
Lough Derg RNLI assists 2 people on a 40ft cruiser with engine failure
At noon today, Thursday 10 August, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 2 people on a 40ft cruiser with engine failure and at anchor by navigation buoy H close to Terryglass Bay.
At 12.11pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Steve Smyth, and Eleanor Hooker, Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was south-easterly Force 4/5, visibility was good.
At 12.35pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel and came alongside to transfer an RNLI volunteer across to assess the situation. Both people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
The RNLI crew reported back to the lifeboat that the vessel was dragging its anchor slightly and at risk of being dragged into rocky and shallow water. The helm made the decision to take the vessel with her passengers, and with the RNLI crew member remaining on board, to the closest safe harbour. The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard of the decision.
RNLI crew quickly set up for the tow. At 12.43pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel under an astern tow to Terryglass Harbour. On constant lookout, the lifeboat crew kept the helm appraised of the dense traffic on the lake also making way for Terryglass Harbour.
The helm informed crew on the lifeboat and on the casualty vessel that in order to navigate the narrow channel into the harbour, he was going to take the tow head to weather and to prepare for an alongside tow. The helm
manoeuvred the lifeboat into position and crew changed from an astern to an alongside tow.
As the harbour was full, at 1.16pm the lifeboat safely moored the casualty vessel on the outer wall of the harbour.
The lifeboat departed the scene at 1.43pm and was back at station, washed down and refuelled at 2.16pm.
Aoife Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users ‘if you find yourself in difficulty dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard’.
Earlier in the week, on Sunday afternoon, 6 August, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch to assist 3 people on a vessel taking on water and in danger of sinking outside Garrykennedy Harbour. At 2.08pm the lifeboat launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Richard Nolan on board. At 2.15pm the lifeboat was stood down by Valentia Coast Guard, who informed the crew that a vessel close by had towed the casualty vessel into the harbour and that it was now safely moored alongside.
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, 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.