A family of seven had to be rescued on Monday after their cruise boat got into difficulty on Lough Derg.
The two adults and five children had set out from Garrykennedy on their hired 40ft cruiser when their anchor fell overboard at around 11.40am.
While the anchor did not catch on the lake bed, it created a drag effect and slowed the cruiser’s progress.
The vessel was also ‘side on’ to the weather in the middle of the navigation channel and was ‘rolling’ creating uncomfortable conditions for those on board.
The skipper attempted tor retrieve the anchor without success and, concerned for his family’s safety, eventually raised the alarm by flying a distress flag.
Staff at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island issued a radio message to any vessels on Lough Derg, particularly and in the area of Garrykennedy, to assist or report on the situation.
Volunteer members of the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat were alerted and requested to launch and assist the troubled vessel.
The crew of a passing yacht spotted the signal and went to the cruiser’s assistance providing an update on the situation via radio to the coordination centre.
The yacht skipper advised the occupants of the troubled cruiser to turn their vessel into the weather which they managed to do.
Conditions of the lake were said to be ‘rough’ with a force 4 wind and choppy water while those on board, who are understood to have had little boating experience, were said to have been very ‘anxious’ and worried for their safely.
Once the cruiser was located, an RNLI volunteer was transferred to the vessel and helped the skipper haul in the anchor.
The crew member remained on board with the family and, accompanied by the lifeboat, made their way to Garrykennedy where they tied up safely alongside.
Lough Derg lifeboat operations manager Liam Maloney said: “If you get in difficulty on the lake you should remain calm and dial 999/112 and ask for marine rescue or use your VHF radio to raise the alarm.”
“If your vessel is not sinking it’s important to stay on board until help arrives and not to attempt to swim ashore,” Mr Maloney advised.