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Lough Derg RNLI launched to a boat adrift & to assist a kayaker in difficulty

Lifeboats News Release

In two back-to-back callouts, Lough Derg RNLI launched to search for a possible missing person and to assist a kayaker in difficulty in the water.

View from the port side of the lifeboat, midship, and in the distance, barely perceptible is the kayaker in the water

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat 'Jean Spier' assists a kayaker in difficulty

At 10.28am on Monday morning 10 April, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch following a report from a resident on Illaunmore that a speedboat was at an unsafe location north of the island and appeared not to have anyone on board. Valentia Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to check the vessel and determine whether anyone was in need of assistance.


At 10.39am Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Chris Parker and Richard Nolan on board. Winds were west-southwest, F3, gusting F6 with frequent heavy rain showers. Visibility was good.

At 10.55am the RNLI lifeboat crew could see the casualty vessel at the location reported north of Illaunmore. They navigated the lifeboat through safe water to the casualty vessel, which was close to shore. An RNLI crew member waded in to the vessel and found it to be at anchor astern, with a line from it’s bow to a tree on the shore. As the vessel had been made secure, the RNLI volunteer checked through the cabin windows and was satisfied there was no one on board. The lifeboat reported their findings to Valentia Coast Guard, who then stood down the lifeboat .

The lifeboat departed the scene at 10.59am and was back at station at 11.12am. The lifeboat was washed down and refuelled at 11.20am.

At 11.45am Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to assist a kayaker reported to be in difficulty in the water in Dromineer Bay, close to St. David’s.


At 11.54am Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy and Chris Parker on board. Winds were westerly, F3 gusting F6 with frequent heavy squalls, visibility was good.

En route, two kayakers informed the RNLI crew that they were a party of four and that their companion was in the water to the right of St. David’s. A third kayaker paddling to safety, pointed towards the location of the kayaker in the water. The RNLI volunteers quickly located the person whose profile was low in the water.

At 11.56am the lifeboat was alongside the casualty who had managed to get up on and lie lengthways on their upturned kayak. The casualty was taken onto the lifeboat along with the kayak and paddle. The casualty was feeling cold but was not exhibiting signs of hypothermia. Whilst taking the casualty to safety, the lifeboat met the other three kayakers rowing a sheltered route in the lee of Goose Island. The lifeboat remained with them until they reached safe harbour.

Once delivered safely back on land, the RNLI volunteers advised all four kayakers to change immediately into dry clothing and to have a warm drink.
At 12 midday the lifeboat returned to station and at 12.35am was washed down and refuelled.


Aoife Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said the earlier callout was a ‘false alarm but with good intent’. She thanked the public for their vigilance. Ms Kennedy advises all lake users to ‘check the weather before going afloat and to remember that the water is still cold at this time of year so do dress appropriately for your activity’.

Ends

Notes to editors

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
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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.

View from seat 4, three crew ahead and over the bow the casualty vessel on the shore.

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat 'Jean Spier' investigates an unmanned vessel

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, 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.

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