade under Coxswain Peter Noonan and crew. After 27 years of great service in Courtmacsherry, the “Frederick Story Cockburn” refuelled this evening and is back on its mooring tonight in readiness of any further service in its final weeks in the village.”
The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat voluntary Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dwyer said, “It was a great to be of assistance today on our special National Holiday to go to the aid of the fishing vessel in distress and thanked all the crew who gave up of their festive time today to help others who were in danger on the high seas.”
The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Crew involved in the seven-hour callout were Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Stuart Russell and crewmembers Ken Cashman, Kevin Young, Dean Hennessy and Austin McKenna.
