The lifeboat with helm Johnny Hoare, Peter Clarke and Gavin Rea on board, launched at 12.15hrs. Weather conditions were poor, with South Easterly winds Force 6 gusting 7. The lifeboat located the 28ft speedboat adrift, east of Parker’s Point. The two persons on board were safe and unharmed. As a result of the severe chop on the lake, the vessel’s anchor had come undone and fell overboard at the bow, fouling the props and shaft astern, causing the engine to fail and the boat to drift. At Parker’s Point the lake can produce very confusing seas in high winds, with steep pyramid waves due to the dramatic changes in depth of the water at that point, and a ‘boxinng sea’ effect due to the division of the lake southwards and westwards. A lifeboat crew member transferred to the casualty vessel and reassured the persons on board; the vessel was then towed to the safety of Garrykennedy public harbour.
The lifeboat then returned to Station and was ready for service again at 14.00hrs.
