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Lough Derg RNLI assists two people on a 12ft fishing boat with engine failure.

Lifeboats News Release

At 9.30pm on Thursday evening, 26 August, and whilst afloat on exercise, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier to assist two people on a 12ft fishing boat with engine failure just off the Goat Road, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

The stern of the lifeboat as she launches

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg Lifeboat 'Jean Spier'

The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Doireann Kennedy, Tom Hayes and Ciara Lynch on board, immediately diverted from their exercise in Dromineer Bay to assist. It was now nightfall, and with a clear sky and no wind the lake was calm. The RNLI crew plotted a course to the Goat Road and monitored the fast moving vessels operating in the area, on RADAR. Valentia Coast Guard informed the lifeboat that they had requested the casualties to uses lights to signal their location as the lifeboat approached.

At 9.49pm as the lifeboat approached the Goat Road, the people on the casualty vessel indicated their position using torches. The casualty vessel was floating close to a rocky shore south of the Goat Road. With a RNLI volunteer crew taking soundings off the bow and another monitoring the electronic charts, the lifeboat made a cautious approach to the vessel. Once alongside the lifeboat found both people on board safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. They reported that their boat had glanced off a rock and suffered engine failure.

Given the hour and the drop in temperature, the helm decided that the safest option was to set up an alongside tow and take the vessel with her passengers to Dromineer, the safest close harbour. Without sufficient warm clothing, the two people took shelter in the forward cabin of their boat. At 11.18pm the vessel was safely tied alongside in Dromineer.

At 11.27pm lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 11.30pm.

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises water users to ‘study your charts and be prepared; anticipate a drop in temperature with nightfall’.

Ends

Notes to editors

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.

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