Lough Derg RNLI launch to assist a lone adult on 37ft cruiser
At 4pm, Monday 22 April, Lough Derg RNLI were requested to go to the assistance of a person on a 37ft cruiser aground north of the mouth of the Scarriff River.
The lifeboat launched with helm Ger Egan and crew Eleanor Hooker, Jimmy Gundegjerde Kjell and Joe O’Donoghue on board. Winds were southernly, force 2/3 with good visibility.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.45pm. Winds had pushed the cruiser close to shore and raised it high out of the water. The lifeboat approached the cruiser with caution whilst the volunteer crew took soundings and used the electronic navigation charts on board to assess depths.
An RNLI crew member transferred across the to the casualty vessel and established that the skipper was safe and unharmed. They checked the boat for ingress of water and also emptied the water tanks on board to lighten the vessel.
After a thorough assessment of depths around the cruiser, the RNLI volunteers set up for a tow. The cruiser was taken off the rocks and into deeper water, where the crew member on board the casualty vessel again checked the boat to ensure there was no damage to the hull. The skipper checked the engine, steering and rudder which were found to be in working order. The lifeboat released the tow and with a crew member still on board, accompanied the cruiser up the Scarriff River. Satisfied that all was in good working order and that it was able to continue its passage without the need for further assistance, the RNLI volunteer transferred back to the lifeboat.
Helm Ger Egan advises to ‘make sure you have up to date charts on board and always check that your surroundings correspond to the navigation route on the chart or GPS’
The lifeboat returned to the station and was ready for service again at 6.24pm.
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Elizabeth Cavanagh, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0879966855 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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