Lough Derg RNLI launched last night (Thursday 6 August) to the aid of four people on a 23ft cruiser aground on rocks in Scarriff Bay.

The lifeboat Jean Spier launched at 9.20pm, in fading light with a low mist and heavy rain squalls, to the scene behind Holy Island at the south-western end of the lough.

Valentia Coast Guard also requested the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 to assist.

As the lifeboat passed Holy Island, its crew spotted an SOS light signal from the shore, in an area known as the Black Rocks.

The lifeboat navigated with caution to the casualty vessel, which had dropped anchor nearby but the anchor dragged and saw the boat pushed into a dangerous and rocky area of shore.

The two adults and two teenagers on board were found safe and unharmed, and wearing their lifejackets.

An RNLI volunteer transferred to the casualty vessel and, after checking for damage, set up for a tow to bring the vessel off the rocks and back out to safe water.

The lifeboat then took the casualty vessel to Mountshannon Harbour, making slow progress in the poor weather with reduced visibility and eventually arriving just after 10.30pm.

With the harbour at capacity, the skipper of a moored vessel offered to have the casualty boat rafted next to theirs for the night.

Keith Brennan, trainee helm at Lough Derg RNLI, commended the quick actions of the skipper on the casualty vessel.

“He did everything correctly: deploying the anchor once his engine failed, calling for help and using light signals to indicate his position to the lifeboat.”

Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of six people on a 42ft motor cruiser that ran aground at the southern end of the Corakeen Islands, in Dromineer Bay yesterday afternoon. The wind was westerly, Force 3. Visibility was good to fair, with frequent heavy rain squalls.

At 3.20 pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, and crew members Ger Egan, Keith Brennan and Chris Parker on board.

Using navigation charts and taking depth soundings, the lifeboat made a careful approach to the cruiser and was alongside the casualty vessel at 3.30 pm.

The lifeboat volunteers found all on board the cruiser to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and once satisfied it was not holed, set up for a tow. At 3.40 pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel off the rocks and towed out into safe water.

Once in safe water, and after it was established that the drives and the propeller were in good working order, the tow was released. With an RNLI volunteer remaining on board, and the lifeboat standing by, the cruiser made way to Dromineer Harbour. As both vessels approached Dromineer Harbour, the lifeboat went ahead to drop off two crew so that they could receive lines from the cruiser as she came alongside. At 4.35 pm the cruiser was safely tied alongside in the public harbour at Dromineer.

At 3.40 pm Lough Derg RNLI departed the scene to return to base.

Liam Maloney, Lifeboat Operations Manager Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘enjoy Lough Derg, plan your passage, keep a lookout for your next marker and remember to stay within the navigation channels’.

Lough Derg RNLI assisted 2 people on a 21ft yacht aground by Jushing Rocks, west of the Scilly Islands on the Ogonoloe shore in County Clare.

Earlier this evening, Sunday, July 19, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of two people on a 21ft yacht that ran aground by Jushing Rocks, west of the Scilly Islands on the Ogonoloe shore, County Clare. At 7.50 pm the RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, and crew members Doireann Kennedy, Tom Hayes and Chris Parker on board. The wind was north-westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 8.02 pm. A passing yacht that had remained on scene in safe water, provided the lifeboat crew with details of the yacht in difficulty. The lifeboat used its navigation charts and took depth soundings as it neared the cruiser, and was alongside at 8.10 pm.

The lifeboat found both people to be safe and unharmed. An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and, once satisfied the boat was not holed, set up for a tow. At 8.18 pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel off the rocks and towed out into safe water.

The yacht’s engine was not working and as the casualty vessel’s home harbour was in Killaloe, following discussion with Valentia Coast Guard, Lough Derg RNLI passed the tow to the Killaloe Coast Guard unit who had arrived on scene.

At 8.37 pm Lough Derg RNLI departed the scene to return to base.

Owen Cavanagh, helm at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘enjoy Lough Derg, plan your passage, study your charts and stay within the navigation channels’.

The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 9 pm.

Lough Derg RNLI assists a family of four on a 32ft cruiser that ran aground by Parker’s Point, on the Tipperary shore.

At 5.35 pm today, Wednesday, July 1, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of four people on a 32ft cruiser that ran aground by Parker’s Point, on the Tipperary shore. At 5.53 pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, and crew members Keith Brennan, Joe O’Donoghue and Doireann Kennedy on board. The wind was north-easterly, Force 3. Visibility was good.

Initially, there was some uncertainty regarding the casualty vessel’s location. The first report was that it was aground off Cribby Island, near Mountshannon on the County Clare shore. However, as the lifeboat approached the search area, the crew spotted a boat fitting the description of the casualty vessel close to the Tipperary shore, off Parker’s Point.

As the approach to the casualty vessel was particularly rocky, the lifeboat crew used navigation charts and depth soundings as it neared the cruiser, and was alongside at 6.10 pm. The four people on board, two adults, an infant and a child, were all safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

An RNLI crew member was transferred to the casualty boat and once he was satisfied the boat was not holed, set up for a tow. The lifeboat towed the vessel from the stern as rocks off the bow were visible above water.

