Volunteer crew members from the Courtmacsherry RNLI launched twice within hours on Sunday afternoon after separate reports of swimmers getting into difficulty off the West Cork coast during blustery offshore conditions.

Courtmacsherry RNLI launched to assist three surfers who found themselves in difficulty off Inchydoney Beach in Clonakilty Bay.

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was called out at 3.40am this morning, Friday (1 August) to go to the immediate aid of two sailors on a 40ft yacht that got into difficulties and was taking on water 21 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.