Baltimore RNLI Crew Respond to Yacht Emergency and Island Medevac
- Pat Nolan
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Tuesday 5 May 2026
Volunteers with the RNLI in Baltimore had a busy Tuesday (5 May), launching twice to assist a stricken yacht and later to carry out a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island.
The first callout came at 8.40am, when the crew were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a 45-foot yacht that had run into difficulty at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour. The vessel, with one person onboard, had suffered engine failure and raised the alarm.
The all-weather lifeboat reached the casualty vessel just seven minutes later, at 8.47am. Coxswain Aidan Bushe assessed the situation and determined that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht to shore. Crew members Emma Geary and Kieran O’Driscoll boarded the vessel to help secure the towline.
The lifeboat then towed the yacht safely to the pier in Baltimore, arriving at 9.05am. Once the skipper confirmed the vessel was secure, the crew returned to station by 9.15am. Conditions at the time were calm, with a light northerly wind and no sea swell.
Five volunteers were involved in the morning rescue: Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Jerry Smith, and crew members Emma Geary, Pat Collins and Kieran O’Driscoll.
Later that afternoon, at 4.12pm, the lifeboat was launched again following another request from the Irish Coast Guard, this time to carry out a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island.
Arriving at North Harbour at 4.33pm, the crew conducted a quick assessment before transferring the casualty onto the lifeboat via stretcher. The vessel departed at 4.50pm and returned to Baltimore at 5.10pm, where the patient was handed over to HSE ambulance personnel.
Seven volunteers took part in the second callout: Coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Cathal Cottrell, and crew members Jerry Smith, Emma Geary, Brian McSweeney, Pat Collins and Kieran O’Driscoll. Additional support at the station was provided by Simon Duggan, Micheal Cottrell and Ollie O’Mahony.
Conditions during the afternoon rescue remained calm, with a light south-westerly wind and no sea swell.
Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘It was a busy day for Baltimore RNLI with two calls in the one day and both times our volunteer crews were quick to respond. Should you get into difficulty at sea or on an island, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
