In two back-to-back callouts on Easter Bank Holiday Monday (10 April), Lough Derg RNLI launched to search for a possible missing person and to assist a kayaker in difficulty in the water.
At 10.28am, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch following a report from a resident on Illaunmore that a speedboat was at an unsafe location north of the island and appeared not to have anyone on board.
Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was launched 11 minutes later with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Chris Parker and Richard Nolan on board. Winds were west-southwest Force 3, gusting Force 6 with frequent heavy rain showers, but good visibility.
At 10.55am the RNLI lifeboat crew could see the casualty vessel at the location reported north of Illaunmore. They navigated the lifeboat through safe water to the casualty vessel, which was close to shore.
A lifeboat crew member waded in to the vessel and found it to be at anchor astern, with a line from its bow to a tree on the shore. As the vessel had been made secure, the RNLI volunteer checked through the cabin windows and was satisfied there was no one on board.
The lifeboat crew reported their findings to Valentia Coast Guard, who then stood them down.
Less than an hour later, they were called again — this time to assist a kayaker reported to be in difficulty in the water in Dromineer Bay, close to St David’s.
At 11.54am, Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy and Chris Parker on board. Conditions were similar to those of earlier in the morning, with strong westerly winds and frequent squalls.
En route, two kayakers informed the RNLI crew that they were a party of four and that their companion was in the water to the right of St David’s. A third kayaker paddling to safety pointed towards the location of the kayaker in the water. The RNLI volunteers quickly located this individual, whose profile was low in the water.
Moments later the lifeboat was alongside the casualty, who had managed to get up on and lie lengthways on their upturned kayak. The casualty was taken onto the lifeboat along with the kayak and paddle. The kayaker was feeling cold but was not exhibiting signs of hypothermia.
While taking the casualty to safety, the lifeboat met the other three kayakers rowing a sheltered route in the lee of Goose Island. The lifeboat remained with them until they reached safe harbour.
Once delivered safely back on land, the RNLI volunteers advised all four kayakers to change immediately into dry clothing and to have a warm drink.
Aoife Kennedy, deputy launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI said the earlier callout was a “false alarm but with good intent”. She thanked the public for their vigilance, and advises all lake users to “check the weather before going afloat and to remember that the water is still cold at this time of year so do dress appropriately for your activity”.
