Lifeboat called into action on Lough Derg
On Tuesday afternoon, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of a person on a 23ft cruiser with engine failure in Slevoir Bay, the most northerly end of Lough Derg.
RNLI lifeboat 'Jean Spier' was launched at 12.44pm. The wind was south-westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good.The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel at 1.06pm. The three RNLI volunteers found the person on board to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejacket. The skipper had dropped anchor to prevent drift on to the rocky shore.
An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and established that its starter motor had failed. At 1.22pm, with a lifeboat crew remaining on board, volunteers set up for an alongside tow. They raised the anchorer ready to take the cruiser with its skipper to Terryglass, the safest closest harbour. At 1.50pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at Terryglass public harbour.
Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, said: "It’s good to see so many boats enjoying Lough Derg; do remember to study your charts, stay within the navigation channels and know the ‘rules of the road’ when passing other vessels."
The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 2.50pm.