Lough Derg RNLI assist 2 people on18ft motor cruiser adrift engine failure
Earlier this evening, Friday 18 April, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 2 people on an 18ft motor cruiser with engine failure and adrift by Hare Island.
At 4.55pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Joe O’Donoghue, James Corballis and Tom Hayes on board. The wind was north-easterly, Force 3. Visibility was moderate to poor with mist and low cloud cover.
At 5.03pm the lifeboat came alongside the casualty vessel. Both persons on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets
Given the yacht’s location, the weather conditions and the possibility of initiating another emergency response should the vessel be left where it was, the helm made the decision to take the vessel under an astern tow to Dromineer Harbour. The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision. An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and remained on board to assist the skipper once in harbour.
At 5.42pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside in Dromineer Harbour.
The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 5.46pm
Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to ‘plan your passage with close attention to the weather forecast. If you do find yourself in difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard’.
Ends
Notes to editors
- Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
- A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and 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]
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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.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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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.