Lucky escape for crew of 10 after yacht runs aground during race in Cork harbour
Boat Picture: Rescue A Crosshaven Coast Crew Guard Inspect The
Ten sailors had a lucky escape when their yacht ran aground during a race in Cork Harbour today.
The alarm was raised just after midday when the J109 yacht, Jelly Baby, which was racing in the October league, ran aground on rocks at Weaver’s Point.
It’s understood that just after the boat rounded a mark, it broached, sending one of its crew overboard.
As the crew on the yacht recovered the casualty on board, the boat was blown aground.
The Crosshaven lifeboat, the Crosshaven Coast Guard RIB and the Port of Cork Pilot launch were alerted and all raced to the scene.
As the RNLI crew was en route, they were diverted to help another person overboard on the eastern side of the channel near White Bay.
As the Coast Guard rib continued towards the grounded yacht, word came through that eight of the crew onboard the stricken yacht had scrambled ashore and were safe.
But two had entered the water. One was picked up by a race competitor and the other by a Royal Cork Yacht Club rib. Both were taken back to the yacht club.
The race was abandoned and there were no injuries.
The yacht was refloated just after 6pm and was towed to Crosshaven boatyard for repairs.