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Lough Derg RNLI assist 2 people on a 15ft motorboat adrift with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Earlier today, Monday 14 September, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to assist 2 people on a 15ft motorboat adrift north of Coolbawn, on the north-eastern shore of Lough Derg, after suffering engine failure.

View over the stern of the lifeboat with the towing line through the A-frame of the lifeboat

RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Lough Derg RNLI Jean Spier 14 September 2026
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At 2:30pm, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat ‘Jean Spier’ launched with helm James Corballis, and crew Steve Smyth and Paraic Slattery on board. The wind was south-westerly, Force 3 to 4, gusting F5 in heavy squalls. Visibility was mostly good, decreasing from moderate to poor in heavy rain.

At 2:54pm lifeboat volunteers arrived on scene. Both people on board were safe and unharmed. Given the remote location, the current and forecast weather conditions, and the absence of any other vessels on the water at the location, the helm made the decision to transfer an RNLI volunteer across to the casualty vessel to set up for an astern tow. The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard of the plan to take the casualties to Terryglass Harbour, the closest safe haven.

At 3:37pm the helm requested the tow be changed from an astern to an alongside tow to navigate the narrow channel into Terryglass Harbour. The casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at 3:46pm, where the skipper intended to recover their boat to their trailer.

The lifeboat departed the scene at 3:50pm and was back at station at 4:15pm. The lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and ready for service at 4:46pm.


Commenting on the callout, Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises lake users to 'check local weather before setting out, carry a reliable means of communication such as a VHF radio or waterproof mobile phone, ensure you have sufficient fuel for your journey and wear your lifejackets'.


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 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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