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Rescuers on the pier in Ballydavid back in 1977.
A NEW RTÉ Documentary on One on RTÉ Radio 1 this Saturday will recall the dramatic events of an incident that took place in west Kerry back in October 1977.
‘Skyhope’ takes listeners back to a time when an incident involving a small fishing boat became a saga of fun, turning to tragedy.
The tale begins in Baile na nGall (Ballydavid) Harbour, when an empty fishing boat broke its moorings and was carried away by the wind, out into the Atlantic, only to be picked up and taken in tow by the cargo ship Skyhope.
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This chance encounter set in motion a series of events that would captivate the local area and lead to tragic encounters.
Skyhope took the fishing-boat into Foynes, Limerick and when the owners of the boat went to retrieve it, they suggested that the captain and his crew might ‘call in’ to their village when he was next passing.
They didn’t think he’d take them up on their offer – but he did. And within a few days, the huge Skyhope appeared at the pier in Baile na nGall. The ship was 200ft. long – the pier was 150ft. The ship bashed off the pier and damaged it.
Baile na nGall now had an instant tourist attraction – a giant ship stuck towering over the village with an international crew.
Visitors came from all over to see the ship and drink with the crew. The pubs did a roaring trade and the party continued, every night, back on Skyhope.
Until, one night, a distress call came from the Skyhope: a man had been killed on board.
Rescuers boarded Skyhope and found blood everywhere. An Egyptian crewman had become violent and struck one of his shipmates, a Chilean, in the head, with a meat cleaver.
While rescuers removed the Chilean and Egyptian from Skyhope, other crewmen, still drunk and arguing, jumped into the rescue boat and caused it to capsize, throwing everyone into the water.
This documentary captures the harrowing moments as the survivors drifted toward the cliffs, with no hope of assistance due to the stormy weather. An English fisherman and his crew emerged as the unlikely heroes who saved the day, retrieving the survivors.
Airing at 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday, October 21, this new episode of RTÉ Documentary on One, provides a remarkable insight into a little-known chapter in Irish maritime history.
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I covered the whole story from alpha to omega in my daily local news bulletins at the time. I was even there when all the donkeys came to Baile na nGall and when the taxis came from Limerick.
Malcolm, David and Billy, I think, got medals for bravery.