Tipperary RNLI is called out to assist two people on board yacht stuck on sandbank

Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist two people on a 29ft yacht that had grounded on a sandbank west of Ilaunhobert and Crane Island on the south-western shore of the lake on Sunday afternoon.

At 3.40pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Oisín Higgins on board. The wind was southerly Force 2, visibility was good. 

At 3.55pm, using coordinates supplied by Valentia Coast Guard, the lifeboat located the casualty vessel west of Ilaunhobert and Crane Island on the south-western shore of the lake.

Using onboard navigation tools and taking soundings, the lifeboat made a safe approach to the yacht.

An RNLI volunteer transferred across to the casualty vessel and found both people on board safe, unharmed and wearing their lifejackets, and the vessel undamaged.

The helm decided to take the casualty vessel off the sandbank and out into safe water.

Once in safe water, the skipper was asked to check that the vessel’s rudder and inboard engine were in good working order.

The RNLI volunteer transferred back to the lifeboat and the casualty made way under its own power to Dromineer.

Jeremy Freeman, deputy launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users "that warm weather is forecast to continue, so remember to take plenty of water for your journey and wear sunscreen to protect against the additional glare from the sun on water".