#RNLI – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat rescued two people on board a sinking 40ft vessel holed after it hit rocks yesterday.
At 16.44hrs the lifeboat launched following a request by Valentia Coast Guard. The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Lian Knight and Ben Ronayne on board located the vessel inside Bonaveen Point in Cloondavaun Bay, at the northern end of the lake on the Galway shore. Winds were West South West, Force 2-3 with good visibility.
The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter was scrambled from Shannon to go to the scene. Fergal Kearney, the Lifeboat Deputy Launching Authority was close by and arranged to carry two large bore marine pumps to the vessel. Marine Engineer Eammon Egan and Kevin Hynes launched from Portumna to assist, as did Mr. Sullivan from Sullivan Marina.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 17.02hrs. The two persons on board were unharmed but had readied their RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) in case they had to abandon ship.
Once it was established that the two pumps were effectively emptying the vessel of water, the S&R Helicopter circling overhead was stood down by Valentia Coast Guard. As the crusier was being emptied of water it began to drift into dangerous water.
At 17.25hrs, with the pumps running, an RNLI crew member, two engineers and the two persons onboard, the lifeboat took the cruiser under tow to the Sullivan's Marina close by, where the vessel was lifted out of the water.
The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service at again 1t 18.30hrs