The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was called out this afternoon to assist a lone sailor on a 35ft cruiser reported adrift on the lake,.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry received a reported that the cruiser had suffered fouled propellers in Dromineer Bay.
The lifeboat launched at 5.28pm and was alongside the casualty vessel at 5.42pm. The skipper was found to be safe and well and wearing a lifejacket. The skipper explained that as the wind had dropped they were unable to sail home, and a line overboard had fouled their propellers so they couldn’t motor back to harbour.
Given the location on the navigation channel, and the hour, the helm decided the safest course of action was to assist the casualty vessel back to the nearest safe harbour.
At 6.02pm the casualty vessel was secured alongside in Dromineer Harbour. The lifeboat departed the scene was back at Station at 6.10pm.
Peter Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “stow lines carefully and always make sure someone on the shore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time”.
