Lough Derg RNLI assist a person on a 23ft cruiser with engine failure

This afternoon, Tuesday July 21, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of a person on a 23ft cruiser with engine failure in Slevoir Bay, the most northerly end of Lough Derg. At 12.44pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, and crew members Steve Smyth and Chris Parker on board. The wind was south-westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good.

The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel at 1.06pm. The RNLI volunteers found the person on board to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejacket. The skipper had dropped anchor to prevent drift on to the rocky shore.

An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and established that its starter motor had failed. At 1.22pm, with an lifeboat crew remaining on board, volunteers set up for an alongside tow, they raised the anchor ready to take the cruiser with its skipper to Terryglass, the safest closest harbour. At 1.50pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at Terryglass public harbour.

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘It’s good to see so many boats enjoying Lough Derg, do remember to study your charts, stay within the navigation channels and know the ‘rules of the road’ when passing other vessels’.

Ends

Notes to editors

· Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station

· A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.