Ballycotton RNLI assists in multi-agency rescue off Waterford coast following shark-bite report
- Pat Nolan
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Ballycotton RNLI was involved in a multi-agency rescue operation off the Waterford coast yesterday, Tuesday 11 August, after a report that a person had suffered a shark bite while on board a pleasure craft.
The call came at 4.16pm when Dublin Coast Guard requested Ballycotton RNLI to launch to assist a 5-metre pleasure craft with five people on board, approximately four miles off Ram Head, Ardmore.
The response involved Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117, with the three agencies working together to provide assistance to the casualty.
Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather Trent-class lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury, launched at 4.30pm. With calm sea conditions and good visibility, the lifeboat made the journey to the casualty vessel, arriving at approximately 5.10pm.
On arrival, the crew found Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 already at the scene. Both lifeboats remained on standby as Rescue 117 winched the casualty from the pleasure craft for emergency evacuation to Cork University Hospital.
The remaining four people on board did not require assistance and the pleasure craft subsequently made its way safely back to Dungarvan.
With the casualty transferred for medical treatment, both lifeboats were stood down.
Ballycotton RNLI returned to harbour at approximately 6.15pm, where The Austin Lidbury was refuelled before the volunteer crew continued with their scheduled weekly training session.
Coxswain on duty Eolan Walsh said the incident demonstrated the importance of close cooperation between the emergency services.
“This was a well-coordinated multi-agency response, with Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 working together to ensure that the casualty received urgent medical assistance as quickly and safely as possible,” he said.
“Our crew were pleased to be able to support the operation and remain on scene while the casualty was transferred for emergency treatment and we wish the casualty a full recovery.”
He said the incident was also a reminder to those heading offshore that safety should always be a priority.
“Incidents such as this are a reminder that conditions at sea can change quickly and that anyone heading offshore should make safety a priority.
“Ensure your vessel is suitable for the conditions, wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, carry a reliable means of communication, and make sure someone ashore knows your plans.
“If you get into difficulty at sea, call for help early by contacting the Coast Guard at 999 or 112 can make all the difference.”
The Ballycotton RNLI volunteer crew involved in the rescue were Eolan Walsh (Coxswain), Alan Cott (Mechanic), Conor Philpott (Navigator), Eolan Breathnach, Áine Flynn, Stephen Sloane and Ronan Lynch.
