VIDEO: Two men rescued from sinking boat off Cork coast
Two men were rescued at sea this morning by Castletownbere's RNLI.
Castletownbere’s RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched early this morning to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel which was reported sinking eleven miles south west of Dursey Island on the Beara peninsula.
The naval vessel LE Orla and the Coastguard’s Rescue 115 helicopter were also tasked.
The lifeboat was on scene at 5:50am and found two fisherman in a liferaft.
The men, both in their 40s, were taken aboard the lifeboat and were reported to be safe and well.
The lifeboat is due to arrive back to Castletownbere at approximately 8:00am this morning.
Speaking following the call out, Paul Stevens, Castletownbere RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: "Fortunately the weather conditions were favourable early this morning and we were able to quickly transfer the two fishermen into the safety of the lifeboat. Both are safe and well.
"They did the right thing this morning and raised the alarm when they got into difficulty.
‘This morning’s call out came as the RNLI prepared to launch its Respect the Water campaign today. The sea is wonderful but it is also powerful and unpredictable and people need to treat it with respect."
Respect the Water aims to highlight the risk of accidental drowning when people are near the coastline by encouraging safer behaviour both in and around the water.
The campaign is primarily aimed at males aged between 16 and 39 but the same advice is relevant for anyone visiting the coast.
Coastal fatality figures released by the RNLI show that an average of 23 people die through accidental drowning around the coast of the Republic of Ireland each year.
The charity is asking people to visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater where they will find information on coastal hazards, how to keep themselves safe, and what to do should they someone else end up in trouble in the water. On social media search #RepectTheWater.
