SEA RESCUE
Major operation launched as RNLI rescue four people stranded on yacht with ‘mechanical and electrical difficulties’
The RNLI issued a water safety warning to all parents
A MAJOR operation was launched in Co Cork this morning after a 32ft yacht with four people on board lost control in the sea.
The Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat 'Annette Hutton' set off after receiving an alert at 6.15am following a request for assistance from the West Cork-based yacht, which lost its ability to manoeuvre.
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The yacht lost its ability to manoeuvre three miles south of the Fastnet Rock, near Cape Clear Island in West Cork.
The lifeboat crew made contact with the yacht and arrived on the scene at around 7.15am.
The weather on-scene was reported to be "very calm".
All four members of the yacht were reported to be safe and well.
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It was decided that the yacht needed to be towed as it posed a potential navigational hazard to other vessels.
The vessel was towed to Long Island in Roaring Water Bay and passed over the tow to the Schull Coast Guard rib which brought the yacht safely into Schull Harbour.
The lifeboat left the scene at 8.10am, returned to Castletownbere and was refuelled for the next service again by 9.55am.
Brendan O'Discoll, The Duty Launching Authority, praised the members of the yacht for seeking assistance as soon as possible as it was located in a busy shipping lane.
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It would have posed a serious navigational threat to other vessels if it wasn't reported as early as possible.
Meanwhile, the RNLI has issued an urgent warning for Irish parents for school holidays over water safety.
Urgent warning for Irish parents as RNLI issues major water safety advice ahead of school holidays
The RNLI has said that it is expecting "an incredibly busy" summer as the school holidays are in force.
They have issued advice to the public in the event someone was to unexpectedly fall into a body of water and get into trouble.
Latest figures from Water Safety Ireland show that over half of people who drowned in the last five years had not intended to get in the water.
With warmer weather hopefully around the corner and the school holidays setting in, many people will be heading to Irish beaches and lakes over the coming months.
'FLOAT TO LIVE'
The RNLI is now advising people to remember how to react if they find themselves in danger.
The 'FLOAT to Live' campaign advises people to:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged.
- Relax and try to control your breathing.
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat.
- It is okay if your legs sink, we all float differently, the RNLI said.
Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Water Safety Lead said: "We are approaching the summer holidays which we expect to be incredibly busy at the coast and on inland waters.
"We want everyone to enjoy being around the water, but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do if they unexpectedly enter the water and become overwhelmed.
"It is important that anyone visiting open water understands the risks which can be present.
"If you get into trouble in the water, FLOAT to Live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help to or swim to safety if you can."
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