Once in safe water and with the assistance of the RNLI crew member on board, the skipper made sure all drives and the propeller were in good working order.

The lifeboat accompanied the cruiser to Garrykennedy, the safest, closest harbour, where, at 7 pm, an RNLI volunteer helped to secure the boat safely alongside the quay.

Jeremy Freeman, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat owners to ‘ensure you study your charts and remain within the navigation channels’.

The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service once more at 7.30 pm.

Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat assisted two people on a 21ft motorboat suffering engine failure in severe weather conditions.

At 5.02 pm today, June 20, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of two people on a 21ft motorboat that had suffered engine failure near the Corakeens Islands. At 5.15 pm the lifeboat launched with volunteer helm Owen Cavanagh, volunteer crew Keith Brennan, Jimmy Gund Kjell and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was southerly, Force 7 and gusting. Visibility was fair, with driving rain and frequent squalls.

A vessel in the vicinity had taken the motorboat under tow, but under the severe weather conditions, the vessel being towed was driven onto rocks by the entrance to Dromaan Harbour on the County Clare shore. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 5.20 pm. Once the RNLI volunteers established that the casualties were safe and unharmed, they took the motor vessel off the rocks and into Dromaan, the closest safe harbour, where it was tied alongside at 6.20 pm.

The two casualties, wearing face masks and gloves, were taken by the lifeboat back to Dromineer. The vessel that had provided assistance made its own way to the public harbour at Dromineer.

Owen Cavanagh, volunteer helm at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat owners to ‘ensure your engines are fully serviced and fuel is clean before returning to the water for the summer season’. He says ‘respect the water, and remember, always check the weather forecast before going afloat'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service once more at 6.54pm

The past weekend’s good weather tempted a group of jet-skiers who subsequently ran into difficulty in Clew Bay, as The Irish Times reports.

Achill Island RNLI launched its lifeboat on Saturday evening (25 April) to reports of three men on personal water craft needing assistance between Newport in Rosmoney — waters considered treacherous for even the most experienced of mariners.

All three were towed to Rosmoney with a locally owned RIB in an operation that also involed the Irish Coast Guard and An Garda Síochána.

Gardai also mounted further patrols of Lough Derg, where earlier this month they had exercised their emergency powers to warn inland waterways users to stay at home as measures to control coronavirus remain in place.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Gardaí exercised their emergency powers this past Thursday (9 April) on Lough Derg, warning cruisers, motor boats and anglers alike to stay at home, as the Clare Echo reports.

Terryglass Angling & Conservation Club informed its members on Thursday afternoon that the Garda was patrolling the lough with a fast RIB to enforce the Covid-19 restrictions “so no getting away”.

Under Operation Fanacht, which has been extended from this Easter weekend to Tuesday 5 May, gardaí have the power to detain anyone found in breach of movement measures — which include travel beyond a 2km radius of one’s home being restricted to essential reasons.

Grocery shopping is considered one such essential purpose. However, it is understood by the Clare Echo that gardaí were turning back traffic in the Shannon area and telling drivers there were options closer to home.

The Clare Echo has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that the Green E Buoy buoy at Goat Island on Lough Derg is off station, and to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the island.

Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to assist a family of three, two adults and a child, on a 21ft cruiser suffering engine failure near the County Clare shore today.

Weather conditions were calm with Force 2 winds and good visibility.

The lifeboat, with helm Dom Sharkey and crew Michael O'Sullivan and Tom Hayes on board, reached the casualty vessel at 12.10 pm. The skipper of the vessel had dropped anchor to prevent his boat drifting onto the rocky shore. Once the RNLI volunteers established that the people on board were safe and well and that the vessel had not suffered damage, they set up for a tow and took in the anchor.

At 12.30 pm the lifeboat had the cruiser, with her passengers and an RNLI crew member on board, under tow to Mountshannon Harbour.

After tying the cruiser safely alongside at Mountshannon Harbour, the lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 2.30 pm.

Dom Sharkey, volunteer helm at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘We advise people to ensure that their vessels are regularly serviced, and, in the event of difficulties, to always carry a means of communication.'

On Tuesday evening (30 July), Lough Derg RNLI launched to the aid of an 18ft boat with engine failure by Mountshannon Harbour on the Clare shore.

On arrival at the reported location, the volunteer lifeboat was directed by Valentia Coast Guard to new co-ordinates as the vessel had drifted two miles south and was anchored at Castlelough on the Tipperary shore.

Once alongside, the crew observed that the boat’s onboard motor had had a fire.

The crew advised the skipper to disconnect the motor’s battery and the fuel line to the engine, and to locate the fire extinguisher.

Once satisfied the engine posed no danger, the lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow to Mountshannon where it was tied alongside at 8pm.

The crew then administered minor first aid to the skipper who had a recent finger injury and had lost the dressing from his wound.

Speaking following the callout, volunteer crew member Ger Egan said: “We would remind all boat users of the importance of doing regular checks on their boat’s engine and make sure it is serviced regularly.

“As we continue to enjoy the summer, we would also like to remind all users of the lake to respect the water.

“Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication and let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are expected back.

“Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”