Lough Derg RNLI launch to assist two adults on a 30ft cruiser

At 2pm today, Monday July 16, Valentia Coast Guard requested lough Derg RNLI to launch to assist two adults on a 30ft cruiser in difficulty. The vessel was reported to be inside Youghal Bay, off Garrykennedy, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg. Winds were westerly, Force 4, gusting 5, with frequent heavy squalls. Visibility was good.

The lifeboat launched at 2.10pm today (Monday 16 July) with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Edel Knight on board. The lifeboat located the casualty vessel at 2.20pm and found both adults on board to be safe and unharmed, wearing their lifejackets. They had dropped anchor to prevent drift. One of RNLI volunteers, a marine engineer, found that the vessel had an electrical fault and prepared the cruiser for tow, he weighed anchor and the lifeboat took the cruiser under tow to Garrykennedy Harbour, where, at 3.10pm, it was safely tied alongside.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 4pm

Ger Egan, volunteer helm at Lough Derg RNLI, says the 'given the changeable conditions on the lake today, the skipper did the correct thing to drop anchor and immediately call for help’.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207, email: [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 0871254124 or 018900460 or 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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