A FAMILY of three were found safe and unharmed after their boat got into difficulty on Scarriff Bay recently.

On Monday evening, August 23, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assess a cruiser reported aground by a concerned member of the public. The cruiser 36 foot motor cruiser was said to be in Scarriff Bay, north of the entrance to the Scarriff River.

At 6.51pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm crew Owen Cavanagh, crew Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Doireann Kennedy on board.

When the lifeboat arrived at the scene the cruiser was aground on a rocky shore, north of the entrance to the Scarriff River. The lifeboat stood off to inspect the aspect of the cruiser, which appeared to be pivoting on the edge of the shoal.

The lifeboat made a cautious approach to the casualty vessel and found there was a family of three on board, all safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. An RNLI crew member transferred across to the casualty vessel and established that the vessel was not holed. The crew took soundings around the casualty vessel, and given the isolated location, the helm decided
that the safest option was to set up an astern tow to take the vessel off the rocks and into safe water.

At 7.20pm the lifeboat had the vessel off the rocks and out into safe water, where drives and rudder were found to be in good working order. The RNLI volunteer was transferred back to the lifeboat, and the cruiser and her passengers continued their onward journey to Scarriff Harbour.

The lifeboat departed the scene at 7.48pm and was back at the station at 8.06pm.

Jeremy Freeman, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises water users to “keep a lookout and anticipate each navigation mark on your route and always carry a means of communication.”