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Lough Derg RNLI assists lone skipper on 33ft yacht with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Monday 13 October, following an alert from a member of the public, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a lone skipper on a 33ft motor cruiser with engine failure at a location close to Drominagh Point.

Lifeboat setting out on a Shout, view from the starbouard side with 4 crew on board

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Jean Spier - archive photo
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At 12:39pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, navigator James Corballis, crew Joe O’Donoghue and Paraic Slattery on board. The wind was south-easterly Force 3 to 4. Visibility was fair with an autumnal haze mapping the length of the lake.


Using the coordinates given to the lifeboat by Valentia Coast Guard, and RADAR to monitor the traffic on the lake, at 12:59pm RNLI volunteers identified the casualty vessel above the Hagan Navigation buoy. The skipper of the vessel had dropped anchor to prevent being pushed onto the rocky western shore.

Given the remote location, the poor visibility and the known hazards at the scene, and with the possibility of initiating another rescue callout should the casualty vessel be left where it was, the helm made the decision to take the vessel under an astern tow and across the narrow stretch of lake to the safest safe haven at Kilgarvin Harbour. The lifeboat communicated the plan to Valentia Coast Guard.

Two RNLI volunteers transferred across to the cruiser to prepare it to be taken under tow and to lift the anchor when instructed.

At 2:08pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at Kilgarvin Harbour. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 2:18pm.


Commenting on the callout, Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘The skipper kept safe by wearing their lifejacket, by dropping anchor and swiftly calling for help once they recognised an issue with their engine. We would remind anyone planning a trip on the lake that if you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’




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.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

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

About the author

Eleanor Hooker
Lifeboat Press Officer, Lough Derg Lifeboat Station

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