Larne RNLI assist rigid inflatable boat with engine problems
Larne RNLI launched at 3.50pm yesterday evening (18 January) to assist a rigid inflatable boat which had lost engine power half a mile south of Muck Island.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch by Belfast coastguard to a 9 metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) with 3 people on board which had been losing engine power.
The all-weather lifeboat, Dr John McSparran, launched into a slight swell with light levels decreasing as the night closed in.
The lifeboat reached the anchored casualty boat and a volunteer crew member was put on board to establish a tow rope so that the lifeboat could bring the casualty boat into Carrickfergus harbour.
One of the casualties from the boat was transferred to the lifeboat for some respite from the cold conditions of the open water.
Upon reaching Carrickfergus harbour the casualty boat was handed into the care of the Portmuck Coastguard team.
Larne RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Allan Dorman said: ‘The casualty boat did the right thing by dropping their anchor and calling for help at the earliest opportunity. Being able to find the boat in daylight made it much easier for our volunteer crew to establish the tow and bring them into the safety of Carrickfergus harbour.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Steven Lee, Larne RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07753274490 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]
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Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has 11 lifeguarded beaches which it operates seasonally. 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, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.
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 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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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.