Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew respond to third call out in 24 hours
Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew were paged on Friday afternoon (26th September) at the request of Belfast Coastguard after a Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was activated close to Ardglass.
The inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V launched at 2.43pm. Conditions at the time were partially cloudy, a rough sea state with a moderate southerly breeze.
After launching, helm Paul Mageean and crew members Simon Rogers, Molly Crowe and Steven Lloyd used the lifeboat's equipment to follow the signal sent from the beacon which guided them to Ardglass where, with the help of the harbour master and Portaferry Coastguard team with a search of boats in both the marina and nearby boatyard, they located the beacon.
An assessment showed no people or vessel to be in distress and the faulty EPIRB was removed and handed over to Portaferry Coastguard team to be disabled and safely disposed of.
As well as Portaferry RNLI and Coastguard teams, a Coastguard helicopter and Newcastle Coastguard were also tasked but stood down.
Speaking after the call out, Portaferry RNLI volunteer helm, Paul Mageean said: 'An EPIRB is a fantastic piece of equipment to have on any boat. Once activated anywhere in the world it sends a continuous radio signal and is picked up by satellites which calculate its position and automatically alert the appropriate local emergency services. Once we get onboard the lifeboat we can then use our direction finding (DF) equipment to locate it.
'Friday's call out is a reminder to all boat owners who carry an EPIRB on their vessel to check the registration details are up to date and that everyone onboard know what to do in an emergency.
'While in Ardglass Marina we met the owner of the yacht that needed assistance on Thursday and were glad to hear that damage to the vessel was minimal.
'We urge anyone on or close to the water to take weather and tide times into account before venturing out. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity and always carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
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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