Enniskillen RNLI assisted 8 people during three call outs on Sunday
Enniskillen RNLI assisted eight people during three all outs on Sunday evening.
Winds were southerly, Force 1 and visibility was good.
The volunteer crew first launched its inshore lifeboat, the Ted Dawber, at the request of Belfast Coastguard at 3.45pm with reports that two people were onboard a boat which had encountered mechanical issues. The casualty vessel was located, and the two people onboard found to be safe and well. After an assessment of the situation, it was deemed, the safest course of action was to put a RNLI crew member onboard the casualty vessel to assist in a tow to Castle Archdale.
Later that evening, at 7.43pm, the Belfast Coastguard requested the assistance of the volunteer crew to assist five people onboard a boat which had sustained damage after hitting something in the water. The crew located the casualty vessel and found those onboard to be safe and well. Once the volunteer crew made an assessment, the helm decided the best option was to tow the casualty vessel to Muckross slipway.
Whilst returning from the previous call out, at 10.25pm, the crew received a call on the radio from Belfast Coastguard requesting further assistance. It was reported that a person on a jet ski in the Castle Archdale area hadn’t returned after 3 hours. A search along the Castle Archdale Caravan Park slipway around the shoreline and the islands in that area commenced. The crew requested assistance from Carrybridge RNLI and the Coastguard Helicopter 118 from Sligo. The person later arrived back at caravan park safe and well. Enniskillen RNLI and other agencies were asked to stand down at 11.55pm.
The volunteer crew then returned to the station where the lifeboat was left ready for service again.
Speaking following the weekend call outs, Andy Wilson and Paul Keown, Enniskillen RNLI Helms, thanked all those who assisted during the callouts, including Carrybridge RNLI, Lough Erne Coastguard, The Sligo Coastguard Helicopter and the PSNI: “We were pleased to be of assistance on a busy Bank Holiday weekend. As we come into 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. 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.’’
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