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Enniskillen RNLI helps six people after boat gets into difficulty on Lough Erne

Lifeboats News Release

At 10.55pm on Friday (7 June), Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, John and Jean Lewis, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a boat with six people onboard, which had encountered difficulties whilst making its way from Enniskillen in the direction of Castle Archdale.

Enniskillen Lifeboat

RNLI/Sam Corr

Enniskillen Lifeboat

Weather conditions at the time were blowing a westerly, force 3 wind and visibility was poor.

The volunteer crew located the casualty vessel which had run aground on rocks close to Marker 58R1. The crew assessed those onboard and found them to be safe and well and wearing lifejackets.

The crew assessed the situation and made a decision to tow the vessel to the nearest safe jetty as the casualty vessel could not make good progress without assistance.

Speaking following the call out, Enniskillen RNLI Helm Paul Keown, advised all boat users: 'Now that 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

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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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