Baltimore RNLI were called out to assist a lone sailor whose yacht had capsized 70 miles off the coast of Baltimore yesterday evening.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 5.50pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a lone sailor who had been taking part in a race when his yacht capsized, approximately 70 miles off the coast of Baltimore.
The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at around 9pm, where the sailor was on the upturned hull of the catamaran in which he had been racing in single handedly. Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 was also on scene.
There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, while conditions at sea during the call were challenging with a north to north westerly force 6-7 wind and a 3 to 4 metre sea swell.
Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said:
‘This is a great example of a joint-agency rescue working together under difficult conditions to save a life. We wish the sailor a speedy recovery and thank our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard for all assistance provided during this callout. Please remember, if you get into difficulty at sea or on the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
