Four Kerry men, with pride bruised, but safe and well, were towed into Baltimore harbour in West Cork yesterday evening. They had come through a difficult passage from Athens on board a 65 ft timber-built pleasure cruiser which they intend to use as a tourist attraction on the west coast of Ireland. The African-built pleasure craft, the Manos, was purchased to be used as a tourist attraction off the Kerry coast and further afield.
The intention is to use it as a pleasure craft and, because it is made of African pine, it is particularly suited to the task, the skipper, Mr Gerard Leahy, a chartered accountant from Listowel, said last night.
Mr Leahy was accompanied on board by Mr Gerry Murphy and Mr P. V. O'Keeffe, both of Listowel, and Mr Dan Nolan. All are ESB employees.
The vessel was purchased last January and, after various travails, was making its way from Greece to Ireland when it ran into some of the worst weather experienced in recent years in the Atlantic, Mr Leahy said. The enormous seas diminished the fuel supply on board, he explained. The journey was not helped by the fact that the sails and rigging were also torn by storms, seven in all, which the vessel and crew travelled through while trying to make their way to the Co Kerry coastline.
As conditions worsened on board and with options running out, the vessel issued a request for help yesterday when it was about 60 miles off the south-west coast.
Earlier, when fuel began to run out, a passing tanker came to the crew's aid and supplied them with some fuel. However, it later became clear that the tanker fuel transferred to the smaller vessel was not suited to its engines.
In the end, this led to engine failure and, given the state of the rigging and the fact that the boat was becalmed, the request for help was issued. It was answered by the Baltimore lifeboat.
Last night, with the Manos tied up in Baltimore Harbour, the crew was enjoying a celebratory pint.