Lough Ree RNLI launch to a person seeking refuge from Storm Diana

At 10.35 this morning (Wednesday, 28 November 2018), Lough Ree RNLI volunteers were contacted by a gentleman onboard a boat, who had sought refuge the previous evening, due to failing light at the floating jetty, off the shore of St John’s Wood on the Roscommon side of Lough Ree.

Due to worsening conditions overnight and this morning he requested the lifeboat's assistance. The inshore lifeboat, The Eric Rowse was launched at 10.48am and the crew made their way to the scene. Conditions on the lake were extremely rough with Storm Diana in full strength. Winds were storm force 8 from the south with 2m waves, making for a very bumpy trip up the lake.

Upon arrival on scene, the crew found the casualty to be uninjured, wearing his lifejacket and wet weather clothing and in good form. Having ensured the casualty vessel was well secured, the gentleman was brought onto The Eric Rowse and brought back to the Station in Coosan Point.

Speaking after the call out Tom Bradbury, Lough Ree RNLI Helm said: ‘Conditions can change on the lake very quickly, especially at this time of year. This gentleman did exactly as we advise, when light started failing last night he sought a suitable mooring for the night and when he awoke to worsening conditions this morning he requested assistance. We would always advise people using the lake to check the weather forecast before heading out on the water and to always wear a lifejacket’.

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Sarah Bradbury Lough Ree RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 1210658 email: [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 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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