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Carrybridge RNLI assist 10 people in 2 separate rescues over a busy weekend

Lifeboats News Release

At 2.37pm on Saturday 10 June, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore relief lifeboat, Roy Snewin was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a vessel with 4 people on board, which had encountered mechanical issues approx. 2 miles upstream of Carrybridge.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 10 people in 2 separate rescues over a busy weekend

Carybridge RNLI

Carrybridge RNLI assist 10 people in 2 separate rescues over a busy weekend

Winds were South East, Force 2 with a gentle breeze. Visibility was good.

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 navigation channel, the decision was made to set up an alongside tow. A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard the casualty vessel whilst it was towed back to its private marina.

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 evening, Sunday 11 June, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched at 7.40pm at the request of Belfast Coastguard following reports of a vessel which had broken down and was taking on water approx. 1 mile upstream of Enniskillen with 6 people on board.

Winds were Southerly, Force 1 with light airs. Visibility was good with clear skies.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel which had managed to secure their vessel to a small fishing jetty. Some of the crew from the lifeboat boarded the vessel and found the 6 persons on board to be safe and well.

The casualty vessel was assessed by the crew, and it was established that the owner had stemmed the water ingress, and the crafts own bilge pump system was now lowering the internal water levels to a safe limit. Once this was established, the helm of the lifeboat deemed the safest option was to tow the casualty vessel the short distance to Enniskillen.

A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard whilst it was being towed, and once it was safely secured at a public jetty in Enniskillen, the lifeboat returned to station.

Speaking following the call outs, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Helm at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘During this lovely spell of good weather, we want everyone to really enjoy using our beautiful waterways. Always carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel and have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble and have lifejackets for all on board. If you see someone or something 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.

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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