RNLI volunteer swims to the rescue of grounded yacht

A LOUGH Derg RNLI volunteer jumped into the lake from the lifeboat and swam out to help bring a yacht to safe water over the weekend.

The Lough Derg RNLI launched on Sunday to help two people ran aground in a yacht on the lake.

Fortunately the stricken vessel was spotted at Ryan’s Point shortly after the RNLI volunteers set out and those on board were found to be unharmed.

At 4.47pm on Sunday Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNL lifeboat to launch to assist two people on a 25ft yacht aground at Ryan’s Point on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

At 5.06pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Keith Brennan, Steve Smyth, Joe O’Donoghue and Richard Nolan on board.

At 5.14pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel in sight at Ryan’s Point, broadside to weather.

Taking a tow line with him, an RNLI volunteer swam back to the casualty vessel whilst the lifeboat stood by in safe water.

The people on board were found to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. They had been motoring-sailing when their engine failed.

The skipper had dropped anchor, but it dragged, and his yacht had drifted into the rocky shore. As the yacht was not hard aground, an RNLI volunteer was able to ease the vessel into safe water and to then receive a tow line from the lifeboat. 

At 5.40pm the lifeboat took the casualty under tow and at 6.59pm, as the lifeboat approached Dromineer Harbour, the lifeboat changed to an alongside tow.

At 7.12pm the casualty vessel was safely tied alongside in Dromineer Harbour. 

The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 7.20pm and at 7.40pm the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled. 

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users, “as the boating season starts in earnest, remember to have your engine serviced and if you are alone on the water, tell someone your plans and what time you expect to arrive at your destination.”