Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist lone sailor on cruiser with fouled propellers in Tipperary

Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Jean Spier to assist a lone sailor on a 35 feet cruiser with fouled propellers and adrift in Dromineer Bay on Easter Saturday.

The lifeboat, with helm Owen Cavanagh and crew Doireann Kennedy, Tom Hayes and Ania Skrzypczynska-Tucker on board, launched at 5.28pm. Winds were with south-easterly, Force 3 with good visibility.  

At 5.42pm the lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel. The skipper was safe and well and wearing a lifejacket. The skipper explained that as the wind had dropped they were unable to sail home, and a line overboard had fouled their propellers so they couldn’t motor back to harbour.

Given the location on the navigation channel, and the hour, the helm decided the safest course of action was to assist the casualty vessel back to the nearest safe harbour.

At 6.02pm the casualty vessel was secured alongside in Dromineer Harbour. The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 6.10pm.

Peter Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “stow lines carefully and always make sure someone on the shore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time”.