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Lough Derg RNLI assist adult and child on 32ft cruiser with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Sunday 5 April, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist two people on a 32ft motor cruiser with engine failure at a location north of Illaunmor.

At 6:32pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteers Owen Cavanagh, Chris Parker, James Corballis and Doireann Kennedy on board. The wind was west south-west Force 2/3. Visibility was very good.

At 6:39pm, the lifeboat arrived on scene. As the casualty vessel had been drifting towards the rocky shallows a lakeboat nearby had towed the vessel into safe water, and waited alongside until the lifeboat arrived on scene.

An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found the two people on board to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

Given the hour and the known hazards at the location, the helm made the decision to assist the vessel to the closest safe harbour in Dromineer. An RNLI volunteer remained on board the casualty vessel.

At 7:20pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 7:34pm.


Commenting on the callout, Tom Hayes, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘As the season begins we would remind boat users to ensure your engines are serviced and that you have enough fuel for your journey. 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


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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.
View over the bow of the lifeboat from the helm seat

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI 5 April 2026
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RNLI Media Contacts

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer 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]

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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