Lough Derg RNLI assist a lone skipper in severe weather conditions

At 4:20pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteers Steve Smyth, Owen Cavanagh and James Corballis on board. The wind was south-southeast, strong breeze Force 6 to moderate gale Force 7 with gusts. Visibility was fair to poor with frequent heavy hail squalls.

At 4:35pm as the lifeboat travelled north, volunteers could see the casualty vessel on a known and dangerous rocky shoal inside Navigation marker F. The RNLI navigator plotted a safe course for the helm to steer in his approach the casualty vessel.

As the area is strewn with marked shoals, the helm asked crew to prepare to anchor and veer back to the casualty. The lifeboat veered back safely to within four metres of the casualty vessel. The skipper was safe and unharmed and wearing a lifejacket. His vessel had lost propulsion, and with the strong winds had been pushed on to the rocks.

With a rocky shoal astern of the lifeboat and the casualty vessel, it was clear that the lifeboat could get no closer. Communicating with the skipper, a crewmember heaved a lifeboat line to the casualty who secured it to a cleat on their stern, with the other end secured round the Sampson post on the lifeboat. This line acted as a guide rope for the casualty, and he was asked to hold it and not let go once his transfer to the lifeboat began. Crew then heaved a second line which the casualty secured around his waist.

When the RNLI volunteer gave the signal, the casualty and RNLI crewmember both entered the shallow water, whereupon the casualty was able to walk the short distance to the lifeboat, using the guide rope, and be assisted over the sponson. Once the casualty was seated and secure, crew cut the guide line and moved to the bow to recover the anchor warp and anchor, and navigate into safer waters. The casualty was taken across the lake to Coolbawn Quay on the Tipperary shore where he had left his car.

At 5:43pm, the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 6:10pm.

Commenting on the callout, Peter Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘I commend the skilled and successful rescue by the RNLI volunteers under such testing conditions. Thankfully the casualty was wearing his lifejacket and had called for assistance as soon as he found himself in difficulty. We would remind boat users to ensure you check the weather forecast before embarking on your journey. If you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

Notes to editors

• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.