Baltimore RNLI crew assist yacht grounded on rocks near Barlogue Bay
Thursday 17 September 2026
Baltimore RNLI came to the assistance of a 25-foot yacht with two people on board after it ran aground on rocks near Barlogue Bay, around four miles from Baltimore in West Cork, on Thursday afternoon.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 1.31pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard. The alarm had been raised by the yacht’s skipper after the vessel became grounded on rocks in the Barlogue area.
Baltimore RNLI arrived at the casualty vessel at 1.48pm, where Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and spoke with the skipper.
With the tide continuing to fall and the yacht’s keel wedged on the rocks, it was decided that a tow would be required to safely free the vessel.
The lifeboat crew passed a tow to the yacht and successfully pulled it clear of the rocks. Volunteer lifeboat crew member Maria Coleman was then transferred to the casualty vessel to provide further assistance as the yacht made its way towards Baltimore.
By 2.12pm, both vessels were underway and the lifeboat escorted the yacht to Baltimore Harbour, the nearest safe and suitable port.
They arrived in Baltimore at 3.20pm, where the volunteer lifeboat crew assisted the skipper and crew of the yacht in securing the vessel safely alongside the pier.
Once the skipper was satisfied that the yacht was secure, the lifeboat departed Baltimore Harbour and made the short journey back to the station, arriving at 3.42pm.
Six volunteer crew members took part in the call-out: Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Micheal Cottrell and crew members Jerry Smith, Eoin Ryan, Ollie O’Mahony and Maria Coleman.
Conditions at sea were relatively calm during the operation, with a north-westerly Force 5 to 6 wind and a sea swell of approximately one metre.
Speaking following the call-out, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Kate Callanan said the yacht’s skipper had acted correctly in seeking assistance at an early stage.
“The skipper did the right thing in calling for immediate assistance as the keel of the yacht was wedged on the rock and there was a danger of the yacht falling over as the tide continued to drop,” she said.
“Should you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
