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Donaghadee RNLI volunteers paged to reports of boater unsure of their location

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew from Donaghadee lifeboat station were paged by HM Coastguard at 7.11am on the morning of Tuesday 06 August.

RNLI Lifeboat Macquarie departing Donaghadee Harbour

RNLI/Margaret Ramm

RNLI Lifeboat Macquarie departing Donaghadee Harbour

The crew were requested to launch by the Coastguard as they had a report of a man in a small boat in the vicinity of the Copeland Islands who was unsure of his position.

With a crew of seven onboard, RNLI lifeboat Macquarie was launched into favourable conditions, with clear visibility, a slight sea south westerly breeze. They proceeded to begin a search around Big Copeland Island and Donaghadee Sound, with the support of the coastguard shore team also scanning the coastline for any signs of the boat. At approximately 7.45am the crew of the lifeboat located the casualty roughly 1.5 miles east of Donaghadee Harbour. The casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat where the crew completed a casualty assessment and determined he was very cold and possibly with an injury to his leg. The dingy was also brought onboard the lifeboat and returned to its owner in Donaghadee Harbour.

On return to the harbour the casualty was passed into the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team and also in attendance was the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the PSNI.

The lifeboat then refuelled and returned to its moorings and was prepared by the crew for its next call out.

Following this call out, Margaret Ramm, Lifeboat Press Officer at Donaghadee Lifeboat Station commented ‘ We are all relieved that on this occasion there was a good outcome. If you have concerns for anyone at sea the importance for asking for help at the earliest opportunity really is vital – dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. ’

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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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