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Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate rescues within a 24 hour period

Lifeboats News Release

At 3.45pm on Monday 10 July, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore relief lifeboat, Roy Snewin was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 27 foot vessel with 2 people on board, which had encountered mechanical issues approx. 1 mile north east of Knockninny, on Upper Lough Erne.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate rescues within a 24 hour period

Carrybridge RNLI

Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate rescues within a 24 hour period

Winds were South Westerly, Force 3 with a gentle breeze. Visibility was fair with heavy showers.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel which had broken down and had deployed its anchor to avoid them drifting ashore. The crew assessed the casualties and found them to be safe and well and wearing lifejackets.

The helm on board the lifeboat carried out a risk assessment of the casualty vessel and due to the craft having no propulsion, and being anchored in the main navigation channel, the decision was made that the safest option would be to set up a stern tow and bring it back to its moorings. A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard the casualty vessel to assist whilst it was being towed back.

Once the casualty vessel was safely secured at its berth, the lifeboat returned to station where it was left ready for its next callout.

The following afternoon, Tuesday 11 July, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched at 2.11pm at the request of Belfast Coastguard following reports of a 30 foot vessel with 2 people on board which had got into difficulties in shallow water close to Naan Island.

It was also confirmed by Belfast Coastguard that a further 27 foot vessel with 2 people on board had also got into difficulties in the same area trying to assist the initial vessel.

Winds were South Westerly, Force 3 with a gentle breeze. Visibility was good with part cloudy skies.

Once on scene the volunteer crew located two vessels in close proximity, both of which had got into difficulties in shallow water. The first vessel with 2 people onboard was assessed and the decision made with the owner’s permission to safely refloat and tow it into deeper water. This was carried out successfully.

With the first vessel in safe water and operating under its own power, the attention turned to assess and assist the second vessel with 2 people onboard which was further aground. The volunteer lifeboat crew had requested for the owner to empty their water tanks to assist with the refloating, and during this process the casualty vessel began to float and drifted out of the shallows and into deeper water.

The lifeboat came alongside the casualty vessel, and when safety and operation checks were being carried out, the owner found that his vessel would no longer start. Due to the vessel having no means of propulsion, the helm on board the lifeboat made the decision that the safest option was to set up a stern tow. A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard the casualty vessel whilst it was towed back to the closest public marina.

Speaking following the call outs, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Helm at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘Now we are in the summer season we would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel, make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble. If you see someone in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is: 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’’

Ends

Notes to editors

· Carrybridge Lifeboat Station was started in 2002 on Upper Lough Erne. It currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and a Rescue Water Craft

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, email [email protected] or Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 in a normal year 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 142,700 lives.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate rescues within a 24 hour period

Carrybridge RNLI

Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate rescues within a 24 hour period

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

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