Lifeboat assists cruiser that ran aground

On Saturday afternoon Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of six people on a 42ft motor cruiser that ran aground at the southern end of the Corakeen Islands, in Dromineer Bay. The wind was westerly, Force 3. Visibility was good to fair, with frequent heavy rain squalls.

 

At 3.20pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker and crew members Ger Egan, Keith Brennan and Chris Parker on board.

 

Using navigation charts and taking depth soundings, the lifeboat made a careful approach to the cruiser, and was alongide the casualty vessel at 3.30pm.

 

The lifeboat volunteers found all on board the cruiser to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and once satisfied it was not holed, set up for a tow. At 3.40pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel off the rocks and towed out into safe water.

 

Once in safe water, and after it was established that the drives and the propeller were in good working order, the tow was released. With an RNLI volunteer remaining on board, and the lifeboat standing by, the cruiser made way to Dromineer Harbour. As both vessels approached Dromineer Harbour, the lifeboat went ahead to drop off two crew so that they could receive lines from the cruiser as she came alongside. At 4.35pm the cruiser was safely tied alongside in the public harbour at Dromineer.