On Sunday evening (6 September), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to assist three people on a 33ft cruiser that had suffered engine failure and run aground in Scarriff Bay near Mountshannon Harbour.
At 3.46pm, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Steve Smyth and crew Paraic Slattery, Tom Hayes and Chris Parker on board. The wind was south-westerly, Force 3 gusting Force 5 with heavy squalls. Visibility was mostly good, decreasing to moderate in rain and squalls.
The lifeboat volunteers arrived on scene just after 4pm. As the vessel was aground, the helm decided to anchor and veer back to the casualty vessel to recover all three people to the lifeboat.
It was established that all on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Once within the safest close distance of the casualty vessel, the RNLI crew heaved a line to the skipper, who was requested to secure it to a cleat on their vessel. The other end of the line was secured to the lifeboat. The helm then briefed the casualties on the transfer; they were to hold the line as a guide to walk to the lifeboat.
Once all three casualties were safely aboard the lifeboat, the helm made the decision to bring them to Dromineer, where support and cars were waiting for them.
Commenting on the call-out, Jeremy Freeman, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: “The casualties made the correct decision to request immediate assistance when they realised they needed help.
“Remember, the RNLI advises lake users to check local weather before setting out, carry a reliable means of communication like a VHF radio or waterproof mobile phone, and know how to ‘Float to Live’ if capsized or immersed in cold or deep water.”
