Lough Derg RNLI assists 3 people on 18ft lake boat with engine failure

Sunday 28 December 2025

On Sunday afternoon (28 December), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat launch to assist 3 people on an 18ft lake boat with engine failure, at a location south of Kilgarvan.

Lough Derg RNLI Inshore lifeboat. Photo Credit: RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

At 4:21pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, navigator James Corballis, and crew Paraic Slattery on board. The lake was calm, visibility was fair, with dusk and imminent nightfall.

At 4:34pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel south of Kilgarvan. Navigating a safe route to come alongside the lake boat, lifeboat volunteers established that the three people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

Given the remote location, nightfall, and the bitterly cold evening, the helm made the decision to take the vessel under tow to the safety of Kilgarvan Harbour.

At 5:05pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside Kilgarvan Quay. The lifeboat departed the scene at 5:15pm and was back at Station at 5:30pm.

Commenting on the callout, Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat owners to ‘maintain well serviced engines and remember to carry an alternative means of propulsion. We would remind anyone planning a trip on the lake that 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.’