Local boat owner praised for helping RNLI crew with West Cork rescue 

The RNLI Lifeboat assisting the bigger speedboat off Blind Strand.

A local boat owner has been praised for playing a "vital" part in a West Cork rescue of two speedboats by the Courtmacsherry RNLI.

Rory Conlon responded to a mayday request from one of two speedboats that had got into difficulty along the Seven Heads coastline in West Cork on Sunday evening.

The speedboat had alerted rescue crews they were in danger of sinking and requested help.

Mr Conlon, who had been in his rigid inflatable boat (Rib) nearby at the time, attended the scene and first helped to pull the first boat away from the rocky shore.

He then helped with the bailout of water from the second speedboat.

A crew from the Courtmacsherry RNLI arrived at the scene at 8.22pm following a call from the Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.

The Courtmacsherry RNLI crew that was involved in Sunday night's rescue. 

Once the smaller speedboat had been stabilised, the crew decided to secure the bigger speedboat, which had developed mechanical difficulties, in a towing position and put a member of the lifeboat crew on to the smaller craft.

The crews were tested by a “difficult offshore wind” which was blowing off Blind Strand.

Both casualties were taken safely back to Courtmacsherry pier before 9.40pm.

"It was good that all ended well this evening on what could have been very dangerous incidents for all concerned," said Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat operations manager Brian O'Dwyer.

Mr O’Dwyer credited the fast response of Mr Conlon in ensuring all casualties were returned to shore safely. His quick response "to the call for help on the VHF radio mayday call was vital".

The lifeboat crew returned to their mooring just after 10pm. The crew on board consisted of coxswain Kevin Young, mechanic Tadgh McCarthy, and crewmembers Simon Locke, Denis Murphy, Dean Hennessey and Taylor Murphy.

Sunday night marked the first callout for crewmember Taylor Murphy, who has just finished completing his intensive recruitment training over the past 18 months.

The occasion was made even more special as he was accompanied by his father Denis and family member Dean.