AN IRISH MAN has been rescued from a sinking yacht off the coastline at Cork harbour.
The Coast Guard first became aware that the vessel was in trouble just after 4pm when it detected the activation of a personal locator beacon in the area.
The rescue ship LÉ James Joyce subsequently located the yacht 16 miles southeast of Roche’s Point “in difficult sea conditions”, a Defence Forces spokesman said.
The rescue ship launched a rigid-hulled inflatable boat which reached the stricken vessel, noted it was taking on water, and rescued the man on board.
He was subsequently winched on board the Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 and taken to Cork University Hospital. The LÉ James Joyce, which had been on defence patrol, resumed its duties.
“On arrival at the scene Rescue 117 coordinated with the James Joyce,” a Coast Guard spokesman told TheJournal.ie.
It would appear that the man on board the yacht had no other communications facility other than the personal locator that was activated.
“We would like to compliment the navy for their assistance and for getting the man off the yacht,” the spokesman added.
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