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Portrush RNLI launched to reports of a motorboat broken down at Portballintrae

Lifeboats News Release

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard on Saturday afternoon (24th July) at 2.58pm to a report of a boat in difficulty just off Portballintrae.

RNLI/Colm Watters

Portrush ALB with Motorboat under tow

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard on Saturday afternoon (24th July) at 2.58pm to a report of a boat in difficulty just off Portballintrae.

The All-weather Lifeboat was paged at 2.47pm to launch to reports of a 34 foot motorboat with steering failure, with three crew on board.

Visibility was excellent with clear skies, so the volunteer crew made good time and were on scene at 3.13pm

When the volunteer RNLI crew arrived on scene, they assessed the situation and after a dynamic risk assessment decided to tow the motorboat and her crew to Portrush Harbour.

Beni McAllister Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portrush Lifeboat Station said:-

This is a classic tow manoeuvre which our crew train are trained to do. On scene a risk assessment was carried out a decision made to the boat back to the nearest safe, suitable port, which was Portrush’.

The ALB arrived back to station at 4pm in glorious sunshine.

More information can be downloaded from www.rnli.org/safety

Ends

RNLI/Colm Watters

RNLI/Daniel Thorne

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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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