Lifeboat assists family after boat suffers engine failure

Lough Derg crew called to aid of cruiser adrift by Hare Island

The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat crew came to the rescue of a family on a cruiser which had suffered engine failure near Hare Island. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat crew came to the rescue of a family on a cruiser which had suffered engine failure near Hare Island. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times

A family on a cruise boat were rescued by a lifeboat crew after their vessel suffered engine failure on Lough Derg last night.

Valentia Coast Guard requested the Lough Derg RNLI crew’s assistance at about 7.15pm to assist the family of three on board the 36ft cruiser, which was adrift by Hare Island.

A spokeswoman said the lifeboat launched at 7.26pm and was alongside the cruiser at 7.33pm.

"The family were found to be safe and unharmed, but anxious. The skipper had dropped anchor, recognizing that they were drifting close to the rocky shallows," lifeboat spokeswoman and crew member Eleanor Hooker said.

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“With an RNLI crewmember on board, the boat was checked for any other potential problems. None were found. Once a tow was set up, they weighed anchor and the casualty vessel was taken under tow to Dromineer harbour, where at 8.15pm, the cruiser was tied safely alongside.”

Ms Hooker said Lough Derg RNLI helm Peter Clarke had reassured the family that they had made the correction decision to call for assistance and also to drop anchor.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 9pm.