Carrybridge RNLI assist 5 people in separate rescues over a 24 hour period

Winds were North Westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good with part cloudy skies.

The volunteer crew located and came alongside the casualty vessel and assessed the three people on board who were safe and well and wearing lifejackets. After checking the vessel, it was found that the engine had stopped and could not be restarted. As the boat was in the navigation channel the helm deemed the safest option to take was to tow the vessel. With the owner’s permission, the boat was towed to Lisnaskea Boat Club to meet with Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team.

At 3.30pm on Saturday 2 August the lifeboat was tasked again by Belfast Coastguard and the weather remained the same as the previous day.

This time the boat was asked to assess a 10 metre twin engine craft with three crew which had lost steering and also engine power on one engine. They had broken down 1 mile downstream of Carrybridge. The crew located the casualties who were safe and well and wearing lifejackets. When the lifeboat crew arrived on scene the casualty had got into difficulties in a narrow part of the channel with a lot of other water users in the area.

The quickest and safest course of action open to the helm was, with the owner’s permission, to setup a tow and take the vessel into safer water. The vessel was towed back to the owners private mooring at Carrybridge. Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team were again able to meet the lifeboat and casualty vessel and helped secure it to the jetty and assist the people further.

Speaking following the call out, Stephen Scott, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘During the busy summer season when more people are making the most of our waterways we would ask all water users to carry out regular maintenance to their vessels and have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble as well as having lifejackets for all on board. Currently there is a lot of weed growth on Upper Lough Erne and it is worth watching for areas of heavier growth you would want to avoid.

If you see someone or something in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is: 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’’

Ends

Notes to editors

· Carrybridge Lifeboat Station was started in 2002 on Upper Lough Erne. It currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, or email [email protected] or Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547 or email  [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected] or Treasa Ni Bhraonain, RNLI Communications Placement on 00353 874764436 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has lifeguard beaches along the Causeway Coast and in county Down which it operates seasonally. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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