Enniskillen RNLI launched twice at the weekend

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat – the John and Jean Lewis - by the Coastguard on Friday (7 February) and Sunday (9 February).

On Friday at 6.30pm, the Coastguard requested assistance following a report of an object in the lake close to marker 57A. The crew worked with police and Lough Erne Coastguard searching the area but nothing untoward was found. The lifeboat returned to the station shortly after 8.20pm.

On Sunday shortly after 11.30am, the crew were requested to assist following a report that someone on a jet ski needed assistance following mechanical problems. The lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel and towed the vessel to shore, returning to the lifeboat station at 12.15pm.

Speaking after the call outs, Enniskillen RNLI helm Kane Howe said: 'The first call out turned out to be a false alarm with good intent but we would always much rather launch and fin all is well than not at all and we commend the person who raised the alarm when they spotted something in the water. And on Sunday, we were happy to bring the person in difficulty on the jet ski back to shore safely.

'We would remind anyone who sees anything suspicious or someone in trouble on the water, to dial is 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

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RNLI Media Contacts

For more information contact Sam Corr, Enniskillen RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected]

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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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