Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist 4 people on 36ft cruiser with engine failure
On Monday evening August 8, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 4 people on a 36ft cruiser with engine located west of the Corakeen Islands. The skipper had dropped anchor to prevent drift.
At 8.10pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. The wind was westerly Force 2. Visibility was excellent.
The skipper of a passing 45ft cruiser had taken the casualty vessel under tow and when the lifeboat arrived on scene at 8.13pm, both vessels were underway and making way through the Urra Channel. All four people on the casualty vessel were safe and unharmed, and the skipper of the towing vessel, with nine people on board, told the lifeboat that he was happy to continue the tow to Dromineer Harbour. The RNLI volunteers informed Valentia Coast Guard of the situation and that the lifeboat would accompany both vessels to Dromineer.
As all vessels approached Dromineer Harbour, the lifeboat went ahead to secure safe mooring, however as the harbour was full a skipper of a barge offered to have the casualty vessel raft up alongside them and the towing vessel was able to moor at the Canal Store jetty
When both vessels were safely tied alongside, the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 8.36pm.
Aoife Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to ‘ensure your vessel is serviced and in safe working order and if you find yourself in difficulty on the lake dial 999 or 112 and ask for marine rescue’.
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.
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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.