Baltimore Lifeboat Station Explained

Baltimore Lifeboat Station
Map Type:Ireland
Pushpin Relief:1
Location:Baltimore Lifeboat Station,
Address:Bull Point
Location City:Baltimore, County Cork
Location Country:Ireland
Coordinates:51.4878°N -9.3719°W
Building Type:RNLI Lifeboat Station
Opened Date:1919
Owner: Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website:https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/baltimore-lifeboat-station

Baltimore Lifeboat Station is located at Bull Point, near Baltimore, County Cork, on the south-west coast of Ireland.

A lifeboat station was established here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1919.[1]

The station currently operates a All-weather lifeboat, 16-22 Alan Massey (ON 1302), on station since 2012, and a Inshore lifeboat, Rita Daphne Smyth (B-910), on station since 2018.[2]

History

The station was established in 1919 and a masonry lifeboat house and slipway were constructed at Bull Point. This was used for all of the station's lifeboats until 2012, being adapted and upgraded over the years for newer lifeboats.

In August 1979, during the 1979 Fastnet race, the lifeboat rescued two yachts, Regardless and Marionette. [3]

In October 1985, the lifeboat rescued the Irish Leader of the Opposition, Charles Haughey, when his yacht sank at the Mizen Head.[4]

In August 2011, the Baltimore lifeboat 'Hilda Jarret' was involved in the rescue of the yacht Rambler 100 that capsized south of the Fastnet Rock when taking part in the Fastnet Race. 21 crew, including its skipper, George David, were recovered either from the upturned hull, or from the water.[5]

With the arrival of the new All-weather lifeboat in 2012, the decision was taken not to rebuild the boathouse to take the larger boat. Instead a mooring pen was dredged alongside the boathouse, and the lifeboat is kept afloat. The boathouse has been reconfigured to provide enhanced crew facilities.

Notable rescues

Baltimore lifeboat was called to the fishing vessel Japonica, 13 miles west of Fastnet Rock, at 5pm on the 30 October 1991. After battling storm Force 10 conditions for over 2 hours, the lifeboat arrived on scene, and after a tow was finally established, the boat was brought to the shelter of Bantry Bay just after 6am.

Putting into Castletownbere for repairs, the lifeboat was once again tasked to the 60ft Sailing boat Atlantic Adventurer south of Fastnet Rock. Setting out at 1.25pm, into Force 9 conditions, the lifeboat arrived on scene at 4pm, and after setting up a tow, arrived back to Baltimore at 6:50pm. Coxswain Kieran Cotter was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal

Station honours

The following are awards made to the crew of Baltimore Lifeboat Station[6] [7]

The Venerable Archdeacon J R H Becher, Honorary Secretary at Baltimore - 1917

Lieut. A L Sanderson RNR - 1917

John Daly - 1917

Tim Daly - 1917

Michael Cadogan - 1917

Tim Cadogan - 1917

John Hart - 1918

Timothy Murphy - 1918

Jeremiah McCarthy - 1918

Kieran Cotter, Coxswain - 1992

Kieran Cotter, Coxswain - 1992

Vincent O’Driscoll, Assistant Mechanic

Ronald Carthy, crew member - 1992

Michael O’Regan, crew member - 1992

Aidan Bushe, crew member - 1992

Cairán Sweeney, crew member - 1992

Coxswain and crew - 1979 (Fastnet Race)

Baltimore lifeboats

All-weather lifeboats

ONOp. No.NameIn serviceClassComments
649Duke of Connaught
1920– Shamrock
1919–1950
854Sarah Tilson1950–1978
955The Robert1978–1984
101548-12Charles Henry1984–198748ft 6in Oakley
949Ethel Mary1987–198852ft Barnett
Hilda Jarrett
130216-22Alan Massey 2012–MMSI 235069214[8]
[9]

Inshore lifeboats

Op. No.NameIn serviceClassComments
B-708Bessie2008–2012
B-753City of Bradford V2012–2013
B-760Alice and Charles2013–2016
B-780Patricia Jennings2016–2018
B-910Rita Daphne Smyth2018–MMSI 232016610[10]
[11]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baltimore Lifeboat Station History . 28 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110928220800/http://www.baltimorelifeboat.ie/history.html . 28 September 2011 . dead .
  2. Book: Leonard . Richie . Denton . Tony . Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. 2024 . Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society . 4–132.
  3. The Lifeboat . The Journal of the RNLI . Winter 1979 . 46 . 470 . 225 . 11 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Baltimore lifeboat, heritage & history, Baltimore Holiday and Travel Information - Ireland . 28 August 2011.
  5. Web site: Yacht Rambler 100 Capsizes In Irish Sea During Fastnet Race With 21 People Rescued . 16 August 2011 . . 28 August 2011.
  6. Web site: Baltimore's station history . RNLI . 11 January 2024.
  7. Book: Cox . Barry . Lifeboat Gallantry . 1998 . Spink & Son Ltd . 0 907605 89 3.
  8. Web site: RNLI LIFEBOAT 16 22 . www.marinetraffic.com . 2021-08-11 .
  9. Web site: Goodbye Hilda, hello to Alan: Baltimore welcomes its new lifeboat . Irish Times . 2012-02-16 .
  10. Web site: RNLI LIFEBOAT B 910 . www.marinetraffic.com . 2021-08-11 .
  11. News: Keogh . Jackie . Baltimore RNLI gets major boost from arrival of new lifeboat after generous bequest from UK . 27 June 2024 . The Southern Star . 6 October 2018.