Seven callouts over five days for Lough Ree RNLI

The first callout for the lifeboat crew came from the Coast Guard shortly after two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon (16 August) to reports of a 35-foot steel cruiser aground, with six people onboard, between Athlone Lock and Clonmacnoise. Late Thursday afternoon, the crew was again called by the Coast Guard to assist a man aboard a 25-foot sailing yacht, aground near Barley Harbour on Lough Ree. In both cases, the recovery was straightforward and no injury to crew or damage to vessels was incurred.

On Saturday (20 August), the lifeboat crew received three calls to assist vessels in difficulty. The weather conditions on Saturday were very wet, with strong winds. The first call came shortly before noon, to assist 3 people on board a 33-foot motor cruiser which had run aground at Bantry Bay on Lough Ree.

Not long after 3pm, the lifeboat was again called to assist two people who had rowed a lake boat from Gailey Bay campsite to Quaker Island, but were then unable to row the lake boat off the island due to the strong onshore breeze. This was a particularly difficult recovery for the lifeboat crew. After trying several methods to tow the lake boat from the shore, a crewmember was put ashore in the difficult conditions to push the lake boat off the shore while the lifeboat at anchor, pulled the tow line. Eventually, the lake boat and its crew were recovered and the two casualties were brought on board the lifeboat, where they were given life jackets and wrapped in a blanket for warmth.

The lifeboat departed the scene with the lake boat on tow shortly after 5pm. The lifeboat crew and their casualties proceeded towards Portrunny, the nearest harbour, where the lake boat and its crew were delivered safely ashore.

Also on Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard received a call for assistance from a motor cruiser with gear box failure south of Athlone Lock. As the lifeboat was underway to Quaker Island at the time, Athlone Sub-Aqua Club, whose base is in Athlone Town, were requested to assist the motor cruiser south of the Lock.

On Sunday evening (21 August) at 7:30pm, the lifeboat was again requested by the Coast Guard, this time to assist a boat aground on Lough Ree. The weather was significantly calmer than on Saturday and the recovery went smoothly, with no damage to the grounded vessel and no injury to its crew.

Commenting on Sunday evening, Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Damien Delaney said, ‘Our volunteer lifeboat crew have had a very busy few days. We would urge everyone using Lough Ree to ensure they are familiar with the area and to take heed of any weather warnings issued by Met Eireann.  Grounded vessels are not unusual but with any callout there are a number of factors that should be considered such as the wind direction, the weather conditions and the ability of crew and vessel to navigate these. It’s always a good idea for visitors to seek local advice before embarking on a journey on the lake, and to notify someone ashore of the intended departure time, destination and expected return time. Make sure you have a suitable means of calling for help and that you have the proper clothing and a lifejacket. You never know when you will need to call for help.’


Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Sarah Groarke Lough Ree RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 086 8075253 email: [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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