Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew were the recipients of a number of personalised gifts from a keen lifeboat supporter at a presentation yesterday afternoon (Sunday 4 July).

Limerick man Mark Conway (43) visited Coosan Point Athlone with his friend Tommy Corbett and key worker Ivana Kottesova, bringing with him a self-crafted model of an all-weather lifeboat.

The creative artist, who has honed his skills with the Brothers of Charity in the Treaty City, had earlier this year contacted then lifeboat operations manager Tony McCarth to offer the replica as a gift to the station.

At a special ceremony at the Lough Ree RNLI boathouse at Coosan Point, Conway met McCarth, current lifeboat operations manager Jude Kilmartin, treasurer Vincent Rafter and members of the crew and their families and presented his metre long model of an RNLI lifeboat.

During the visit Conway had another surprise in store when he also presented a painting of a lifeboat which was also his own work.

Kottesova said: “Mark has already made presentations to the RNLI at Lough Derg, Kilrush, Courtmacsherry and Kinsale and hopes eventually to visit all RNLI lifeboat stations on the island.”

Kilmartin expressed the charity’s gratitude for the presentation and said he looked forward to displaying the art in a place of prominence in the new boathouse, which is on schedule for completion later this year.

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew this morning (Friday 2 July) responded to a call-out to a cruiser with eleven people on board which had run aground north of Inch Turk island.

This brings to 25 the number of people the charity has rescued since last Sunday.

This morning’s call came from the Irish Coast Guard at 8.30 am. Under helm Emmet Devereux the volunteer crew launched in calm conditions quickly reached the stricken vessel with all eleven people on board wearing life jackets. Following an inspection, the cruiser was towed off the rocks into safe water.

Last Sunday afternoon (27 June) the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew rescued four people on board a cruiser stranded on the Hexagon Shoal near Hare Island.

On Tuesday last (29 June) the Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall’ and her volunteer crew were back in the same waters when a cruiser with nine people on board ran aground off Hare Island. Minutes after returning to base the lifeboat was back on the water, this time coming to the assistance of a 34ft cruiser with one person on board which had lost power off Carberry island.

Reflecting on a busy summer season, with eighteen call-outs so far this year Lough Ree RNLI Operations Manager Jude Kilmartin advised boat users to ‘be aware of the falling water levels on the lake which has made rock shoals on the lake more dangerous. The best advice is to always remain within the navigation markers.’

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew this afternoon (Thursday 24 June) brought six people to safety after it responded to a call out to a cruiser that was taking on water and listing badly north of Hare Island.

Tasked by the Irish Coast Guard, the Lough Ree RNLI crew launched just after 4 pm and reached the 34ft cruiser shortly afterwards. On arrival at the scene, the craft was discovered on the Hexagon Shoal, a rock formation near Hare Island. Crew members boarded the stricken vessel and on inspection found that it had been holed, was taking on water and listing badly on the starboard side.

Under helm Stan Bradbury and fellow volunteer crew members Emmet Devereux, Liam Sheringham and Donal Herraghty the six casualties were transferred to the safety of the Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall.’

In relatively calm lake conditions the six people were taken to the jetty at Coosan Point. This evening (Thursday 24 June) the grounded vessel remains on the rocks pending safe recovery.

Jude Kilmartin, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Ree RNLI advises boat users to ‘plan your passage, study your charts and don’t stray off the charted navigation routes.’

Today’s rescue brings to 30 the number of casualties the charity has assisted this month. Last week (Friday 18 June) the volunteer lifeboat crew rescued two adults and a child in a boat stranded on rocks adjacent to today’s event.

This weekend saw the much-anticipated return to racing for two youth sailing fleets; the Mirror & 420 fleets. This joint event held at Lough Ree Yacht Club, was a Mirror Regional Championship and a 420 "Warm Up" Regatta.

The first 420 Regional is scheduled for the 26th & 27th of this month at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club, giving time for the Leaving Cert Sailors.

