Lough Derg RNLI’s volunteers were called to assist two people on a 36ft motor cruiser aground south of the Goat Road on Friday afternoon (19 June).
At 3:33pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteer helm Chris Parker and crew Owen Cavanagh and Deirdre Gleeson on board. The wind was westerly Force 2 with good visibility.
The lifeboat arrived on scene some 20 minutes later to find that the casualty vessel was aground on the south side of the Goat Road, a raised rocky shoal for migrating birds.
Assessing the lake charts at the location of the casualty vessel, the navigator advised that there was sufficient depth port side of the vessel on which the lifeboat could approach.
With an RNLI volunteer taking soundings and using the navigation instruments onboard, the lifeboat was alongside at 4pm.
An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found both people on board to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Given that their vessel was aground, the casualties were told that they would be taken off their boat and to the safety of Dromineer Harbour, where transport to their car would be arranged.
Before departing the scene, the RNLI volunteer deployed the anchor as an additional precaution.
Commenting on the call-out, Mary Hurley, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: “The people on board were correct in calling for help as soon as they found themselves in difficulty.
“If you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF Radio Channel 16 and ask for the coastguard.”
