As Figures Show Cork Lifeboat Crews Rescued 99 People Last Year.
The RNLI is launching its Mayday Mile fundraiser as the charity’s rescue figures for 2020 show that volunteer lifeboat crews at its eight lifeboat stations in Cork launched 88 times and brought 99 people to safety.
The RNLI operates lifeboat stations in Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Union Hall, Baltimore, Youghal, Ballycotton, and Castletownbere in Cork.
Nationally, over half (53%) of the charity’s 945 lifeboat launches took place in the months of June, July and August. Volunteer lifeboat crews are getting ready for what they expect will be a busy summer with people continuing to holiday at home. Last year, with the country dealing with restrictions put in place to fight the pandemic, lifeboat crews were still busy, bringing 1,145 people to safety.
The RNLI’s Mayday campaign begins on Saturday 1 May and runs throughout the month. Lifesavers are calling on supporters to join the Mayday Mile and cover the distance for the charity in any way they choose to raise vital funds to help lifeboat crews continue their work. Sign up at RNLI.org/SupportMayday.
Cork man Peter Connon, who last Easter Monday was rescued by the RNLI, along with four young members of his family, when their two sailing crafts capsized in a squall off the coast, is urging people to sign up online to do the RNLI’s Mayday Mile which will raise funds for the lifeboat charity.
Commenting on why he is supporting Mayday and doing his own Mayday Mile walk, Peter spoke about the day he was rescued, ‘I’ve lived in Youghal all my life and I’m an experienced sailor, as are my family. That day we took every precaution, but the weather turned, and we quickly found ourselves in serious trouble."
"We didn’t hesitate to raise the alarm and our equipment and knowledge kept us safe until help arrived. I can’t describe the feeling of joy when you see those big orange lifeboats come into view. I’m a big man but we were scooped into that lifeboat like we weighed nothing. They were so professional and reassured us that we had done everything right."
"My family are so grateful to Youghal and Ballycotton RNLI and to the paramedics and Coast Guard crews who attended to us that day."
Crosshaven RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Helm James Fegan will be doing his own Mayday challenge for the charity. Every day, for one week during May, James will do a mile on his paddleboard in his full RNLI crew kit. He said, ‘I am very conscious that it has been a tough year for everyone and yet as a charity we still need to ask for people’s support to keep saving lives at sea. I’m going to do my bit too and I hope people will get onboard and have some fun doing it. I have been involved in a lot of rescues and I’ve seen the relief on people’s faces when you can bring a loved one home. What we do is only possible with the support of the communities that we operate in and we are very grateful for that support. Jonathan Bermingham and Susanne Deane, Crosshaven RNLI Crew members will also be Kayaking And Cycling respectively.
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
*Summer refers to the period of 1st June – 31st August 2020