Lough Derg RNLI launch in early hours following calls for help coming from lake
At 5.06am today (Thursday 25 August) Lough Derg RNLI was requested to launch their lifeboat following a report to Nenagh Gardaí of calls for help heard coming in off the lake, that had woke sailors camping at Lough Derg Yacht Club.
As volunteer crew assembled, they were informed by Gardaí, who were at the lifeboat station, that a cruiser was seen to leave the public harbour close to the time the calls for help were heard.
The lifeboat launched at 5.18am with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Owen Cavanagh on board. Winds were light, south easterly. Visibility was poor with fog and just before dawn.
The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team based at Shannon, were on standby should they be required.
The lifeboat set a route south, in the direction from which the calls were heard, and using a search light quickly located a cruiser at anchor close to the navigation channel, south of the Corrakeen Islands, outside Dromineer Bay.
The lifeboat crew roused the passengers on board and made them check that everyone was accounted for on board. The passengers said they may have been making some noise as they left the harbour earlier, and would be continuing their passage south at daybreak.
The lifeboat reported their findings to Valentia Coast Guard and, advised that the cruiser’s companion boat was moored in Dromineer Harbour, would check that they had no difficulties.
Once it was established neither vessel was missing a passenger, the lifeboat returned to station.
Brian Hanly, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, reminded all boat users to: 'Respect the water, enjoy the lake, but ensure one person remains fully in command of your boat at all times.’
Ends
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For more information please contact Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207, email lnrhooker@gmail.com or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547 or email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 0871254124 or 018900460 or email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk
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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 over 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 142,700 lives.
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