Portaferry RNLI come to aid of workers stranded on island
Portaferry RNLI came to the aid of three people stranded on Trasnagh Island near Whiterock this afternoon (Tuesday 26 November), as the weather deteriorated
Portaferry’s volunteer crew launched promptly at 1.26pm and made their way to Transnagh Island, in Strangford Lough and arrived on scene at 1.45pm, in fair but rainy weather conditions and easterly winds. The sea state was moderate.
When on scene, the volunteer crew transferred the three work men off the island, where they had been working since the early hours of the morning. As the weather had got worse, the small boat that they had used to get out to island was not suitable to complete the return journey to shore.
The lifeboat crew took the three workmen to shore, where they were met by the local coastguard team.
Commenting on today’s call out, Graham Edgar, Portaferry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘While not in any immediate danger, the men certainly took the right course of action today calling for help once they realised that they could not get back to shore. We were delighted to help and would urge anyone considering going to sea to take all necessary precautions and respect the water.’
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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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