2 August 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The volunteer crew of Youghal lifeboat were requested to launch on Saturday last (30 July) at 3.10pm to reports of a dive boat with engine failure south of Ram Head with two people onboard.
With an updated position received from the Coast Guard they located the vessel with the two men safely onboard and wearing their lifejackets.
The lifeboat with helm Jason Ansbro and crew members Erik Brooks, Kevin Daly and Liam Keogh took the boat under tow to Knockadoon pier.While en route the crew received a call from the Youghal lifeboat station to say there was a dog swimming out to sea at Pilmore beach.
They secured the vessel at Knockadoon pier and proceeded to Pilmore beach in search of the dog.
While nearing the location the lifeboat crew established communication with the Youghal Coast Guard unit who were on the scene at the beach. The lifeboat crew located the dog and recovered the dog onboard the lifeboat. After some reassurance the animal seemed happy and unhurt by his adventure, the crew returned the dog to the beach into the hands of the Youghal Coast Guard.
The dog and its owners were walking on Pilmore beach exercising an injury from the previous week and he got free from his lead and made a dash for the water.
Conditions at the time was dry with a light north westerly breeze and calm sea.
Speaking after the event, lifeboat helm Jason Ansbro said ‘When walking dogs on the beach people should be vigilant as they can get into difficulty very quickly and to make sure and not go into the water after them if they do’.
