Carrybridge RNLI attend three incidents involving nine people
Carrybridge RNLI attended three different incidents, one involving a fire, on Upper Lough Erne, County Fermanagh on Saturday (11 June).
The charity's inshore lifeboat and Rescue Wafer Craft were initially tasked to a burning vessel at 6.08pm, two miles north of Belturbet. The four that were onboard were safely removed from the boat by a passing vessel and brought to the shore. The 25-foot Bayliner burnt itself out and sank into shallow waters close to the shoreline. Both Belturbet and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service were in attendance.
The volunteer crew were then tasked by Belfast Coastguard to a boat with engine problems 1.5 miles from Knockninny. The sports cabin cruiser and its four passengers and their dog were brought to safety at Knockninny marina.
The third tasking saw Carrybridge RNLI going to a vessel that ran out fuel close to the Share Centre. The 22 foot vessel and its passenger were brought to safety of the Share Centre Marina.
The lifeboat and RWC returned to station at 9.15pm.
Speaking following the callouts, Carrybridge RNLI Helm Chris Cathcart said ' The crew of the burning vessel did the right thing by alerting the Coastguard straight way when their vessel went on fire. They made sure they had their lifejackets on and evacuated their vessel to another passing vessel as soon as possible.’
He also commended the crews of the further two vessels the lifeboat assisted for their quick thinking when they found themselves in danger.
‘The importance of alerting the Coastguard as soon as possible in all cases help saves lives and prevented the situation from developing into something more serious on all our call-outs last night.’
The busy evening for the volunteer crew was in the first weekend of the RNLI’s summer campaign #RespectTheWater which targets accidental drowning along Northern Ireland’s coastline and inland waterways. The ‘Respect the Water’ campaign is warning the public to watch out for the key dangers that can catch people out in or near the water.
The campaign which will run throughout the summer months aims to highlight the risk of accidental drowning when people are near the water’s edge while encouraging safer behaviour both in and around the water. The campaign is primarily aimed at males aged between 16 and 39.
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For information please contact Stephen Ingram Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 07725693373 email stepheningram69@hotmail.com or
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Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland