11/08/2026
📟 Call out 📟
Fenit RNLI comes to the aid of one person and a dog after 6m yacht takes on water off the Kerry coast
Fenit RNLI volunteers launched their all-weather lifeboat on Thursday evening, the 23rd July following reports of a 6m sailing yacht taking on water north of the Blasket Islands. One person and a dog were onboard.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115 from Shannon and Valentia RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat were also tasked.
The lifeboat crew were paged at 8.09pm and launched the lifeboat minutes later under Coxswain Kevin Moriarty and with mechanic Adrian Mahony, navigator Denise Lynch and crew members Caroline Corkery, Ciaran Forde, Terry Sheehy and Shane Mulcair onboard.
As the lifeboat made its way towards Brandon, the crew received word that Fenit Sea Safari had reached the yacht and had taken it under tow, allowing both the helicopter and Valentia RNLI to be stood down.
Fenit RNLI reached the vessel near Sauce Creek at 9pm and assessed the situation. Due to the water ingress, a decision was made that the safest course of action was for the lifeboat to establish a tow and bring it back to the nearest safe harbour at Fenit Marina where all arrives at 12.20am. A crew member transferred onto the yacht to monitor the water ingress throughout the passage. During the tow, the yacht was brought alongside the lifeboat, enabling the crew to use the salvage pump to remove the water and keep the vessel safe during the return journey.
Following the call out, Fergus Kelliher, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘We would like to wish the sailor and their dog well. We would also like to commend our volunteers, the 13 crew members who responded to the pager and our invaluable shore crew. Thanks to our colleagues at our flanking station at Valentia and to the crew of Rescue 115. Thanks to the crew of the local vessel for their prompt assistance in reaching the sailor initially and for helping to ensure a safe outcome.’
https://www.idonate.ie/cause/fenitrnli
RNLI
Irish Coast Guard
Water Safety Ireland
📸 Photo Credit Sarah Daly