Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched at 12:30hrs yesterday (September 3rd) following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to assist two persons on board a yacht aground in Dromineer Bay, and two persons on board a cruiser who were in also in difficulty having made an attempt to assist the yacht.
The RNLI lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Peter Clarke and Gavin Rea on board, launched in southwesterly winds c. 15 knots, with gusts of 21 knots and frequent strong squalls and rain. The lifeboat was alongside the vessels at 12.35hrs, and all persons were safe and unharmed and wearing life jackets. They were located close to St. David’s in Dromineer Bay.
The two elderly persons on board the yacht were distressed, and a RNLI crew member went aboard to reassure them and to assess the boat, which was towed into safe waters and then into the public harbour in Dromineer. The yacht was safely tied alongside at 12.58hrs when the lifeboat returned to assist the cruiser. It was not holed and had not suffered any damage to its rudder.
With an RNLI crew member on board, the vessel was towed out into the lake and into safe waters. The lifeboat accompanied the cruiser to Dromineer Harbour, which was tied alongside at 13.28hrs. The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 13.45hrs.