The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was called out this morning to assist four people on a cruise boat that got into difficulty in severe weather.
The alarm was raised at around 11.20am when staff at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre on Valentia were alerted to the incident and requested the lifeboat to launch.
There were four people on board the 40ft cruiser when it got into trouble near Hare Island. The boat’s anchor came loose and was dragging beneath the vessel while the crew couldn’t retrieve it.
Conditions on the lake at the time were poor with a south-westerly, force 5 wind gusting force 7. Visibility however was reported to be good and the lifeboat located the casualty vessel quickly.
The RNLI lifeboat was alongside the cruiser but 11.52am and volunteers found those on board to be unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Several attempts to retrieve the anchor were unsuccessful so, because of the severe weather conditions and the exposed location of the vessel, it was decided the safest option was was to cut the anchor loose.
RNLI crew members inspected the cruiser for any other potential problems, and found everything to be in working order. The boat continued its journey to the public harbour at Dromineer, where it took shelter from the weather.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Liam Maloney warned: “Boat users are advised to check the weather before setting out from harbour and to ensure all items are stowed correctly.”