Courtown RNLI launched twice in the one day to people in inflatables.
Courtown RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked twice in the same day to people who got into difficulties on inflatables following 112 /999 calls to the Coast Guard.
A concerned member of the public spotted two people who appeared to be in difficulty off Morriscastle beach and called 112/999 to alert the Coast Guard.
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, with a volunteer crew launched at 3.54pm in calm conditions but were stood down while on route, as the people had managed to safely return to shore on their own.
Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Helm Robert Ierton said ‘The people who alerted the Coast Guard did the right thing. Always call 112/999 as soon as possible and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble. While we weren't needed this time, the next time it could make all the difference.’
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat returned to station at 4.34pm where the volunteer crew washed the lifeboat down ready for the next rescue.
Later the same day as the Courtown RNLI Lifeboat crew were preparing for a training exercise, a member of the public spotted an inflatable with two people on board who appeared to be in difficulty off Courtown beach.
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, launched at 7.10pm and was quickly on scene where they escorted the two tourists and the inflatable to shore and returned to the harbour at 7.30pm.
Courtown RNLI Lifeboat helm Brian McEvoy said ‘You have to be very careful with inflatables in offshore winds, you can be blown out to sea much more quickly than you think. Always call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble. Getting to someone in difficulties quickly makes all the difference.’
The volunteer crew washed the lifeboat down again and prepared her for the next rescue.
Notes to editors
Attached images show volunteer Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat FRANK taken by John Timmons from Courtown RNLI.
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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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