Vessel runs aground on Lough Derg

On Monday morning, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist two people whose vessel ran aground in severe weather during Storm Floris.

At 11.25am Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Steve Smyth, crew Joe O’Donoghue, Doireann Kennedy and Chris Parker on board. The wind was west-northwest, Force 5 gusting F7. Visibility was fair with frequent heavy and severe squalls.

At 11.42am, the lifeboat located the casualty vessel, inside Navigation Buoy G at Kylanoe Point, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg. The casualty was heavily ground-ed on rocks, and with the severe westerly winds, was being pushed higher onto the rocky shore. After a detailed assessment, the RNLI helm determined that due to the treacherous location and rough weather conditions, the lifeboat would be unable to get sufficiently close to the casualty vessel to evacuate the two people on board safely.

At 12.04pm, following a discussion with Valentia Coast Guard, it was agreed that the Killaloe Coast Guard D-class lifeboat, would launch from Terryglass Harbour, north of the scene, to assist. The D-class lifeboat is designed to operate in shallow water and near rocky shores.

The Killaloe Coast Guard D-class lifeboat took the two casualties from their stricken ves-sel onto their lifeboat and out to safe water, where they were then transferred to the RNLI lifeboat. The RNLI lifeboat carried both casualties to safety to Dromineer Har-bour.

Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: “This rescue, con-ducted in severe weather conditions, had a positive outcome due to the excellent co-operation between RNLI volunteers and our colleagues at Killaloe Coast Guard. Re-member, always check the lake weather forecast before embarking on your journey, and always carry a reliable means of communication with you.”