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Busy Easter period for Larne RNLI with four call outs in five days

Lifeboats News Release

Larne RNLI’s volunteer crew were called out four times this Easter period to assist people in trouble at sea. The four call outs ranged from the lifeboat crew standing by, to bringing a vessel clear of rocks and assisting the crew of a fishing boat which had run aground.

RNLI/Steven Lee

Larne all-weather Lifeboat, Dr John McSparran

All casualties involved in the call outs were safe and well.

Responding to the first call out on Tuesday (4 April), Larne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Terry, launched from East Antrim Boat Club to reports of a capsized sailing dinghy in Larne Harbour. Launching the lifeboat into a slight sea, a rescue boat from the Club had recovered one person from the water and was making way to tow the boat back to shore.

The second call out on Wednesday (5 April) was a request to launch by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a kayaker in difficulty in the water in the Swan Island area of Larne Lough. Launching the inshore lifeboat at 2pm into a calm sea with good visibility, the volunteer crew were quickly updated that the casualty had made their way to shore safely and were stood down.

The third call out which came on Saturday (8 April) was a launch at the request of Belfast Coastguard to reports of a 5m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) with two adults and a child onboard, that had broken down near to the Gobbin’s off Islandmagee.

It was reported that the RIB had an anchor but was drifting towards the rocks at the Gobbin’s cliff path.

Launching the all-weather lifeboat, Dr John McSaprron, the volunteer crew made their way to the casualty boat. When the lifeboat reached the casualties, they were 20m from the rocks and drifting closer. The volunteer crew quickly established a tow line with the RIB and brought them further out to sea and safely clear of the rocks.

Once they were safe, one of the adults onboard was able to start their engine and proceed towards their launching point at Bangor Marina. The all-weather lifeboat provided shelter for the journey until the casualties were able to be handed across to the volunteer crew at Bangor RNLI and their inshore lifeboat, Jessie Hillyard, who continued with the RIB to ensure its safe return to the marina.

The fourth call out took place later that same day and involved the inshore lifeboat launching at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to reports of a small fishing boat which had broken down on its way out of Larne Harbour with two people onboard.

The volunteer crew launched the lifeboat at 12.53pm and made their way to the casualty’s location, along from the Chaine Tower in Larne, to discover that the boat had run aground. After checking that both people onboard were safe and well and after liaising with the Larne Coastguard team on the shore, it was agreed that a tow line would be established to bring the casualty boat back to the safety of Ballylumford Harbour, where they could be passed into the care of the Portmuck Coastguard team.

Speaking after the busy week, Larne RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Allan Dorman said: ‘It has been a busy few days for our volunteer crews, but I am very pleased that there were successful outcomes for every call out we attended.’

‘Our crew trains regularly in a wide variety of exercises and drills to help prepare for any situation that we may come across when at sea. I am glad that we were able to put these skills to good use over this week. Please remember, that when you are going to sea, it is essential that you tell someone of your plans, when you are leaving, when you plan to return and what your planned route is. It is also essential that you carry a means to contact the shore in case of an emergency. Also, remember that if you see anyone in trouble at sea to call 999 or 112 and to ask for the Coastguard.’

Ends


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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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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