Donate now
  • Home
  • News and media
  • Lough Derg RNLI volunteers assist 4 people on a 35ft cruiser with engine failure

Lough Derg RNLI volunteers assist 4 people on a 35ft cruiser with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier this evening, Friday 12 June, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 4 people on a 35ft motor cruiser, with engine failure and at anchor close to Terryglass Harbour.

View over the right shoulder of the helm, gray water and rough, in the distance is the white hull of the casualty vessell

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI 12 June 2026
Download image
At 6:25pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteer helm Owen Cavanagh and crew Steve Smyth and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was southerly with frequent squalls, Force 4 to 5. Visibility was good.


At 6:52pm the lifeboat arrived on scene. It was evident that the casualty vessel was floating and its anchor holding. A marine engineer in his Dory motor boat had remained alongside the casualty vessel until the lifeboat arrived. As lifeboat stood off to assess the situation, the engineer gave the RNLI volunteers a report of his findings.

Given the hour, the location, close to a main navigation route, the weather conditions, and the possibility of initiating another callout should the vessel be left where it was, the helm made the decision to assist the casualty vessel to the closest safe harbour at Terryglass.

An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found all on board safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. He explained the plan and proceeded to prepare the casualty vessel for an astern tow.


At 7:25pm, the casualty vessel was tied alongside at Terryglass Harbour. At 7:30pm the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 7:56pm. The lifeboat was washed down and refuelled and ready for service at 8:23pm


Commenting on the callout, Greg Whelan, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘We would remind boat users to ensure you check you engine, fuel and the weather forecast before embarking on your journey. If you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
Ends
Notes to editors

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.

RNLI Media Contacts

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

Categories