Lifeboat launched after 32ft cruiser hits rocks at entrance to harbour in Tipperary

A lifeboat was launched Wednesday evening after a 32ft cruiser hit rocks at the entrance to a harbour.

Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to help two people on the vessel which had gone aground at Terryglass Harbour at the northern end of Lough Derg in Co Tipperary.

The lifeboat arrived on the scene at 7.08pm and found the boat “stuck fast on the rocky shelf.”

An RNLI spokesperson said: “RNLI volunteers found both passengers on board to safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

“Two marine engineers from the cruise hire company arrived on scene with a tow vessel, but were also unable to get the vessel off the rocks.

Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist 2 people on a 32ft cruiser aground by the entrance to Terryglass Harbour (Lough Derg RNLI)

“The lifeboat took both passengers and their RNLI crew member onto the lifeboat and into Terryglass Harbour, where arrangements were made for both casualties to stay on shore overnight and their boat to be re-floated the following morning.”

The lifeboat departed the scene at 8.50pm and was back at station at 9.07pm.

Brendan O’Brien, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to ‘plan your passage, study your charts and identify the navigation marks for the harbour to which you are travelling.