Newcastle RNLI responds to false alarm following pan-pan alert
Yesterday, Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, the Leonard Kent, was launched after Belfast Coastguard received a pan-pan message from the crew of a yacht approximately 20 miles south east of Newcastle.
At approximately 7.20pm yesterday (Thursday 27 June) Newcastle RNLI's volunteer crew were requested to launch thir all-weather lifeboat following a ‘pan-pan’ message having been received by the Coastguard. The Coastguard were unable to re-establish contact with the vessel and requested the lifeboat to attend the yacht and ascertain the state of the four people onboard.
Weather conditions at the time of the launch were overcast with fair visibility and a gentle breeze. The Leonard Kent arrived with the yacht at approximately 8.55pm where weather conditions had deteriorated. There was a force 7 south easterly wind and visibility was poor with a rough sea state.
As the lifeboat was making its way to the yacht, the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter 116 from Dublin had made contact with those onboard the yacht and and ascertained that all was well. The lifeboat was requested to continue to the 12m yacht and on arrival also confirmed all onboard were safe and well.
The pan-pan call turned out to be a miscommunication.
Speaking after the call out, Newcastle RNLI Coxswain Gerry McConkey, said: ‘The volunteer crew were gathering at the lifeboat station for our usual Thursday evening training when the pagers sounded to launch the all-weather lifeboat. This allowed for a quick launch. On arrival we were glad to confirm the four people onboard were safe and well and the yacht was not in any difficulty.We would ask everyone going to sea to ensure they have a working means of communication to make contact in an emergency.’
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