Lough Derg RNLI assist 4 people after their boat ran aground above Victoria Lock

Winds were west-southwesterly, Force 4/5, gusting 5/6, rain showers, otherwise visibility very good.

At 1pm, the lifeboat launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Owen Cavanagh and Joe O’Donoghue on board. From the boathouse, Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI made contact with Tom McGarry, the Bridge Controller at Portumna to ask him to open the bridge to permit the lifeboat up the river. Mr. Kennedy and fellow Deputy Launching Authority, Tom Hayes called Lock keepers, Stephen McGarry and Ken O’Carroll, at Victoria Lock at Meelick, to let them know that the lifeboat would be at the Lock in an hour. Valentia Coast Guard gave the lifeboat volunteers co-ordinates for the casualty vessel and advised that water levels at the casualty’s location were very low.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 2.11pm. As the casualty vessel was in shallow water, the lifeboat approached with caution, taking frequent soundings and visual assessment of water depth. The people on board were safe and unharmed. The skipper had dropped anchor as there was a strong flow, combined with wind, at the location. The vessel had sustained damage to its propellers and drive, but was not holed.

With an RNLI crew member on board, the lifeboat took the casualty vessel under tow and made way back to the main navigation channel. The lifeboat towed the vessel to Shamrock Marina at Banagher, the closest safe harbour and where the vessel had a mooring. At 4pm it was safely tied alongside.

The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 5.15pm.

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg Lifeboat Station, advises boat owners to ‘carry lifejackets on board, sufficient for every passenger’. He also advises boat users to ‘carry up to date charts and to familiarise yourselves with the buoyage on the Shannon’.

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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