Nineteen boats competed, ten Mirrors and nine 420's and the conditions were sublime! Breeze on Saturday was fresh at times, enabling the 420's planing upwind. Lake sailing without sea swell offers dinghy Sailors a different experience however, when light conditions prevail, local knowledge can be useful! Race Officer Garrett Leech got 6 races in over the course of the weekend.

The start of a Lough Ree Yacht Club Mirror dinghy race

In the Mirror Fleet, the Championship was dominated by Sligo Sister & Brother team, Jessica & Mark Greer who got bullets in 5 out of the 6 races. Second place overall again went to Sligo Sailors, Mia Canham & William Draper, and third overall went to Blessington Sailors; Jack McNaughton & Saoirse Lawley. A big shout out to local sailors (and first time racing!); Mathew Turner & Donnacha Dullea, who finished fourth overall and first in Bronze Fleet.

In the 420s, the "Warm Up" regatta was dominated by Jack McDowell (Malahide Yacht Club) & Harry Thompson (Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club), who like their Mirror counterparts, won 5 bullets out of the 6 races. Second & third places overall went to local duo's; Eoghan Duffy & Luke Johnston and Alex Leech & Conor Paul, respectively.

Two of the competing 420 Teams will be travelling to Yacht Club San Remo in Italy for the 420 World Championship, which starts at the beginning of July and runs for almost two weeks. These teams are McDowell/Thompson & Hauer/Micka.

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew went to the aid of thirteen people as it responded to three separate call-outs on the northern waters of the lake over the past weekend.

The most significant event was on Saturday (12 June) when at 7.20 pm the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew launched under helm Emmet Devereaux to go to the aid of a speedboat with nine people on board which was drifting in Bantry Bay. On reaching the scene it was found that the boat had run aground and damaged a propeller. The craft with nine people on board was taken under tow to a safe berth at Ballyleague.

Late on Friday evening, the Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat volunteer crew went to the assistance of a 23ft steel cruiser with two people on board which had run aground in Barley Harbour. The cruiser was towed off the rocks and following inspection towed to Barley Harbour. The RNLI volunteer lifeboat the ‘Tara Scougall’ returned to its base just before midnight.

On Sunday morning (13 June) the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew returned to Bantry Bay on the Longford lakeshore where a 37ft cruiser with two people on board had run aground and was listing. Following the inspection, the boat was taken under tow to a safe berth in Lanesboro.

Reflecting on a busy weekend for the charity, Lough Ree RNLI volunteer operations manager Jude Kilmartin said: ‘this is the start of the busy season on the lake when all users of the waterway should in time of need make the emergency call to 999 or 112 at the earliest opportunity. It is a tribute to our volunteer crews that responses this weekend were successful and timely.’

Lough Ree RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched came to the assistance of two cruisers on the lake over the bank holiday weekend, taking seven people to safety.

Just after lunchtime on Saturday (5 June), the volunteer crew responded to a call from a cruiser with five people on board which was grounded on Kids Island near Lough Ree Yacht Club.

On reaching the scene, a line was attached to the grounded cruiser and it was taken on tow off the rocks and escorted to Coosan Point.

In the second incident, on Sunday evening (6 June), a member of the public raised the alarm when a cruiser was seen to be in difficulties in Portrunny Bay.

Under helm Tom Bradbury and with a volunteer crew on board, the Lough Ree lifeboat Tara Scougall reached the scene at 6.35pm. Following assessment, the boat was towed off the rocks and escorted to Portrunny on the Roscommon shore.

The two callouts bring to 11 the total of people the lifesaving charity has assisted on Lough Ree this June.

And as the summer season gains momentum, volunteer lifeboat operations manager Jude Kilmartin has reminded all of those who use the lake to “equip themselves fully and ensure that they are familiar with navigation maps and guidance for Lough Ree”.

In two separate incidents, the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew came to the assistance of six people at Gailey Bay and Nuns Island over the weekend.

At 6 pm on Saturday (29 May) the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew under helm Kieran Sloyan responded to a call for assistance from a private cruiser with two people on board who had run aground in Gailey Bay near Portrunny. On arrival at the scene, the grounded cruiser was inspected and then taken under tow to safe water.

