Ten rescued off Cork coast after yacht mast breaks during race

Ten people taking part in the Fastnet Race off Co Cork had to be rescued by the RNLI on Wednesday morning after the mast of their yacht broke.

The alarm was raised at 3.20am when the group located 20km off Galley Head got in to difficulty.

The 10 people on board were not injured in the incident and the yacht arrived back to Courtmacsherry Harbour Pontoon at around 8.30am.

Vincent O’Donovan, spokesman for Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat, said he was relieved that the operation went smoothly.

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“It was an early morning one and anything can go wrong. The Fastnet Race is one of those big races every two years and there are many boats taking part in that. The 40 foot yacht got in to difficulty just after 3am.

“We have had four call outs over the last seven days. This time of year there is a higher incidents of call outs. Anything can happen with racing yachts. We are always looking at the boats in the Fastnet.”

Meanwhile, Baltimore RNLI brought two people safely ashore after their RIB (rigid inflatable boat) lost power on Tuesday afternoon, east of Fastnet Rock lighthouse in West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew, who were already on exercise in the area of the Fastnet Rock lighthouse, were alerted by a call from a vessel at 3.15pm that another vessel with two people onboard had lost all power.

The callout came as the crew onboard the RIB was watching yachts rounding the Fastnet Rock and Lighthouse during the famous race.

The lifeboat was 3km from the casualty vessel, a 7.5 metre RIB. Conditions at the time were good with a north westerly force 2-3 wind and 1 metre sea swell.

Once on scene the lifeboat crew established a tow and brought the vessel back to Baltimore Harbour, securing her to the pontoon before returning to the lifeboat station at 4.20pm.

Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said the lifeboat crew were on scene very quickly after the call was raised.

“Baltimore RNLI has a strong connection to the Fastnet Race having been involved in a number of dramatic rescues over the years. The lifeboat crew regularly exercise during the famous race to be nearby in case they receive a call for help.”