Radio mast damaged at Portrush RNLI's lifeboat station
The radio mast at Portrush RNLI lifeboat station was damaged at the weekend.
Portrush RNLI Coxswain Des Austin said:
‘We believe those who caused the damage may have been using the mast to get onto the roof of the lifeboat station to then dive into the sea just beside the boarding boat.
Apart from the fact that this is dangerous, the repair for the damage comes at a cost to the RNLI which is a charity that relies on the generosity of the public to help the volunteer lifeboat crew continue to save lives at sea.
'We would remind everyone that the waters around the station can be shallow and someone could be seriously injured jumping in from the roof. To resolve this issue and the risk to health and safety, we will be working to secure the roof to make sure it cannot be accessed by members of the public.'
The mast has been repaired so lifeboat operations are not be affected.
Ends
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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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