Lough Ree RNLI assist four people and their dog aboard grounded 40ft motor cruis
Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat crew were alerted by the Coast Guard yesterday morning (Monday 8 May) when four people and their dog on board a 40ft motor cruiser ran aground on the Long Shoal near the eastern shore of Lough Ree.
The alarm was raised just after 10.30 am. Shore crew Tony Diskin, Matt Harte, Billy Henshaw and Denis Buckley responded quickly and had Lough Ree Lifeboat The Eric Rowse launched and underway in less than fifteen minutes, with first responders Denis Begley, Stan Bradbury and Emmet Devereaux on board. A short time later, the lifeboat crew was alongside the casualty vessel, checking that all on board were uninjured and wearing life jackets.
The weather at the time was dry and sunny, with a force 3 easterly breeze and a slight swell on the lake. After checking that the vessel was not taking on water, a tow line was established and the vessel was safely towed to deeper navigable water. After checking that all equipment on board was functioning properly, the vessel proceeded under its own power north towards Lanesboro.
The lifeboat crew returned to the Lifeboat Station at 11.24 am, where the shore crew was on hand to recover the lifeboat and prepare it for further service. Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Tony McCarth, notified the Coast Guard that The Eric Rowse was ready for service at 11.45 am.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew Denis Begley, said ‘The Long Shoal is an area of rocks, marked with navigation markers at each end, in an otherwise deep, navigable area of the main lake. We would always advise lake users to consult their charts regularly and to be aware of their position on the lake.’
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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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