Ballycotton RNLI rescues four crew from fishing boat taking on water south of Ballycotton Island
- Pat Nolan
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Saturday 7 August 2026
Ballycotton RNLI rescued four crew members from a fishing vessel that began taking on water approximately three miles south of Ballycotton Island.
The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard at 4.06pm as part of a multi-agency rescue operation involving Ballycotton Coast Guard and Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115.
The alarm was raised after the crew of the 14-metre fishing vessel reported that the boat was taking on water.
Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched at 4.16pm. In favourable conditions, with a slight south-westerly Force 1–2 wind and excellent visibility, the lifeboat made good time to the casualty vessel.
On arrival, the RNLI crew assessed the situation before Deputy Coxswain Eolan Breathnach skilfully brought the lifeboat alongside the fishing vessel. Volunteer crew member Mike Kenneally boarded the casualty as part of a controlled slow-speed transfer, bringing RNLI emergency salvage pumping equipment with him.
Rescue 115 also arrived on scene and remained on standby to assist if required.
The fishing crew had already deployed their emergency life raft. After assessing the flooding below deck, the RNLI crew member quickly set up the salvage pump. Working alongside the vessel's own bilge pumps, the equipment reduced the water ingress to a manageable level.
As the vessel was close to Ballycotton Harbour, it was decided to escort it back under its own power.
During the transfer of the salvage pump, one member of the fishing crew slipped and sustained an injury. Ballycotton Coast Guard, who were standing by at Ballycotton Pier, coordinated with the National Ambulance Service, and an ambulance was arranged to meet the vessel on its return.
The casualty vessel and the lifeboat arrived safely back in Ballycotton Harbour at 5.25pm. The fishing vessel was secured alongside, and the injured fisherman was transferred ashore for medical assessment.
Andy Browne, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Ballycotton RNLI, said: "We are grateful to the number of crew who made themselves available and acted quickly to prevent this critical incident from deteriorating further."
Coxswain Eolan Breathnach was joined on the callout by volunteer crew members Eolan Walsh (Mechanic), Adrian Erangey, Stephen Sloane and Mike Kenneally.
