Lough Derg RNLI assists 5 people on a 38ft cruiser aground at Bushy Island

At 2.45pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Chris Parker and Steve Smyth on board. Winds were south-easterly Force 3, visibility was good.

At 3.00pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel and made a cautious approach with an RNLI volunteer taking soundings off the bow. All five people on board were safe and unharmed and requested to don their lifejackets. The cruiser was aground on a rocky shoal with large rocks visible at its stern and bow and with sand to the port side.

The lifeboat lay alongside the casualty vessel’s port side whilst a volunteer climbed on board to check whether the vessel was damaged or holed.

Accompanied by the skipper, the RNLI volunteer checked under the floorboards, in the bilge and engine housing where they found a hairline break in the hull below the water line that was permitting ingress of water. The volunteer reported back to the helm who decided that the safest course was to drop anchor, secure the vessel and take all five people off and to the safety of Mountshannon Harbour where crew would help the casualties make contact with a marina and marine engineer with facilities to recover their boat. The RNLI helm reported the findings and decision to Valentia Coast Guard.

At 3.30pm the lifeboat delivered all five people ashore at Mountshannon. After assisting the casualties to make contact with a marine engineer, the lifeboat departed the scene at 3.50pm and was back at Station at 4.15pm. The lifeboat was refuelled and washed down at 4.45pm

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘dial 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue if in difficulty on the lake’.

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.