Lough Derg RNLI assist 2 people on a 27ft cruiser with engine failure

At 1.55pm today, Sunday September 6, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat 'Jean Spier' to go to the assistance of two people whose 27ft cruiser had suffered engine failure and was drifting off Mountshannon Harbour.

The lifeboat, already on the water on a training exercise, responded immediately with helm Dom Sharkey, and crew Barry Morkan, Steve Smyth and Tom Hayes on board.

The wind was northwesterly, Force 3 to 4, and visibility was good.

On arrival at the reported location, the cruiser was not in sight, so Valentia Coast Guard made contact with the casualty vessel who reported that they had drifted to the east of the Scilly Islands and close to rocks. The lifeboat made way to the new location and was alongside at 2.02pm.

The lifeboat found both people safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI volunteer was transferred to the casualty vessel where he quickly established that the cruiser had gearbox failure. He set up for a tow and the vessel, with her two passengers and an RNLI volunteer remaining on board, were taken to Mounshannon Harbour, where at 2.50pm, the vessel was safely tied alongside.

The RNLI lifeboat crew informed Valentia Coast Guard, and returned to Dromineer Bay to complete their exercise.

Christine O’Malley, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI praised the casualties for calling for assistance early, she said ‘if you find yourself in trouble, please don’t delay in calling for help as weather conditions can change unexpectedly on the lake. If you are in danger or see someone in need of assistance, dial 112 or 999 and ask for marine rescue’.

End

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/

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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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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.

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