The RNLI volunteer crew at Kinsale will feature in the brand new series of popular BBC Two programme Saving Lives at Sea next week.
Featuring footage captured on helmet cameras, the primetime documentary series lets viewers witness rescues through the eyes of the RNLI lifesavers while meeting the people behind the pagers.
The episode which will air on BBC2 at 8pm next Thursday includes Kinsale RNLI’s rescue of a solo yachtsman who three weeks after leaving the Caribbean Island Carriacou en route to the UK, got into difficulty when his 51ft ketch vessel lost engine power forcing the skipper to continue his 6,500km journey under sail.
Kinsale RNLI Helm Jonathan Connor who will feature in the upcoming episode, says:
‘In this call out, the outcome was testament to Pete, the yachtsman’s seamanship in making the 6,500km voyage single-handedly and remaining calm and focussed despite the many challenges he encountered in the course of his journey. He was very fit and able but was clearly exhausted after 52 days alone at sea so it was great that we could come to his aid using our skills and training to help him over the final hurdle and bring him safely to Kinsale.
‘We are delighted to see this rescue featuring on this year’s series of Saving Lives at Sea. Our lifesaving work would not be possible without donations from the public and we are delighted to be able to share a frontline view of the rescues they support with their kind generosity.’
In 2021, RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 1,078 times, coming to the aid of 1,485 people, 21 of whom were lives saved. Kinsale RNLI launched 29 times, bringing 48 people to safety, one of whom was a life saved.
