Three call outs in one weekend for Larne RNLI

The inshore lifeboat launched at 4.05pm on Friday to reports of a 29ft yacht broken free of its mooring in the shipping channel. Due to the severe weather with wind Force 8, the Larne all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Frank Healy then launched at 4.25pm, and made its way to the scene near Curran quay. Two crew members boarded the yacht to set up a tow. The conditions were particularly challenging with a broken mast, lose rigging and a very heavy sea. The yacht was secured safely to a mooring in Larne lough.

On Sunday volunteer RNLI crew completed weekly training by midday but were paged only a matter of hours later to launch. The wind was gusting up to force 10 therefore it was decided to launch the All-weather lifeboat. One yacht had broken from its mooring whilst another was dragging its mooring into the shipping channel. Lifeboat crew were placed aboard the first yacht and a tow established, it was then secured to another mooring. Once the first yacht was secure, lifeboat crew and the yacht’s owner were placed abroad the yacht dragging its mooring. Due to the wind and sea conditions in the lough the decision was made to head for safe harbour in Glenarm rather than attempt a mooring pickup. Once the casualty vessel was safely on its way to Glenarm under its own steam, Larne lifeboat returned to the station.

Speaking following the call out, Larne RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Philip Ford-Hutchinson said, 'The strong southerly winds and heavy sea state within the lough made these three incidents extremely challenging for our volunteer crews to deal with. All their training was called upon in removing the vessels from further danger.'

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For information please contact Fiona Kirkpatrick Larne RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 077 3805 9405 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 00 353 87 1254 124 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 00 353 87 6483547 email [email protected]

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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