Lough Derg RNLI - White Flare exercise

As the white flares, due to expire in a month’s time, have been replaced with new flares, volunteers at Lough Derg RNLI availed of the opportunity to carry out an exercise with the time expired flares.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI informed Lisa Hollingum, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, Valentia Coast Guard and the Gardaí of the exercise, detailing the date and time.

The volunteer crew scheduled to exercise that evening met at the station at 9.30pm for a classroom session and a full brief.

Volunteers afloat crew for the exercise were: Eleanor Hooker, Helm; Tom Hayes, Crew; Paraic Slattery; Crew, Deirdre Gleeson, Crew and Jeremy Freeman, Launching Authority on duty. They were joined by Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager; Aoife Kennedy, Launching Authority & Station Administrator; Doireann Kennedy, Crew and Peter Kennedy, Launching Authority and Tractor Launcher Mechanic.

Eleanor led a classroom session on pyrotechnics and gave a thorough brief prior to launch.

The lifeboat launched at 10pm. Once afloat, the helm immediately noted that the wind had backed from north-easterly to westerly. The wind shift necessitated finding a new location to use the white flares that offered more that ½ mile to shore of clear water round the lifeboat. There were no low flying aircraft or any vessels in the vicinity of the exercise.

Immediately prior to discharge of the flares Valentia Coast Guard were informed and were given the lifeboat’s latitude and longitude.

Following the discharge of 3 white flares, the lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard that the exercise was concluded. The lifeboat returned to station and had a debrief on the exercise.

Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI says 'we would always urge people to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard if they see a flare or any distress signal on the lake.'

Ends

Notes to editors

• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.