The RNLI is warning all skippers to study charts and stay within navigational channels after the cruiser grounded on rocks at Lough Derg in Ireland.

A warning is being issued to all pleasure craft users after a 40 foot cruiser ran aground at Lough Derg in Ireland.

Three members of Lough Derg RNLI’s volunteer crew were called out on 4 June to assist the vessel. It had grounded on rocks by Ryan’s Point, inside the Mountaineer navigation mark.

No-one was injured in the incident.

An RNLI volunteer boarded the vessel and reassured the passengers, asking them to put on their lifejackets.

The hull of the cruiser was intact, and the vessel’s ballast tanks were put on drain.

The crew carried out soundings to determine depths and dangers close to Ryan’s Point.

The lifeboat then attempted to take the vessel off the shelf from its stern and from the bow, but the boat was stuck fast.

It was decided to transfer the nine people from the cruiser to the lifeboat and take them ashore at Dromineer.

Arrangements were then made to refloat the cruiser.

On their return passage to Dromineer, the lifeboat had to advise the skipper of another vessel that his boat would run aground if he continued on his course. The vessel was not in the navigation channel.

The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat operations manager, Liam Maloney, had this advice for skippers.

“Stay within the navigation channels on the lake, and study your charts before setting out from port,” he advised.

“This fine weather is to stay with us a while longer, remember to respect the water and think safety when in or around water,” he concluded.