Courtmacsherry lifeboat called to rescue for third time in 12 hours

The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Crew have been called out twice to rescue stricken trawlers, and another time to help a dog and its owner in difficulties on a cliff, in the space of 12 hours.

Last night a 60 foot fishing vessel two miles off the Seven Heads coastline, which got into difficulties with five crew on board,

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As that vessel was safely berthed at Courtmacsherry Pier last night at 8.45pm, an emergency call was received from Valentia Coastguard, that a large dog had fallen off the high cliffs at File Na Mho, near Broadstrand in Courtmacsherry Bay.

They also said that the owner, who had tried to climb down the cliff to retrieve it, had failed and was in danger himself.

The owner alerted the rescue services through a 999 call and immediately the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat responded.

At 8.50pm, the lifeboat arrived at the base of the cliffs and using its powerful engines and spotlights, located the stricken dog on the rocky water's edge.

Using its inflatable punt, two members of the Lifeboat crew in special RNLI Lifeboat wetsuits suceeded in securing the large Rhodesian Ridgeback and brought it to the safety of the lifeboat, while its searchlights guided its owner to safety at the cliff top.

Twenty minutes later the owner and the large dog were both reunited in safety at the Lifeboat Station.

The latest incident this afternoon involved a 55 foot fishing vessel that encountered difficulties just south of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat press officer Vincent O'Donovan said conditions were poor.

He said: "The bleepers went off to go to the aid of a 55ft fishing vessel that had got into difficulties about two miles off the Old Head of Kinsale.

"The lifeboat was underway within minutes and reached the casualty just after 4.25pm and secured a tow-line on board the stricken vessel.

"The conditions at sea this evening are poor, about Force 5 with windy conditions."