Lough Ree RNLI assist in searching for suspected missing person
Lough Ree RNLI Volunteers assisted in the search of a suspected missing person who had become separated from the jet ski they were on.
Yesterday (Sunday 2 June 2019) at 7.05 pm the Irish Coast Guard in Malin Head tasked Lough Ree RNLI together with Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 118 and other agencies on Lough Ree including Athlone Sub Aqua Club, Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club and Roscommon Civil Defence to search for a person who had called for help after falling from their jet ski. The location of the casualty was unknown and conditions on the lake at the time were choppy with strong winds from the south west.
All agencies conducted an extensive surface and arial search for a number of hours with nothing to report. The Irish Coast Guard stood the search down at 10.30pm.
Speaking after the search was stood down, Lough Ree Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony McCarth said: 'If you are using the lake you should always carry a means of communication, either VHF radio or mobile phone and ensure if they are not waterproof that you have them in a water tight bag so you can call for help easily if and when needed.'
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sarah Bradbury, Lough Ree RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 121 0658 or sarahlpowell@yahoo.co.uk or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk
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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.