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Enniskillen RNLI assists six people on boat taking shelter in difficult weather

Lifeboats News Release

At 2.15pm yesterday (Sunday 23 May), Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, John and Jean Lewis, launched to the aid of six people in a day boat taking shelter in the area of Tully Bay.

RNLI/Nuala McAloon

Stock image Enniskillen RNLI

The casualties were on their way towards Castle Archdale when a strong easterly wind and harsh weather made it difficult to continue safely. They immediately sought shelter and called Belfast Coastguard for help. The Coastguard requested Enniskillen RNLI to launch their lifeboat to provide assistance.

The volunteer crew found the group sheltering in the Tully bay area. There were six people onboard the boat, two adults and four children. All onboard the vessel were wearing the correct safety equipment and apart from being cold and wet, were safe and well.

The four children and one of the adults were taken aboard the lifeboat while one adult stayed aboard to helm the vessel. Then the lifeboat escorted the vessel back to the safety of Castle Archdale. There a Castle Archdale rib joined them in shadowing the group to mooring.

Speaking after the call out, Enniskillen RNLI Helm Stephen Ingram said: ‘The casualties did exactly the right thing when confronted with harsh weather. They sought shelter and called for assistance. If you find yourself in difficulty in challenging weather that is the best thing to, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Ends

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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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