Four people rescued after fishing boat takes on water

Four people have been rescued by the RNLI after their fishing vessel began taking on water off the coast of Co Cork.

The crew of the fishing vessel made an urgent call for help when the vessel began taking on water around 5km south of Ballycotton Island.

Ballycotton RNLI’s Austin Lidbury lifeboat and Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 were dispatched by Valentia Coast Guard around 4pm to assist the fishing vessel.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “On arrival, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation and Deputy Coxswain Eolan Breathnach was able to bring The Austin Lidbury alongside the fishing vessel.

“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 crew of the fishing vessel deployed an emergency life raft and an RNLI salvage pumped helped to bring the water levels inside the boat back to a manageable level, alongside the ship’s own bilge pumps.

The boat was escorted back to Ballycotton harbour under its own power. Rescue 115 was also at the scene and remained on standby to assist if required.

“During the transfer of the salvage pump, one of the fishing crew slipped and sustained an injury.

“The incident was relayed to Ballycotton Coastguard, who were standing by at Ballycotton Pier,” an RNLI statement said.

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

“The casualty vessel and RNLI lifeboat returned to Ballycotton Harbour at 5.25pm.

“The fishing boat was secured alongside, and the injured fisherman was transferred ashore for medical attention.”

Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Andy Brown said praised the crew members “who made themselves available and acted quickly to prevent this critical incident from deteriorating further”.