Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched last Thursday (2 July) to assist a person on a 26ft cruiser adrift with a fouled propeller.
At 4.38pm the lifeboat Jean Spier was dispatched with volunteer helm James Corballis and crew Paraic Slattery, Joe O’Donoghue and Steve Smyth on board. Conditions had a north-westerly Force 2–3 wind with good visibility.
The lifeboat soon located the vessel near Williamstown, above the Corakeen Islands. The lone person on board was found to be safe and unharmed, and wearing their lifejacket.
Given the location, close to a main navigation route, and the possibility of another call-out should the vessel be left where it was, and with no other suitable vessel on scene to take the tow, the helm made the decision to assist the casualty vessel to the closest safe harbour at Dromineer.
An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and explained the plan before he prepared the cruiser for an astern tow.
At 5.18pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at Dromineer Harbour.
Commenting on the call-out, Jeremy Freeman, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: “We would remind boat users to ensure yout lines are all stowed carefully. 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.”
