Multi-agency response on Lough Derg

On Monday, August 4, at just after noon, Killaloe Coast Guard unit was tasked to assist two people on board a cruiser that was aground south of Terryglass on Lough Derg. The Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was already on scene but due to the location of the vessel and the severe weather conditions at the time the decision was made to seek the assistance of the Killaloe unit’s D class rescue boat to access the vessel in shallow water.

The D class crew travelled to Terryglass Harbour by road and launched into challenging conditions to reach the causality vessel. After a quick briefing with the RNLI Lifeboat crew the Coast Guard D class navigated its way onto the stern of the causality vessel, a crew member was transferred on board and found the two persons on board safe and well and wearing life jackets. They were taken on board the Coast Guard D class and transported out of danger to the RNLI Lifeboat where they were then transported to Dromineer Harbour by the Lifeboat crew.

The D class crew then returned to Terryglass Harbour where a shore team was waiting to assist in recovering the rescue boat. At 3.30pm the Unit returned to base at the Pier Head.

This tasking showed the excellent multi agency coordination between the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI crews on Lough Derg working together to ensure a safe rescue in challenging conditions. This incident was coordinated by the watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard Marine Coordination centre in Valentia.