Larne RNLI and Redbay RNLI called out to vessel lost in fog
Larne RNLI and Redbay RNLI called out to vessel lost in fog
Lifeboats News Release
Larne RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat this afternoon (Monday 07 May) to reports of an 18ft motor vessel with two people on-board lost in foggy conditions near the Maidens Lighthouse.
The inshore lifeboat launched at 11.40am and with assistance from Larne Port Control made its way to a vessel identified in the area of the Maidens. When on scene it became clear this was not the vessel requiring assistance. The volunteer crew continued the search in difficult foggy conditions. At the time there was a South-Easterly breeze and a significant swell running.
Red bay RNLI All weather lifeboat was launched at 12.25pm to assist in the search.
At 1pm Larne inshore Lifeboat located the 18ft motor vessel 1Nm West of the Maidens Lighthouse. On arrival, the volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the two people on-board to ensure they were safe and well. Both casualties were in good spirits and both had life jackets on. The volunteer crew then guided the casualty vessel back into the safety of Larne Harbour.
Speaking following the call out, Larne RNLI Helm Dave Somerville said: 'We knew before launching that this was going to be a challenging shout for the crew. Visibility was less than 300m and the casualty vessel location was over 5 miles out. Using the navigation equipment we have on board, with assistance from Larne Port Control and Belfast Coastguard, we located the casualty in the fog and assisted them back to port.'
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.
