Courtmacsherry RNLI Launches to Assist Diver off West Cork

Sunday 19 July 2026

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams launched shortly after 11.00am on Saturday morning following reports of a diver in difficulty approximately 12 miles south of the Seven Heads, West Cork.

Courtmacsherry RNLI volunteer crew pictured aboard the all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams following Saturday morning's callout to assist a diver off the West Cork coast. Photo: RNLI/Vincent O'Donovan

The volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) in Valentia after an emergency developed during a dive on the wreck of the Lusitania.

The lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Ken Cashman with a crew of five, assembled immediately and, following a briefing on the incident, proceeded at best speed to the casualty's location.

Also tasked to the incident was Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon. As the diver required urgent medical care, it was decided that the casualty should be airlifted directly from the water by the helicopter and transferred as quickly as possible to the specialist hyperbaric treatment facility in Galway.

Following the successful evacuation of the casualty by the Coast Guard helicopter, the Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat was stood down and returned to its berth in Courtmacsherry Harbour at approximately 12.15pm.

The volunteer crew on the callout were Coxswain Ken Cashman and crew members Dave Philips, Mark John Gannon, Simon Locke, Taylor Murphy and Ian McCarthy.

Many of the station's volunteer crew and operations team had been attending the station's annual fundraising coffee morning, held in the garden of The Lifeboat Inn, Courtmacsherry, when their pagers sounded. In glorious sunshine, the large crowd gathered for the event watched as the lifeboat departed the harbour to answer the emergency call, providing a poignant reminder of the RNLI's lifesaving mission.

Courtmacsherry RNLI Launch Authority Vincent O'Donovan praised the swift response of the volunteer crew.

He said: "It was certainly an eventful morning both at sea and ashore. Our volunteer crew responded immediately to the call for help, demonstrating once again their commitment and professionalism. We are also extremely grateful to the Courtmacsherry RNLI Fundraising Committee, to David and Martin of The Lifeboat Inn, and to the large crowd who attended our annual coffee morning. Their tremendous support helped make the fundraiser a great success while our crew were able to respond to those in need at sea."