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Portaferry RNLI called out to aid man thrown from motor boat in Strangford Lough

Lifeboats News Release

A volunteer crew from Portaferry RNLI were preparing for a training exercise when they received a call to go to the aid of a man who had been thrown from a small motor boat which was subsequently spinning out of control.

Portaferry RNLI goes to reports of Dory spinning out of control

RNLI/Portaferry

Portaferry RNLI goes to reports of Dory spinning out of control

The call was received at 10.53 am and the volunteer lifeboat crew were on the water and on their way to the casualty by 10.55am.

The RNLI volunteers were heading for a location roughly half a mile from Don O’Neill Island in Strangford Lough County Down.

The lifeboat crew arrived on scene at 11.00am where the weather was cloudy with fair visibility, a force three southerly wind and calm sea conditions.

On arrival, the volunteer crew learnt that the man had been thrown clear of the small dory when the craft had developed steering problems and started spinning in circles.

He had subsequently been taken on board another boat which had been at the scene at the time and taken ashore by them.With the help of other boats attending a regatta in the area at the time, the Portaferry RNLI crew eventually brought the spinning craft under control, after which they attached tow lines to the vessel and towed it back into Portaferry Marina.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Bernard Roddy, Portaferry RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or telephone 07717318003, or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 00353876483547, email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 00 353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

Notes for Editor:
Photo: Portaferry Lifeboat approaches spinning dory

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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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