#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to assist six people after their 38ft motor boat suffered steering failure in Dromineer Bay.

At 14.50hrs on Friday afternoon, July 12, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist six people, four adults and two young children, after they reported that their 38ft motor boat had lost steering.

The lifeboat launched with Helm Eleanor Hooker, David Moore and Jason Freeman on board. Winds were west south-west, Force 2/3. Temperature was 30*C. The lifeboat came alongside at 15.15hrs, all onboard was safe and unharmed. A RNLI volunteer was transferred to the boat and requested everyone to put on a lifejacket. The helm of the casualty vessel had very sensibly dropped anchor to prevent their boat drifting on to the rocks by Urra Point.

As only one person onboard was able to communicate in English, an RNLI crew member explained fully what the lifeboat proposed to do, and he then relayed that to the rest of his group. The lifeboat set up tow, weighed anchor on the casualty vessel, and then, with an RNLI crew member still on board, towed her and her passengers to the public harbour in Dromineer.

Lough Derg RNLI helm Eleanor Hooker advises boat users to 'not to delay, to call for help as soon as they are in difficulties, by calling 999 or 112 and asking for Marine Rescue'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 16.00hrs.

#Diving - An Irishman who set a world record for long-distance SCUBA diving is preparing to double that incredible feat.

Christopher Healy set the Guinness World Record for the fastest SCUBA dive over a distance of 10km in October 2011 in an effort to raise funds for the Share a Dream Foundation, which raised the spirits of his son Stephen when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

The experienced diving instructor - who runs the Atlantic Diving School in Co Clare - followed a long line of Irish divers such as Declan Devine, Sean McGahern and Paul Devane who've either smashed or attempted to smash records in the field.

And Healy has since written a book, The 10K Record, about the highs and lows of his journey to breaking the record.

But this weekend he aims to double that effort - and raise more funds for Share a Dream and Temple Street Children's Hospital - by SCUBA diving an unbroken 20km route in Lough Derg.

Staring at Mountshannon Harbour at 3am this Sunday 7 July, Healy will travel underwater towards Scariff and back via Scilly Island to Killaloe, aiming to arrive around 3pm.

He will be accompanied along the way by a small flotilla of support boats to replace his air supply and record his journey for verification.

For more about Healy's 20km diving challenge and how you can donate, visit the Facebook page HERE.

#rnli – Following a major search and rescue operation on Lough Derg last night for 18 rowing boats the lifeboat (RNLI) at Dromineer was launched again this morning in a separate response to assist young canoeists in difficulty in heavy weather at Whitegate at the southern end of Lough Derg.

Lifeboat crew with Lough Derg RNLI launched this morning (Saturday June 22) after a request by Valentia Coast Guard to assist an unknown number of canoeists in difficulty in heavy weather at Whitegate, north of Killaloe.

The lifeboat crew was stood down after Valentia Coast Guard received information that all canoe had safely reached the Clare shore at Two Mile Gate. 

At 11.19hrs on Saturday June 22 Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to search for young canoeists (numbers unknown) in difficulty and unable to get to shore in gale force winds at Whitegate, north of Killaloe, on lough Derg.

The lifeboat launched at 11.30hrs with Helm Eleanor Hooker, Tom Dunne and Dom Sharkey on board. Winds were westerly, Force 6/7, gusting 8, with very poor visibility with rain and low cloud.

The lifeboat was stood down almost immediately by Valentia Coast Guard, when reports came through that the canoeists had safely landed on the Clare shore at Two Mile Gate.

Volunteer Lifeboat Helm said 'it is crucial to assess the weather conditions before going afloat and to be aware of the forecast, and to let people know when you are launching and when you will arrive at your destination'.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 11.45hrs

#lifeboat – Lifeboat crew with Lough Derg RNLI launched this evening after eighteen rowing boats got into difficulty at Parker's Point. The rowers, who had set out from Terryglass, at the northern end of the lake, at 2pm, were en route to Killaloe when the weather deteriorated.

One rowing boat with five crew onboard remained unaccounted for and a major search and rescue operation was launched.

