Author: Eleanor Hooker, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

At 10.43hrs on Thursday January 19th, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard following a report from shore that a vessel was in diffuculty north of Ilaunmore.

The lifeboat with helm Peter Clarke, Eleanor Hooker and Ben Ronayne on board launched to assist. The wind was blowing West South West, Force 4 gusting 5, with very good visibility.

The only vessel in the vicinity of Ilaunmore was a large working vessel that had been tending the navigation buoys, and which was under way and making way northwards, when the lifeboat arrived on scene.

The lifeboat paced with the vessel and established that they had been anchored off Ilaunmore for two hours whilst working on the buoy and had not seen any other vessels in the area.

The lifeboat was stood down after makig their report to Valentia Coast Guard Radio Station. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 11.45hrs.