Derg lifeboat called out to assist stranded cruiser

At 5.58pm on Friday, June 4th, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a person on a 28ft cruiser suffering engine failure, reported to be near Mountshannon Harbour.

At 6.09pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Joe O’Donoghue, Tom Hayes and Ciara Moylan on board. The winds were southerly, Force 3/4. Visibility was good.

With a description from the Valentia Coast Guard, the lifeboat located the vessel in the navigation channel off Ilaun Hobert and was alongside at 6.19pm. The skipper was safe and unharmed and wearing his lifejacket. He had managed to get his engine going and was under way, but at a slow speed, as the engine cut each time he increased the revs.

The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard that they were going to take the casualty vessel under tow to Dromaan Harbour. By Dromaan Harbour the lifeboat volunteers changed the tow from an astern tow to an alongside tow in order to navigate the narrow channel into the harbour.

At 7.24pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside and the lifeboat departed the scene. The lifeboat was back at station at 7.40pm.

Liam Maloney, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to "ensure your boat engine is serviced, and that you use fresh fuel when returning to the water after overwintering your boat".