The lifeboat crew were stood down after the boat was found on Crow Island, and contact was made with the missing five rowers who had reached safety.

At 18.10hrs on Friday June 21 Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to search for five people reported unaccounted for, after an international flotilla of eighteen rowing boats, many with a crew of five, got into difficulties in worsening weather near Parkers Point, at the southern end of Lough Derg.

The lifeboat launched at 18.20hrs with Helm Peter Clarke, Ger Egan and David Moore on board. Winds were westerly, Force 4, gusting 5, with poor visibility with rain and low cloud.

The lifeboat crew began search patterns alongside the Shannon based Coast Guard Helicopter, Killaloe Coast Guard, Limerick Rescue and Mount Shannon rescue and with three local boats. Lifeboat Medical Advisor Peter Hooker and RNLI crew member Dom Sharkey launched in another vessel to help with the search. It was known that of the five crew on the missing vessel, only the coxswain was wearing a lifejacket.

Information was hard to verify as rescuers worked to search the area. As boats were located, their crews were confirmed safe. It transpired that four boats had decided not to continue the journey and had returned to Terryglass, soon after they had set out earlier in the day.

At 21.40hrs, the remaining boat outstanding was eventually located, safely recovered on Crow's Island, north of Killaloe, however there was no sign of the missing crew. Shortly afterwards Gardai confirmed that the five rowers had made it to safety, and the search operation was stood down.

Commenting on the callout Eleanor Hooker Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said, "This was an extremely challenging callout for all the search and rescue crews. With so many people to account for and so many vessels on the water it was quite a job to establish who was missing. The weather worsened on the lake quite rapidly, and the rowers rushed to get themselves to safety. In this instance the lifeboat crew joined with other agencies and local boats in a five hour search to locate the missing vessel. We are extremely relieved that there were no serious injuries."

Helm Peter Clarke advises boat users 'to check the weather forecast before setting out, to let others know where you are going and when you anticipate arriving, to always wear a lifejacket and to carry some means of communication in case of difficulties'.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 23.15hrs

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched twice at the weekend to assist two separate cruisers that had run aground.

The lifeboat launched earlier today to assist five people in difficulty after their 43ft cruiser grounded on rocks inside The Goat Road, midway down the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

On Saturday night, May 25, the Lifeboat was requested to assist 6 people when their 33ft grounded on rocks close to Terryglass, at the northern end of Lough Derg.

At 14.20hrs on Sunday afternoon, May 26, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist five people, after their 43ft cruiser grounded on rocks inside The Goat Road, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

The lifeboat launched at 14.30hrs with Helm Gerry O'Neill, Robbie Garland and Tom Dunne on board.  Winds were south westerly, Force 4. The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel at 15.00hrs.  An RNLI crew member was transferred to their boat; he found all five people to be safe and unharmed and asked them to put on their lifejackets.   After it was established that the vessel was not holed, the RNLI crew set up for a tow, and the lifeboat took them off the rocks and out into safe water.  Once in safe water and all controls were confirmed in working order, the cruiser made way, in company with a lake cruiser, under it's own power to it's next destination.  The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 16.15hrs.

Lough Derg RNLI Helm Gerry O'Neill advises boat users to 'be attentive to the navigation marks when fishing from a cruiser, as, with wind shifts, it is easy to drift inside the mark and into shallow water.'  Lough Derg RNLI crew member Robbie Garland advises water users to 'always wear their lifejacket'.

On Saturday night the Lifeboat was requested to assist 6 people when their 33ft grounded on rocks close to Terryglass, at the northern end of Lough Derg.

At 20.55hrs on Saturday night, May 25, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested  by Valentia Coast Guard, to go to the assistance of six people on board a 33ft cruiser, aground close to Terryglass at the northern end of Lough Derg.  There was a light southerly breeze, with good visibilty.

