Lough Ree lifeboat completes 20th rescue mission

The RNLI Lough Ree Lifeboat service reached a milestone last weekend when it completed its 20th rescue mission. 

The service, which began operating on July 1 last year, came to the aid of a 30 to 35-foot hire cruiser which ran aground off Kid Island, to the north of the lake, at lunch time on Sunday.

The lifeboat was launched at approximately 1.20pm and it found five people on board the cruiser, all of whom were safe and well. 

The lifeboat service stayed at the scene until the hire company arrived to refloat the vessel.

The service is staffed by a team of volunteers from the Athlone area and operates from a station at Coosan Point.