The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was called out to assist a family of four after their cruise boat ran aground on the lake this afternoon.
The alarm was raised at around 1.20pm and soon afterwards, the Dromineer based lifeboat was requested to launch by staff at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.
There were four people on the 34ft cruiser when it ran aground by the Scilly Islands. The lifeboat launched and reached the scene in under fifteen minutes.
The lifeboat located the vessel at the junction of Scarriff Bay and Parker’s Point shortly before 2.00pm and found the four people on board were safe and wearing their lifejackets.
An RNLI volunteer checked the boat to ensure it wasn’t damaged and once it was established the vessel was not holed, it was taken off the rocks and into deeper water where the drives and rudder were also checked and found to be undamaged.
The boat continued on its journey.
Lifeboat Deputy Launching Authority Peter Kennedy reminded boat users that they should also bring charts with them and know what areas close to shore and islands are un-navigable, particularly as water levels are low in the lake at the moment.
The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service again at 3pm.