Lough Derg RNLI assists 3 people on a 26ft cruiser with engine failure
On Wednesday 29 May, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 3 people on a 26ft cruiser with engine failure and at anchor in Youghal Bay, east of Garrykennedy Harbour.
At 5.34pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Dom Sharkey, crew Eleanor Hooker, Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was north-westerly, Force 3 to 4. Visibility was good.At 5.41pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel at the location given. The casualty vessel’s anchor was holding. An RNLI volunteer boarded the vessel and determined all on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Given the location, the deteriorating weather conditions and the casualty vessel’s proximity to Garrykennedy, the safest close harbour, the helm made the decision to take the casualty vessel under an astern tow to the harbour. The lifeboat helm informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision.
The casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at 6.08pm. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 6.31pm.
Aoife Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users to ‘carry sufficient fuel for your journey, and if you find yourself in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard’.
Yesterday evening, Tuesday 28 May, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist 6 people on a 31ft cruiser with engine failure and at anchor on the west shore of Lough Derg between Williamstown and Drummaan.
At 6.54pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Dom Sharkey, crew Chris Parker, Tom Hayes and Oisín Higgins on board. The wind was westerly Force 4. Visibility was good.
At 7.06pm the lifeboat came alongside the casualty vessel. All 6 people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Given the isolated location, the hour and that there were seniors and infants on board, the helm made the decision to take the casualty vessel under tow back to Dromineer, where the casualties had their car and a means to get home. The helm informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision.
The casualty vessel was safely tied alongside in Dromineer Harbour at 7.38pm. The lifeboat was back at station at 7.56pm.
Aoife Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘ensure your vessel is serviced before undertaking a journey. Always check the weather forecast and carry a means of communication’.
- Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-
nearest/lifeboat-stations/ lough-derg-lifeboat-station
