Lough Derg RNLI assists 3 people on 33ft cruiser aground in Scarriff Bay
Lough Derg RNLI assists 3 people on 33ft cruiser aground in Scarriff Bay
Lifeboats News Release
Earlier this evening, Sunday 6 September, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to assist 3 people on a 33ft cruiser that had suffered engine failure and ran aground in Scarriff Bay near Mountshannon Harbour.
RNLI/Eleanor Hooker
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Jean Spier, 6 September 2026
At 3:46pm, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat ‘Jean Spier’ launched with helm Steve Smyth, and crew Paraic Slattery, Tom Hayes and Chris Parker on board. The wind was south-westerly, Force 3 gusting F5 with heavy squalls. Visibility was mostly good, decreasing to moderate in rain and squalls.
At 4:01pm lifeboat volunteers arrived on scene. As the vessel was aground, the helm decided to anchor and veer back to the casualty vessel to recover all 3 people to the lifeboat.
It was established that all on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. Once within the safest close distance of the casualty vessel, RNLI crew heaved a line to the skipper, who was requested to secure it to a cleat on their vessel. The other end of the line was secured to the lifeboat. The helm then briefed the casualties on the transfer; they were to hold the line as a guide to walk to the lifeboat.
Once all 3 casualties were safely on board the lifeboat, the helm made the decision to bring them to Dromineer, where support and cars were waiting for them.
Commenting on the callout, Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘the casualties made the correct decision to request immediate assistance when they realised they needed help.
Remember, the RNLI advises lake users to check local weather before setting out, carry a reliable means of communication like a VHF radio or waterproof mobile phone, and know how to ‘Float to Live’ if capsized or immersed in cold or deep water.’
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.
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