When the call was received the lifeboat was already afloat on exercise with Helm Lian Knight, Tom Dunne and Jason Freeman on board.  At 21.17hrs the lifeboat arrived on scene.  An RNLI crew member boarded the cruiser and after reassuring the six people on board, checked the vessel for damage.  Once satisfied that the boat was not holed, the lifeboat took the cruiser off the rocks and out into deep water.  The cruiser proceeded under her own power to Terryglass Harbour.

The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 22.30hrs

Waterways Ireland has been advised that protected White-tailed Eagles are present and breeding on Bushy Island, Lough Derg at Mountshannon, a popular boating spot.

To protect and minimise disturbance to nesting White-tailed Eagles in the area, masters of vessels are requested to observe a voluntary exclusion zone by not encroaching within 250m of the island and to proceed directly in and out of Mounsthannon harbour without stopping near the island, particularly between the months of May and August inclusive.

Masters should note that deliberate disturbance to nesting birds is illegal under the Wildlife Act (1976).

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has successfully prosecuted two men for taking more than the legal amount of coarse fish on Lough Derg.

Roman and Vytas Maslauskas, brothers originally from Lithuania but living in Ireland for the last eight years, appeared before Killaloe District Court where they were fined €500 each and were also disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of six months. Both men have two weeks within which to lodge an appeal.

Last year IFI fisheries officers carried out a surveillance operation on the basis of reports received from both the public and local anglers on Lough Derg. The Maslauskas brothers, who were fishing mainly for perch from a boat, were doing so in manner that did not appear to be for recreational purposes. The anglers were capturing large numbers of fish using rod and line but had the aid of a fish finder on board the boat also.

The two men were apprehended at the lower end of the lake at the slipway in Ballina. Their boat and a large quantity of fishing equipment were seized during the capture. Some 32 perch were also seized, of which eight were over the 25cm size limit for coarse fish. Two vans were used in the operation for transporting the fish and equipment.

In his comments at the end of the case, Judge John Durkan said: “Our inland waters are of the most valuable in Europe and need to be well protected”.

He added that those who abuse them must face serious consequences.

“Protecting our fisheries is never an easy task,” said Minister Fergus O’Dowd, minister with responsibility for inland fisheries, at the outcome of the prosecution. “I commend the work of the Inland Fisheries Ireland staff, the Gardaí and of course the anglers and members of the public who made this prosecution possible.

“Working together you have helped the environment and the potential of Lough Derg to generate a better return economically and socially to the local community.”

IFI describes Lough Derg as “a mixed fishery which holds good stocks of coarse, pike and trout” and “a valuable natural asset to the local economy as it attracts both national and international anglers and visitors”.

IFI Limerick director Amanda Mooney commented that the ruling “sends out a strong message that our wild fish populations must be protected. IFI have invested in multi-lingual angling guides which detail and explain coarse fish by-laws. There is no longer an excuse of not knowing what rules apply.”

#RNLI - Lough Derg RNLI in Tipperary had a celebration for Nick Theato earlier this month as he handed over the role of treasurer to Caleb Clarke.

On Thursday 14 April, Theato brought his wife Mary and three of his five children - Barry (home from Australia), Anne and Paul (home from the UK) - down to the station to meet crew and members of the operations and fundraising committees.

Nick Theato, who has served as honorary treasurer for the Nenagh RNLI Fundraising Branch for the past 15 years and for the Lough Derg RNLI since it came on service 10 years ago, is handing over treasurer duties to the capable care of Caleb Clarke, but is remaining on the fundraising committee.

Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat operations manager Pat Garland introduced everyone and Niamh McCutcheon, chair of the Nenagh RNLI Fundraising Branch, presented Theato with a certificate of thanks on behalf of the RNLI. Previously in 2010 he received a silver medal for voluntary service to the RNLI.

Theato’s good friend Pat Kelly - fellow sailor, lifeboat administrative officer for Lough Derg RNLI and secretary to the Nenagh Fundraising Committee - said that "after Mary and his children, Nick’s great love is his boat Bo-Bo".

On behalf of Lough Derg RNLI, Kelly presented Theato with a picture of Bo-Bo by artist Clare Hartigan. Nick Theato served in the Royal Navy for many years, and following his retirement back to Ireland, sailed on Lough Derg for many more.

