Lough Ree RNLI assist six people aboard two grounded cruisers in one call out
Lough Ree RNLI was alerted by the Irish Coast Guard to two people on board a grounded 25ft motor cruiser this morning (Bank Holiday Monday 5 June).
The alarm was raised at 10.20am when two people on board a 25ft motor cruiser ran hard aground on rocks south of Bantry Bay near the eastern shore of the lake.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony McCarth, assisted by shore crew Denis Buckley and Eamon Flynn, had the inshore lifeboat The Eric Rowse launched and underway in less than 15 minutes, with crew members Kieron Sloyan, Emmet Devereaux and Kieran Scullion onboard.
Conditions at the time were calm and dry with spells of sunshine and a light force 2 breeze.
The lifeboat crew were on scene near the casualty vessel at 11.01am. Due to the numerous rocks in the vicinity of the cruiser, crew member Emmet Devereaux left the lifeboat and waded to the cruiser to check that all onboard were uninjured and that the boat was not taking on water.
After walking the area around the boat, a deeper channel was located to safely tow the vessel to navigable water. The vessel was undamaged and the two men aboard were able to continue their journey north to Lanesborough under their own power.
As they departed the scene, the crew noticed a 34ft motor cruiser aground a short distance away. They approached the vessel and offered assistance to the two men and two women on board. The cruiser in this case was not very hard aground and, after performing the usual checks, the vessel was towed to safe water and the four aboard continued their journey north to Lanesborough.
Speaking after the lifeboat returned, Tony McCarth, Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'We were happy to be able to assist both vessels today and to help these six people continue to enjoy their weekend on Lough Ree. Navigation markers on the lake are located so that each one can be seen from the one before. If you cannot see the next marker, slow down, check your location on your navigation chart and proceed with caution in its approximate direction until you see it.’
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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]
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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 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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