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Lough Derg RNLI assists 2 people on a 29ft yacht grounded on a sandbank

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Sunday afternoon 11 June, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 2 people on a 29ft yacht that had grounded on a sandbank west of Ilaunhobert and Crane Island on the south-western shore of the lake.

At 3.40pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Oisín Higgins on board. The wind was southerly Force 2, visibility was good.

At 3.55pm, using coordinates supplied by Valentia Coast Guard, the lifeboat located the casualty vessel west of Ilaunhobert and Crane Island on the south-western shore of the lake. Using onboard navigation tools and taking soundings, the lifeboat made a safe approach to the yacht. An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found both people on board safe, unharmed and wearing their lifejackets, and the vessel undamaged.


The helm decided to take the casualty vessel off the sandbank and out into safe water. Once in safe water, the skipper was asked to check that the vessel’s rudder and inboard engine were in good working order. The RNLI volunteer transferred back to the lifeboat and the casualty made way under its own power to Dromineer.


Jeremy Freeman, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users ‘that warm weather is forecast to continue, so remember to take plenty of water for your journey and wear sunscreen to protect against the additional glare from the sun on water’.

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
resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI News Centre
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.

Looking back over the A-frame, the tow line can be seen going back to the stern of the casualty vessel. An RNLI volunteer is sitting at the stern of the casualty vessel

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat 'Jean Spier' June 11

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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