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Bangor RNLI launches twice in one day bringing three people to safety

Lifeboats News Release

Bangor RNLI came to the aid of three people in consecutive call outs yesterday (Monday 9 September) after a report of a sailing boat with engine difficulty close to Bangor harbour and again later that evening to a sailor in distress in Belfast lough.

Ruby Robinson

RNLI/Bangor RNLI

Ruby Robinson

At 4.42pm, the volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Ruby Robinson following a request from Belfast Coastguard to assess a situation where a boat with two people onboard had encountered engine problems on its journey to Bangor.

The weather at the time was dry, slightly overcast with a choppy state and a strong breeze. The sky was clear and visibility was fair.

The crew made their way to the scene and located the casualty vessel one mile north of Bangor harbour. They then spoke to the people onboard and found them to be visiting from France. Both sailors were safe, well and both wearing lifejackets.

The crew assessed the situation and made a decision to tow the vessel to the nearest safe harbour at Bangor Marina as the casualty vessel had no means of propulsion in breezy conditions.

Speaking following the call out, Bangor RNLI Helm John Bell said: ‘The boat owner did exactly the correct thing by calling us out to help, which we were only too happy to do.'

Later on Monday at 8.50pm, the pagers activated once more and the lifeboat and crew were requested to launch by HM Coastguard to assist a sailor in difficulty after suffering damage to a foiling type dinghy. A member of Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC) raised the alarm after the sailor, failed to return to the yacht club. The Ruby Robinson inshore lifeboat launched at 8.56pm, and the crew made their way to the lone sailor was alone, a call out that proved challenging as the vessel was without navigational lights at the time. Wind was blowing from the west, creating fresh breezy conditions, with slight to moderate seas, making the inshore search quite challenging.

For almost an hour, the lifeboat crew searched Bangor and Ballyholme bays and along the coastline in pitch-black conditions. Six white pyrotechnic flares were fired into the night sky by the crew to help illuminate the search area, which included Ballymacormick Point, a rocky headland devoid of any lighting and with a high risk of grounding on outcropping rocks.

At 9.52pm, a lifeboat crew member heard the faint call for help from the missing sailor which led to the successful location of the casualty near the headland. The sailor had managed to secure his vessel to a lobster pot marker buoy.

The lifeboat crew acted swiftly, rescuing the individual and bringing him safely aboard. He was safe but visibly shaken by the ordeal and cold. After ensuring the sailor's safety transported to Ballyholme Yacht Club,, the lifeboat returned to recover the dinghy, delivering it back to the yacht club.

Speaking following the call out, Bangor RNLI Launch Authority Kevin Baird said: ‘We thank the vigilant member of the public who raised the alarm out of genuine concern. We would urge anyone who is concerned of someone's safety along our coastline or on the water to always ring either 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. We advise anyone going afloat to let others know their intentions and their estimated return time. Always carry a means for calling for help or assistance.’

Ends

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.

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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.