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Lough Derg RNLI volunteers assist 5 people on a 32ft cruiser with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Tuesday 16 June, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 5 people on a 32ft motor cruiser, with engine failure and at anchor north of Illaunmore.

View from the helm seat, with the instrument consul and the view of the gray lake over the bow

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Jean Spier 16 June 2026
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At 1:05pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteer helm Chris Parker and crew James Corballis and Owen Cavanagh on board. The wind was south-westerly, Force 2 to 3. Visibility was good.

At 1:14pm the lifeboat arrived on scene. All on board the casualty vessel were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

Given the location, close to a main navigation route, and the possibility of another callout should the vessel be left where it was and with no other traffic on the water at the time, the helm made the decision to assist the casualty vessel to the closest safe harbour at Dromineer. The lifeboat informed the Coast Guard of this decision.

An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and explained the plan before he prepared the cruiser for an astern tow. The RNLI crew recovered the anchor when instructed to by the lifeboat.

At 2:10pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at Dromineer Harbour. At 2:15pm the lifeboat departed the scene to return to station. The lifeboat was washed down and refuelled and ready for service at 2:38pm

Commenting on the callout, Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘We would remind boat users to ensure you check you engine and fuel 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

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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.

RNLI Media Contacts

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 [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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