Lough Derg RNLI assist a family of 4 on a 43ft cruiser with engine failure

At 5.02pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Steve Smyth, Keith Brennan and Chris Parker on board. The lake was rough, with westerly winds Force 4 gusting 5 and good visibility.

At 5.15pm the lifeboat arrived on scene having located the vessel midway between Garrykennedy and Ryan’s Point at Youghal Bay. All four people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and reported back to the helm that the engines were overheating. Given the weather conditions and location, the helm decided to take the vessel under tow to the safety of Garrykennedy public harbour.

At 6.10pm the casualty vessel was safety tied alongside in Garrykennedy Harbour. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 6.26pm

Jeremy Freeman, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘ensure your engines are serviced and that you have a means of communication should you get into difficulty on the water’.

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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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
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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.