Lough derg rnli lifeboat assists yacht in dromineer bay

At 8.03pm on the evening of Monday, June 15th, the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard to assist four people on board a 24ft yacht aground in Sandy Bottom, Dromineer Bay.

The lifeboat launched at 8.12pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Owen Cavanagh and Dean O'Sullivan on board, with good visibility and force 3 southwesterly winds.

The cruiser was located at 8.13pm after local boat owners had attempted to offer assistance but found themselves in danger of grounding. 

An RNLI volunteer waded to the yacht which was aground in two feet of water and found that the four people on board were safe and unharmed. Once he established that the vessel was not taking on water, the lifeboat took the yacht under tow to Dromineer Harbour.

Brendan O'Brien, Deputy Launching Authority, advises all boat users to note that “water levels on the lake are particularly low at the moment and to bear this in mind when passage planning”.  He also suggests asking locals for advice if uncertain. 

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 9.20pm.