Patrol boat saved single hand sailor

One yachtsman has been rescued by the "LÉ James Joyce" from a yacht that was taking on water. The 26-year-old Irish man issued a mayday alert after his navigation equipment failed and his vessel began to take on water and sink. The operation took place 16 nautical miles south east of Roches Point in Cork Harbour in difficult sea conditions in the evening of Feb 9, 2017. The "LÉ James Joyce", while on a Maritime Security and Defence Patrol, responded to a request from Mine Head Coast Guard Station at 4.20 p.m. Once on scene, she located a yacht taking on water, launched a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and rescued an Irish National from the yacht. The single hand sailor was taken on-board the RHIB and was subsequently winched to Coast Guard Rescue 117. The man was then airlifted to Cork Airport by a rescue helicopter from the Waterford Coast Guard and taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was treated for mild hypothermia. The operation was complete at 6.30 p.m. and the "LÉ James Joyce" resumed its patrol.