He shared a story of his early years in the navy and of an incident at the outset of his career, which secured his respect for the water ever since. He spoke of his love of Lough Derg and its beauty, but added that he was "well aware of its dangers, even for a lifeboat".

#RNLI - Lough Derg RNLI launched twice yesterday (21 April) on consecutive callouts to a vessel grounded at the Corrakeen Islands and a sinking cruiser at the northern end of the lake.

Around 3.45pm yesterday, Valentia Coast Guard requested the launch of the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to assist three people on board their 20ft cruiser after their engine failed and were pushed on to rocks by the Corrakeen Islands in Dromineer Bay.

Helm Eleanor Hooker with Ger Egan and Tom Dunne set out in winds blowing south westerly, force 3 and gusting 5, and the lifeboat was alongside within half an hour of launch.

The two adults and a young child on board were unharmed but extremely anxious. They had dropped anchor to prevent further grounding and breakage.

An RNLI crew member was transferred to their boat to assess for damage and, very quickly - once it was established that the vessel was not holed - set up for a tow, weighed anchor and the lifeboat took them off the rocks and out into safe water.

The lifeboat then towed the boat with her crew (and the RNLI volunteer still on board) to Dromineer Harbour, where RNLI shore crew were waiting to take lines and help.

Lough Derg RNLI crew member Ger Egan advised that said anyone taking their boat afloat after the long winter should "make sure that their engines are fully serviced and make sure to use new fresh fuel".

Later that afternoon the lifeboat launched again to assist two people who had taken to their liferaft as their cruiser was sinking.

The exact location of the 28f cruiser was not certain, but once the lifeboat crew were informed that the cruiser had set out from Terryglass at the northern end of the lake, an half hour earlier they were able to accurately estimate the liferaft’s current location.

At 5.50pm the lifeboat launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Peter Clake and David Moore on board. Winds were south westerly, force 4, gusting 6.

The lifeboat located the cruiser and the liferaft north of Coolbawn, south of Gortmore, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg, and was alongside by 6.15pm, The two people on board were unharmed, but the skipper was greatly distressed.

He had inadvertently veered off course and had glanced off a rock and holed his boat. A passing 18ft speedboat with two people on board also came alongside and gave assistance.

Two lifeboat crew members helped the people from the liferaft and onto the speedboat, which had a canopy and offered shelter from the wind. They gathered the liferaft and its contents into the cruiser cabin and, as the cruiser was rapidly taking water, they weighed anchor so that the lifeboat could beach the vessel and reduce risk of further damage.

Once beached, the lifeboat crew dropped anchor once more, and especially as the winds were forecast to get up in the night. There was no evidence of fuel leakage and arrangements were made for the vessel to assessed and recovered this morning.

The lifeboat and the speedboat, with the two casualties on board and under cover, then made way to Garrykennedy where friends were waiting to look after them.

Eleanor Hooker thanked Cillian Boyle, the helm of the speedboat, for his kind assistance and commended her crew for their "kind consideration of the casualties and their calm professionalism in dealing with the fraught situation".

#lifeboat – At 17.40hrs this evening Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg Lifeboat to launch to assist three people on board their 18ft speedboat, after they lost steerage and were pushed on to rocks by the entrance to the Scarriff River in Scarriff Bay, at the south western end of Lough Derg.

The lifeboat launched at 17.50hrs with Helm Ger Egan, David Moore and Tom Dunne on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 6, gusting 7. The lifeboat was alongside at 18.13hrs. The three people on board were calm, safe and unharmed. An RNLI crew member was transferred to their boat to assess for damage. When it was established that the vessel was not holed, it was taken off the rocks and towed out into safe water. The lifeboat then towed the boat with her crew, and an RNLI volunteer still on board, back up the Scarriff River to her berth.

Lough Derg RNLI Helm Ger Egan, said that before going afloat at the beginning of the season, boat users should 'check that their boat is in full working order and also consider the weather forecast'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 19.10hrs.