A rapid response by the RNLI resulted in 30 people surviving without injury when the Dutch tall ship Astrid hit rocks and sank on Ireland’s Cork coast on Wednesday.
The 42m training vessel got into trouble when its engine failed approaching Kinsale Harbour and strong winds blew it onto an inaccessible and rocky coast. Onboard were 23 teenage sailors on a training voyage and seven adults.
Two search and rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene while lifeboats from Kinsale, Crosshaven, Courtmacsherry and Ballycotton were also involved in the rescue. The Courtmacsharry RNLI boat rescued 18 of the crew while the Kinsale boat towed a liferaft containing the other 12 crew away from the rocks, to eventually be picked up by the yacht Spirit of Oysterhaven. Astrid was one of 50 vessels participating in the Gathering voyage from Oysterhaven to Kinsale.
Irish Coast Guard spokesman Declan Geoghegan praised the RNLI lifeboats and other rescue services that went to the rescue in very difficult conditions. He said: "The operation was quite difficult, not alone because the area was busy with traffic, but also there was a 4m swell and a blowing southwesterly force four to five.So it was a delicate operation to get all the casualties off the stricken vessel and I'd like to commend all those involved."
