Lough Derg RNLI assist adult and child on 32ft cruiser with engine failure
- Pat Nolan
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Sunday 5 April 2026
On Sunday 5 April, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist two people on a 32ft motor cruiser with engine failure at a location north of Illaunmor.
At 6:32pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteers Owen Cavanagh, Chris Parker, James Corballis and Doireann Kennedy on board. The wind was west south-west Force 2/3. Visibility was very good.
At 6:39pm, the lifeboat arrived on scene. As the casualty vessel had been drifting towards the rocky shallows a lakeboat nearby had towed the vessel into safe water, and waited alongside until the lifeboat arrived on scene.
An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found the two people on board to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Given the hour and the known hazards at the location, the helm made the decision to assist the vessel to the closest safe harbour in Dromineer. An RNLI volunteer remained on board the casualty vessel.
At 7:20pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 7:34pm.
Commenting on the callout, Tom Hayes, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘As the season begins we would remind boat users to ensure your engines are serviced and that you have enough fuel for your journey. If you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
