The Lough Derg RNLI came to the aid of three people on a cruiser run aground on the rocks in the north west of the lake over the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon the Coast Guard called for the lifeboat to assist a 34ft cruiser reported aground in Cloondavaun Bay on the north-western County Clare shore of Lough Derg.
At 12.07pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, crew Chris Parker, Joe O’Donoghue and OisÃn Higgins on board. Winds were north-easterly Force 3, visibility was good.
At 12.32pm the lifeboat located the strick vessel and navigating around the shoals, made a cautious approach.
Once alongside, an RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and established that all three people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
The RNLI volunteer checked the vessel and reported that the vessel was not holed.
The cruiser company arrived on scene and advised the lifeboat crew that they would take the boat off the shoal.
The lifeboat told Valentia Coast Guard of this decision and stood off until the casualty vessel was off the rocks and back in safe water. At 1.09pm the lifeboat was then stood down and at 1.36pm was back at Station
Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “plot your course and always stay on the navigation route. Ask locals for advice on any known hazards before setting out”.
