#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist two people and their dog on board a 32ft cruiser, aground on Sandy Bottom in Dromineer Bay last night.
At 8.05pm on Thursday evening, July 31, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people and their dog on board a cruiser aground at Sandy Bottom, close to the lifeboat station, in Dromineer Bay.
The lifeboat launched at 8.12pm with Helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Keith Brennan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 4, visibility was good.
The lifeboat came alongside at 8.13pm and transferred an RNLI crew member to the boat. The two people and their dog were safe and unharmed. The boat was checked for damage and found not to be taking water. The engine was in good working order. An attempt to take the boat off the sandy bank by running its engines astern was unsuccessful. The Lifeboat took the cruiser under tow and out to open water, where further checks found that the steering was not working. The cruiser was towed to Dromineer Harbour and tied safely alongside at 8.45pm.
Lifeboat Helm Eleanor Hooker advises all boat users to 'study your charts and plan your passage before setting out from port, and to know the navigation buoys on the lake.'