Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew launched this afternoon (Monday 12 July) to assist a lake cruiser with six people onboard which had run aground west of Beam Island, close to the Co Roscommon shoreline.
Under helm Kieran Sloyan and with crew Liam Sheringham and Donal Herraghty on board, Lough Ree’s inshore lifeboat Tara Scougall launched shortly after midday and quickly reached the scene east of Hodson Bay.
The 46ft cruiser had become grounded on rocks west of Beam Island. Following an initial assessment, the lifeboat crew towed the vessel off the rocks and, once safety checks gave the call year, the cruiser continued under its own power.
This brings to 14 the number of people rescued by Lough Ree RNLI in the past five days. Late last week (Friday 9 July) a cruiser with five people on board was towed off the Hexagon Shoal, north of Hare Island.
On the way back from this callout, the volunteer lifeboat crew were diverted to assist a cruiser with two people on board which had suffered engine failure. It was taken under tow to a berth at Portrunny.
On the previous evening (Thursday 8 July), Lough Ree RNLI was called to assist a 17ft fishing boat with one person on board which had broken down near Lough Ree Yacht Club. The boat was safely towed to Coosan Point.
Following a busy weekend, Lough Ree RNLI treasurer Vincent Rafter thanked “all members of the public, businesses around the lake and the lake community for the ongoing support of the charity as work nears completion on a new €1.2m boathouse at Coosan Point which will greatly enhance the service which Lough Ree RNLI currently provides.”