The Killarney Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Unit led a major rescue operation on Lough Leane on Sunday.

A large tour boat with upwards of 70 persons on board had gone aground in poor weather conditions close to Innisfallen Island.

“On the afternoon of Sunday, August 4, Killarney Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Unit received calls from Valentia Coastguard, Killarney Fire and Rescue and the Gardai regarding an emergency on Lough Leane,” explained Killarney Water Rescue chairman Kieran Caulfield

“At the time we were out on the Upper Lake on a training session. We immediately returned to Fivemile Bridge where we haunched [the training boat].

“We had to recover the boat and travel by road to Ross Castle due to the very low water levels meaning it was not possible to take the boat down Old Weir.

“While en route to Ross Castle we received word to stand down as the tour boat had managed to get off the rocks and return to Ross Castle where the passengers disembarked safely.”

“This was a significant event and could have become a very serious situation. The response involved emergency services from Fire, Gardai, Ambulance and Killarney Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Unit, as well as NPWS Park Rangers on the scene. It is worth noting the only service with Search, Rescue and Recovery capabilities on the water in the region is Killarney Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Unit.”