Carrybridge RNLI tasked to assist 2 people and 2 dogs on a barge aground

Winds were Westerly, Force 1. Visibility was good with part cloudy skies.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat located the vessel which was aground just off the main navigation channel. Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the two people on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing lifejackets. The two dogs onboard were also checked and found to be calm and not showing any signs of being stressed. The casualty vessel was also checked, and all was found to be in a safe condition with no water ingress, however it was grounded in an area of very shallow water.

The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s location and its status of being aground, the helm deemed the safest option was for the owner to obtain the assistance of an independent recovery company to assist in the refloating of their vessel. This information was relayed onto Belfast Coastguard and the volunteer crew remained with the casualty vessel and its crew until the recovery company arrived on scene. Once their craft was successfully refloated, the lifeboat crew thanked the recovery company for their assistance, checked the casualty vessel and the people on board to make sure everything was ok which it was, and the casualty vessel was then able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey.

Once completed the crew onboard the Lifeboat then returned to station where it was left ready for service again.

Speaking following the call out, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘With people making the most of the exceptionally good weather which we have been encountering recently, we are seeing more people making the most of our wonderful waterways. We would advise all boat users before setting out on your journey to please plan your route ahead using the relevant charts for the area making sure to check the navigational marks on the water to those shown on your chart. Have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble and have lifejackets for all on board. If you see someone or something 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

RNLI online

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 Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, 07595895908, [email protected]

Stephen Scott, Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, 07786228968, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

Ciaran Dixon, RNLI Communications Placement on [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.