Lough Derg RNLI assists a family of 4 on a 40ft cruiser aground at the Goat Road
On Thursday evening August 25, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to assist a family of four on a 40ft cruiser aground at the Goat Road at navigation Marker E
The lifeboat, Jean Spier, already afloat on exercise, returned to Station for crew changeover and at 8.52pm launched with helm Steve Smyth, Tom Hayes, Chris Parker and Ciara Moylan on board. Winds were southwesterly Force 3, visibility was reduced with nightfall.
At 9.03pm the lifeboat arrived on scene. All four people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An engineer from the cruiser company was also on scene. The engineer and an RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel to check that there no damage to the hull. Given the late hour and location, the helm decided to take the vessel off the shoal and out into safe water.
At 9.43pm the lifeboat had the vessel off the Goat Road and under tow to safe water where the drives and propeller were checked and found to be in good working order. Under its own power and with an RNLI volunteer remaining on board, the cruiser followed the lifeboat to Rossmore Harbour where it was safely tied alongside at 10.10pm.
The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 10.48pm
Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘plan your passage so that you arrive at safe harbour before nightfall. Anticipate each navigation buoy on your route and keep a lookout visually and on your lake charts’.
Ends
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.