Man clinging to mast THE HONORARY SECRETARY of YoUghal lifeboat station received a telephone call from the Gardai at 1745 on the evening of Wednesday August 1, 1984.

They had been informed by a passer-by that a commercial fishing vessel which had been on passage from Knockadoon to Youghal was in difficulty and had disappeared in Youghal Bay. The lifeboat crew were assembled and at 1800 Youghal's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, Marjory Turner, manned by Helmsman Liam Coveney and Crew Members Patrick O'Mahony and Michael Cashel, launched on service.

Out in the bay there was a moderate to fresh south-westerly breeze, force 4 to 5, visibility was fair and there was a six to seven foot swell. The lifeboat began to search for the missing boat and after only five minutes, located her. A man was clinging to the mast of theotherwise submerged vessel; he could not swim, wore no buoyancy aid and was in a state of exhaustion. As the lifeboat crew could not persuade him to take hold of rescue lines, Helmsman Coveney had to manoeuvre close to the sunken fishing boat, at one point striking her with the starboard side of the lifeboat's hull, as he came in to take the man aboard. Having confirmed that this had been the only man aboard the fishing vessel, the helmsman returned to station where the survivor was landed at 1815 and examined by the station honorary medical adviser. The lifeboat was rehoused, ready again for service at 1915..