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Carrybridge RNLI assist 8 people in 3 separate rescues within a 7 hour period

Lifeboats News Release

At 1.10pm on Saturday 7 September, whilst Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was proceeding to Enniskillen RNLI Station they diverted to assess a 6 metre vessel with four people on board, which suffered engine difficulties approx. 2.5 miles downstream from Carrybridge.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 8 people in 3 separate rescues within a 7 hour period

Carrybridge RNLI

Carrybridge RNLI assist 8 people in 3 separate rescues within a 7 hour period

Winds were Northeasterly, Force 1. Visibility was excellent with clear blue skies.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat located the vessel drifting close to the reed bank, within the main navigation channel. Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the four persons on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets. On checking the condition of the casualty vessel, the master of the vessel advised that the engine kept stopping and they were trying to return to Carrybridge.

The helm decided that due to the vessel’s location in the main navigation channel and with the extreme heat conditions at the time, that the safest option would be to set up an astern tow and bring the vessel back to Carrybridge.

On arrival at Carrybridge the casualty vessel was secured at the public jetty, and the volunteer crew then continued with their exercise and onward journey to the Enniskillen RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Later that evening at 7.05pm whilst the crew onboard Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat were returning to their station, they were waved down by 1 person on board a 7 metre vessel which had suffered engine difficulties. The casualty vessel was in the main navigation channel in the centre of Enniskillen approx. 500 metres away from the Round O public jetty. The lifeboat crew quickly checked the wellbeing of the person on board and found them to be safe and well.

The Helm decided due to the vessel’s location in the busy navigation channel, and with the high volume of cruiser traffic moving in that area, that the volunteer crew would urgently set up an alongside tow and bring the vessel the short distance to the public jetties at the Round O. One crew member from the lifeboat was placed on board the casualty vessel to assist. On arrival the casualty vessel was secured at the public jetty before the volunteer crew continued their onward return journey to their station at Carrybridge.

Whilst the volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat were further navigating home to their station they received their third callout of the day at 7.50pm when they were waved down by a person on a personal watercraft (Jetski) at Bellanaleck public jetties. The crew were informed by the person on board the craft that three family members onboard a 7 metre sports boat had encountered fuel problems approx. 1 mile downstream from Bellanaleck in the direction of Enniskillen.

The lifeboat crew proceeded back towards Enniskillen and located the casualty vessel in the area which had been confirmed to them. The craft was currently drifting in the main navigation channel. Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the three persons on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets.

With the master’s permission, the helm decided that due to the vessel’s location and with darkness rapidly falling, the safest option would be to set up an astern tow and bring the vessel back to Bellanaleck public jetties. One crew member from the lifeboat was placed on board the casualty vessel to assist. On arrival at Bellanaleck the casualty vessel was secured at the public jetty.

The lifeboat crew were then released to return to station where it was refuelled, washed down, and left ready for service again.

Speaking following the call out, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Helm at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘This was a busy few hours for the volunteer crew, whilst the lake became very busy with people making the most of the exceptional good weather which we encountered over the weekend. Before setting out on your journey 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 contact 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 Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 00353 874764436 or email [email protected]

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

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 has lifeguard beaches along the Causeway Coast and in county Down which it operates seasonally. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

RNLI at 200

In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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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