Lough Derg Lifeboat Rescues Unconscious Person from Vessel Aground

26th July 2010

On Sunday night July 25 at 23.29hrs, Lough Derg lifeboat Toshiba Wave Warrior launched to investigate a report of a vessel aground at Tinkers Point at the southern end of Illaunmore and found a person deeply unconscious on board.

At 23.14hrs on Sunday night July 25 Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch following a report that a vessel was aground at Tinkers Point on the southern tip of the island, Illaunmore. The lifeboat with helm Peter Clarke, Eleanor Hooker and Colin Knight on board, launched at 23.29hrs. Winds were west, north-west, Force 2 to 3. The lifeboat came alongside the person who reported the vessel aground at 23.40hrs. He had attempted to get near the vessel in his lakeboat but was unable to do so due to the dangerous shallows. He thought the vessel might have grounded two hours previously.

The lifeboat proceeded to the casualty vessel and was alongside at 23.48hrs. There was one person on board. Crew searched the vessel to make sure that there was no one else on board. The man was found in the helm’s seat and was deeply unconscious and apparently severely hypothermic. All three RNLI crew boarded the vessel and after establishing that the person had a pulse and was breathing, transferred him to the lifeboat. The lifeboat requested an ambulance to attend at the public harbour in Dromineer. On route to Dromineer lifeboat crew wrapped the person in blankets and administered first aid and oxygen. The Lifeboat Medical Advisor, Dr Peter Hooker, was already at the station and, with Deputy Launching Authority Fergal Kerney, met the lifeboat and took over the care of the person when they arrived at 24.02hrs.

At 24.10hrs an Ambulance First Responder came on scene and together with Dr. Hooker continued treatment of the person. Whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive the person was transferred onto an RNLI stretcher. A member of the public, who was berthed in the public harbour, supplied crew with several sleeping bags with which to wrap the person. Dr. Hooker and the First Responder carried out preliminary checks on the person: blood sugar, temperature, blood pressure and an electrocardiogram. The ambulance arrived on scene at 24.25hrs, however more treatment had to be administered before he was transferred to the Limerick Regional Hospital.

The lifeboat returned to the casualty vessel at Illaunmore. RNLI Crew searched on board for any evidence of the identity of the person. Crew also walked the shoreline at that point on the island to out rule the possibility that anyone might have gone onshore. The lifeboat also circumnavigated the island and crew used a search light to determine whether anyone had made their way onto the island and possibly in need of assistance. When they were satisfied that the person had been alone, they returned to the casualty vessel, took it off the rocks and towed it into Dromineer.

The lifeboat was ready for service again at 02.30hrs.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

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