Busy holiday weekend as Carrybridge RNLI are tasked 4 times within 48 hours

Winds were South Westerly, Force 3. Visibility was good with clear skies.

Whilst the volunteer crew were preparing to launch the lifeboat Belfast Coastguard made further contact to advise that another passing cruiser had taken the casualty vessel under tow, and they did not require any further assistance. The lifeboat was then stood down and the crew made it ready for service again.

Later that same evening at 6.20pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 10.5 metre vessel with five people on board, which had drifted into an area of shallow waters and was unable to navigate back out again into deeper waters.

Weather conditions remained the same with South Westerly winds, Force 3. Visibility was good with clear skies.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat located the vessel floating close to the reed bank, as well as being very close to the main navigation channel. Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the five people on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets. The casualty vessel was checked, and all was found to be in a safe condition. The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s location, which was exposed to the prevailing weather conditions and also a possible navigational hazard for other cruisers who could attempt a rescue, a decision was made that the safest course of action was to carry out a tow and safely bring the vessel out into deeper water with the owner’s permission. Once completed the vessel was checked and found to be in fully working order and it was able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey.

The volunteer crew on the Lifeboat then returned to station where it was left ready for service again.

The following day Sunday 24 May at 5.14pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a 10.5 metre vessel with 3 adults and a child on board which had hit a submerged object in the main navigation channel approx. 1 mile North East of Knockninny, resulting in it drifting into an area of unmarked navigational waters.

Winds were South Westerly, Force 3. Visibility was good with clear skies.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel which had its anchor deployed to avoid further drifting. The crew onboard were safe and well and all wearing lifejackets. The casualty vessel was also checked by a volunteer lifeboat crew member who was transferred aboard, and all was found to be in a safe condition. The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and due to the vessels location in an area of unmarked navigational waters, which was exposed to the prevailing weather/wind conditions and also a possible navigational hazard for other cruisers attempting to rescue it, the decision was made that the safest course of action was to carry out a tow and safely bring the vessel out into deeper water with the owner’s permission. Once completed the vessel was checked and found to be in fully working order and it was able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey whilst the lifeboat returned to station again.

Later that same evening at 11.17pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, was further launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assist Enniskillen RNLI in a search for an overdue person on a jet ski in the vicinity of Castle Archdale Caravan Park on Lower Lough Erne. The volunteer lifeboat crew made their way to Enniskillen where they planned and commenced a search from the Killyhevlin Hotel public jetty proceeding through Enniskillen and searching all surrounding areas in the town, on the instructions of Belfast Coastguard. Whilst this search was taking place, the missing person returned home safe and well to Castle Archdale, and Carrybridge RNLI and all other agencies taking part in the search were asked to standdown at 11.55pm. In attendance were Enniskillen RNLI, Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 based in Sligo, Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team and the PSNI.

The volunteer crew on the Lifeboat then returned to station where it was left ready for service again.

Speaking following the call out, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Helm at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘This was a busy few days for the volunteer crew, whilst the lake became very busy with people making the most of the exceptional good weather which we encountered over the holiday weekend. Before setting out on your journey we would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel, make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble. If you see someone 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

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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 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.

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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 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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