Red Bay RNLI rescue three people after boat is grounded on rocks near Glenarm

In a strong easterly wind and choppy waters, the lifeboat crew were on scene in twenty minutes and all three men were safety rescued from the craft and brought ashore.

When arriving on scene the lifeboat crew observed the vessel stuck fast on the rocks and with visible damage to its hull. Deciding it would be too dangerous to move the vessel and with the tide dropping, the decision was taken to evacuate the crew off their vessel. Two lifeboat crew swam ashore and with the assistance of Ballycastle and Larne shore based coastguard units, two men were safely taken off the boat. The third man needed the aid of a stretcher and the agencies worked together to safety move him.

Commenting on the callout Red Bay RNLI Helm Connor McLaughlin said, ‘ The fishing vessel was stuck fast on the rocky coastline and the crew were unable to move. With the tide dropping fast and visible damage to the vessel, we needed to bring them to safety as quickly as possible. Working with the local coastguard agencies, two of our crew swam to shore and brought all three of the men to safety, with one needing a stretcher to be evacuated off the small craft.’

‘The weather can turn in an instant and its important to take note of tide times. Thankfully all of the men were wearing lifejackets and the outcomes was a successful one.’

Ends

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For more information please contact Paddy McLaughlin Red Bay RNLI Coxswain and Press Officer Tel: 078 02 308821 or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Media Manager Tel: 00 353 87 1254 124 email: [email protected]

Or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Media Officer Tel: 00 353 87 648 3547 email: [email protected]

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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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