Six rescued from cruiser stranded in Lough Derg
SIX people have been evacuated from a cruise boat after they ran aground on Lough Derg.
The 38ft vessel became stuck at The Goat Road on the eastern shore of the Shannon lake on Friday evening.
The Irish Coast Guard found all six passengers safe and unharmed and they were told to don lifejackets as the crew tried to shift the vessel off the rocks.
But after two hours and with light fading, the crew decided to take the passengers across the lake to the closest harbour at Rossmore, while a marine engineers took charge of the cruiser.
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Liam Maloney said: “We would advise all boat users to bring up-to-date charts of the lake and to plan their passage before leaving harbour. It’s also important not to stray off the navigation route”.
A cruise boat spent 13 hours aground on Lough Derg last Monday because the sole occupant didn’t want to inconvenience anyone by calling for help.
The lifeboat was called out after a passing cruiser saw the boat on the rocks near Hare Island.
Volunteers found a man sleeping below who said he didn’t want to “put anyone out” by calling 999.