Yesterday evening (Sunday 30 May) a call was received from a rib with four people and a family pet on board who had experienced engine failure near Nuns Island. Under helm Shane McCormack the Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall’ with a volunteer crew launched just before 6 pm. On reaching the scene everyone was found to be safe and the stricken vessel was taken under tow to safe berthing in the Inner Lakes.

As the summer season begins and ahead of the June Bank Holiday weekend the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer Operations Manager Jude Kilmartin said: ‘It is so important for all who are planning trips on the lake or river to examine their equipment, prepare thoroughly, have a contact ashore and in the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 at the earliest opportunity.’

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew responded to two separate call-outs coming to the assistance of eight people on two different cruisers on Lough Ree on Saturday 22 May.

In the first instance, a boat had become grounded on a rock shelf, west of Inchmore Island on Lough Ree. The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat was launched and reached the scene just before midday. The 17ft cruiser was found grounded and on inspection the engine of the boat was in need of repair.

In bright and breezy conditions the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew took the boat under tow and brought it safely to a berth at Coosan Point marina.

Just before 6pm, the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall’ was back in the water with another volunteer crew coming to the assistance of a 34ft boat which had run aground at Kid Island on Lough Ree. Under RNLI volunteer helm Emmet Devereux the craft was refloated and continued on its way.

Tom Bradbury, one of the helms at Lough Ree RNLI said: ‘Following unusual weather patterns obstacles on the lake can be hidden in rising waters. Boating enthusiasts are reminded of the importance of navigating within the marker buoys on the lake.’

As the new season on the lake begins in earnest Lough Ree RNLI Operations Manager, Jude Kilmartin said: ‘the charity looks forward to working closely with locals and visitors to our inland waterways.’

Lough Ree RNLI is urging the public using the River Shannon and Lough Ree to be safety conscious as they make the seasonal return to the waterway this weekend.

The volunteer lifeboat crew at Lough Ree RNLI have, in line with Covid-19 protocols, returned to the water for training this month and are ready for the new season on the water.

With the combination of Easter holidays, an upcoming extension in travel limits and the hope for better weather over the next few weeks, it’s expected that Lough Ree and the River Shannon will attract large numbers of local visitors.

Jude Kilmartin, Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: “We are asking everyone planning on taking to the water over the holiday period to refresh their safety procedures, check that all safety equipment is in working order and remember never to go on the lake or river without lifejackets.”

The volunteer crew of Lough Ree RNLI looks forward to working with the local community and serving those in Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon who avail of the local amenities over Easter.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Waterways Ireland has appealed for all users of Ireland’s inland waterways not to take part in any activity on the water under the prevailing pandemic restrictions.

Lough Ree RNLI begins 2021 with the appointment of Jude Kilmartin as the station’s new volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager. He succeeds Tony McCarth who held the post since 2017.

During his tenure, Tony McCarth led the volunteer crew of one of the country’s busiest lifeboat stations, welcoming the delivery of a new inshore lifeboat, the Tara Scougall, and most significantly overseeing the start of construction of a new €1.2m lifeboat station at Coosan Point in Athlone which is nearing completion.

Jude Kilmartin is not a stranger to the station, having served in the role of Deputy Launching Authority prior to his new position.

Taking over at the helm, Jude is looking forward to building on the work and leadership of his predecessor. He said: ‘On behalf of all the volunteers at Lough Ree RNLI, I would like to Tony for his leadership and dedication to the station over the last few years. I am now looking forward to taking up this role at a very exciting time for Lough Ree with our new station build nearing completion.

‘The most important thing for us at Lough Ree RNLI is to always be available to come to the assistance of visitors to Lough Ree and to those in the community who live around the lake in Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon.’

From its base near Athlone, Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew responded to more than 40 call-outs last year helping people who got into difficulty on the lake.

The station has recently launched a major fundraising drive to raise €100,000 as a local contribution to the new boathouse which will greatly enhance the services to the community.