Lifeboat assists family on Lough Derg

Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist a family of five on a 30ft cruiser in difficulty by navigation mark G on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, Thursday June 24, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a family of five, two adults, two teenagers and a child, on a 30ft cruiser with engine difficulty at navigation mark G, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

At 2.20pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Steve Smyth and Chris parker on board. The wind was westerly, Force 4/5. Visibility was poor with rain, mist and frequent squalls.

At 2.41pm, the lifeboat arrived on scene. The family on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI volunteer was transferred across to the casualty vessel to reassure everyone on board.

The RNLI volunteer reported that the anchor was holding and evidently stuck fast. With deteriorating weather conditions and poor visibility, the RNLI helm made the decision to take all five people on to the lifeboat and transfer them to the safety of the nearest safe harbour, at Terryglass. The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision.

At 3.34pm the lifeboat put the family ashore at Terryglass Harbour.

The lifeboat departed the scene and back at Station at 4.04pm.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘ensure your boats and engines are checked and fuelled ahead of your journey’.