The Irish Coast Guard and Rescue Helicopter were launched late last night with gardai after it was reported that three people and a dog were missing on Lough Derg.
The call came in at around 11:45 pm on Sunday night, July 10, when Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to search for three people and a dog reported missing on Lough Derg.
In a statement, rescuers said: “They were reported to be in a white speed boat. The wind was southerly Force 2/3 It was night but with a full moon and a starlit sky.”
At midnight the RNLI lifeboat, Jean Spier, launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Keith Brennan and Owen Cavanagh on board.
The statement continued: “Given the serious nature of the callout, the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team, Rescue 115, was tasked from their base at Shannon Airport.
“Galway-based Gardaí also responded to the emergency and were at Portumna Harbour, having been informed that this was the intended destination for the missing people.”
As the lifeboat was taking off, Valentia Coast Guard requested it go directly to Portumna Castle Harbour at the very northern end of the lake, where Gardaí had been told that there may be a speedboat adrift west of the bay.
“Using onboard electronic navigation, RADAR, searchlights and local knowledge the lifeboat made way directly to Portumna Castle Harbour.”
At 12.26 am as the lifeboat approached Terryglass Bay, where Valentia Coast Guard gave the RNLI volunteers a specific location to search.
“Very quickly the lifeboat volunteers located three people and a dog on board a 12ft speedboat. All three people and their dog were safe and unharmed.
“They said that having become disorientated and lost, they found themselves in the reeds out of sight of the harbour and out of fuel.
“To ensure the lifeboat was attending the same people reported missing, Valentia Coast Guard requested the lifeboat let them know the name of the skipper at the scene.”
The lifeboat then took the speedboat on an alongside tow to Portumna Castle Harbour, where the casualties were met by Gardaí who checked that they were not in need of further assistance.
After this, rescue 115 was stood down earlier by Valentia Coast Guard, and at 00.50 am the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 01.12 am.
Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, has since advised boat users ‘to plan your passage so that you reach safe harbour before nightfall. Carry a means of communication and let others know when you expect to arrive at your destination. Carry sufficient lifejackets and ensure all on board are wearing theirs.’
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