Four rescued after fishing boat takes on water off Co Cork coast

Four individuals have been safely rescued after their fishing vessel encountered serious trouble, taking on water off the coast of County Cork, Ireland. The crew issued an urgent distress call when their boat began to flood approximately 5 kilometers south of Ballycotton Island.

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On arrival, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation and Deputy Coxswain Eolan Breathnach was able to bring The Austin Lidbury alongside the fishing vessel.

Responding swiftly to the emergency, the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury, and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 were dispatched by Valentia Coast Guard. Upon arrival, RNLI crew members assessed the situation and boarded the distressed vessel to deploy emergency salvage pumping equipment. The fishermen also utilized their own bilge pumps and an emergency life raft to manage the rising water levels.

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Volunteer crew member Mike Kenneally then boarded the fishing boat as part of a controlled, slow-speed transfer, carrying RNLI emergency salvage pumping equipment.

The fishing boat, aided by the RNLI's pumps, managed to bring the water to a manageable level and was escorted back to Ballycotton harbour under its own power. During the operation, one of the fishing crew members sustained an injury. Emergency services were alerted, and an ambulance met the vessel upon its return to the harbor. The injured fisherman was transferred ashore for medical attention. RNLI officials praised the quick actions of the crew, which prevented the critical incident from worsening.

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They contacted the local emergency services, and an ambulance was dispatched to meet the vessel on its return.