Lough Ree RNLI responds to three call outs within two hours helping six people

The first call out occurred at 12.17pm when the volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat to assist three people whose motorboat had run aground on the Haxagon Shoal.

Conditions on the lake were good at the time with a flat calm sea and a hot sun.

Just as the crew had recovered their lifeboat, the Tara Scougall, they were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a person whose motorboat had got stuck on the weir boom in Athlone town at 1.11pm.

The final call out at 2.18pm was to two people onboard a boat that was taking on water in Lanesboro.

Speaking following the call out, Lough Ree RNLI Helm Tom Bradbury said: ‘As we continue to enjoy some beautiful weather, we would remind everyone to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication, and let someone know where you are going and when you are due back. If you get into difficulty on the water or see someone in trouble, you can contact the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 or by dialling 999 or 112.

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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 142,700 lives.

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