The volunteer crew of the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat has assisted three people after their lake boat suffered engine failure this afternoon.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry mounted the rescue operation shortly after 4.00pm today.
The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch to assist the three occupants of the18ft vessel which was located south of Kilgarvan.
The lifeboat launched on good conditions with dusk and imminent nightfall.
At 4:34pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel south of Kilgarvan. Navigating a safe route to come alongside the lake boat, lifeboat volunteers established that the three people on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.
Given the remote location, nightfall, and the bitterly cold evening, the helm made the decision to take the vessel under tow to the safety of Kilgarvan Harbour.
At 5:05pm, the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside Kilgarvan Quay. The lifeboat departed the scene at 5:15pm for the fifteen minute journey back to base at Dromineer.
Commenting on the callout, Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat owners to ‘maintain well serviced engines and remember to carry an alternative means of propulsion.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip on the lake that if you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard,” he added.
