Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist 2 people on a 32ft cruiser aground

On Wednesday evening June 16, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist two people on a 32ft cruiser aground close to the entrance to Terryglass Harbour, at the northern end of Lough Derg.

At 6.48pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Steve Smyth, Joe O’Donoghue and Tom Hayes on board. The winds were westerly, Force 3/4. Visibility was good.

At 7.08pm, the lifeboat arrived on scene and could see the cruiser aground inside the navigation marker by Terryglass Harbour. After assessing the location and depths, the lifeboat made a careful approach to the casualty vessel, all the time taking soundings of the depths. Once alongside, the RNLI volunteers found both passengers on board to safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

A lifeboat crew member transferred across to the cruiser, and, after making a thorough check of the boat to ensure it was not holed, set up for a tow.

The lifeboat found the casualty vessel to be stuck fast on the rocky shelf. Two marine engineers from the cruise hire company arrived on scene with a tow vessel, but were also unable to get the vessel off the rocks.

The lifeboat took both passengers and their RNLI crew member onto the lifeboat and into Terryglass Harbour, where arrangements were made for both casualties to stay on shore overnight and their boat to be re-floated the following morning.

The lifeboat departed the scene at 8.50pm and was back at station at 9.07pm.

Brendan O’Brien, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘plan your passage, study your charts and identify the navigation marks for the harbour to which you are travelling.

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]

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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.