| 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]
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.
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
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)
| ON | Op. No. | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 649 | – | Duke of Connaught 1920– Shamrock | 1919–1950 | ||
| 854 | – | Sarah Tilson | 1950–1978 | ||
| 955 | – | The Robert | 1978–1984 | ||
| 1015 | 48-12 | Charles Henry | 1984–1987 | 48ft 6in Oakley | |
| 949 | – | Ethel Mary | 1987–1988 | 52ft Barnett | |
| Hilda Jarrett | |||||
| 1302 | 16-22 | Alan Massey | 2012– | MMSI 235069214[8] [9] | |
| Op. No. | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-708 | Bessie | 2008–2012 | ||
| B-753 | City of Bradford V | 2012–2013 | ||
| B-760 | Alice and Charles | 2013–2016 | ||
| B-780 | Patricia Jennings | 2016–2018 | ||
| B-910 | Rita Daphne Smyth | 2018– | MMSI 232016610[10] [11] | |