Lough Derg lifeboat called into action again

At 4pm on Monday 22 April Lough Derg RNLI were requested to go to the assistance of a peron on a 37ft cruiser aground noth of the mouth of the Scarriff River.
 
The lifeboat launched with helm Ger Egan, Eleanor Hooker, Jimmy Gundegjerde Kjell and Joe O’Donoghue on board. Winds were southernly, force 2/3 with good visibility.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.45pm. Winds had pushed the cruiser close to shore and raised it high out of the water. The lifeboat approached the cruiser with caution whilst the volunteer crew took soundings and used the electronic navigation charts on board to assess depths.

An RNLI crew member transferred across the to the casualty vessel and established that the skipper was safe and unharmed. They checked the boat for ingress of water and also emptied the tanks on board to lighten the vessel.

After a thorough assessment of depths around the cruiser, the RNLI volunteers set up for a tow. The cruiser was taken off the rocks and into deeper water, where the crew member on board the casualty vessel again checked the boat to ensure there was no damage to the hull. The skipper checked the engine, steering and rudder which were found to be in working order. The lifeboat released the tow and with a crew member still on board, accompanied the cruiser up the Scarriff River. Satisfied that all was in good working order and that it was able to continue its passage without the need for further assistance, the RNLI volunteer transferred back to the lifeboat.

Helm Ger Egan advises to ‘make sure you have up to date charts on board and always check that your surroundings correspond to the navigation route on the chart or GPS.’

The lifeboat returned to the station and was ready for service again at 6.24pm.