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Lough Derg RNLI launched to locate a vessel reported to have glanced off rocks

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Saturday 1 June, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to locate, assess and escort a vessel to safe harbour that a member of the public reported had made contact with rocks at Ryan’s Point.

Lough Derg Lifeboat leaving its mooring to set out on a Shout, the view is of the starboard side of the lifeboat, all four crew are looking ahead

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat 'Jean Spier'
At 13.41pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, crew Steve Smyth, Joe O’Donoghue and Deirdre Gleeson on board. The wind was north-westerly, Force 2 to 3. Visibility was very good.

A description of the craft, which was en route to Dromineer Harbour, was passed to the lifeboat.

The lifeboat made a quick sweep of the public harbour but did not see a vessel that fitted the description given. The lifeboat made way to Ryan’s Point but there was no vessel at that location. The RNLI volunteers spoke to the skipper of a vessel at anchor in the centre of the bay, but they had not seen a vessel in distress. The lifeboat returned to the public harbour and located a motor boat that fitted the description supplied to Valentia Coast Guard. The vessel had recently passed Ryan’s Point but, according to the skipper, had not made contact with rocks and was not in need of assistance.

The lifeboat reported its findings to Valentia Coast Guard, it departed the scene and was back at station at 2.18pm.


Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to ‘observe the navigation marks and be aware that there are sudden shallows and rocky shoals close to the shore’.



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]

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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.
RNLI volunteers Joe and Deirdre in their kit, pose by the lifeboat after returning form their Shout, Deirdre's first callout on the lifeboat

RNLI/Christine O'Malley

Lough Derg RNLI volunteers Joe O'Donoghue and Deirdre Gleeson (on her first Shout today)

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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