Bangor RNLI responds as part of multi-agency call out

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 12.55pm.

When the Ruby Robinson helmed by James Gillespie and with crew members Michael McComb, Christine Beale and David Reid onboard, arrived on scene, they observed that a casualty had been recovered from the water and was in the care of a Coastguard team. The lifeboat was stood down once it was confirmed that everyone was accounted for.

When the crew arrived back at the station and the shore crew had washed the lifeboat and were making the it ready for its next service, a second request for help came at 1.03pm. This time the Coastguard requested the lifeboat return to Helen’s Bay for a crew to investigate the sighting of an object in the water off Grey Point. The crew including helm John Bell, Gareth Whan, Christine Beale and David Reid launched the lifeboat to commence a search and on arrival discovered the object to be a lobster pot.

A third and similar call came at 2.34pm with the lifeboat crew were requested to investigate a report of an object in the water at Whitehead. The crew made their way across the lough in heavy and deteriorating weather but didn’t find anything suspicious.

Speaking following the call outs, Bangor RNLI Helm James Gillespie praised the efforts of all the various emergency services and members of the public who provided assistance: ‘Our thoughts first and foremost are with the deceased’s family and friends at this difficult time. We would also like to commend our colleagues who responded and particularly the Coastguard team who were first on scene and worked tirelessly during the incident.

‘Saturday’s back-to-back call outs also involved two false alarms with sightings of objects in the water. While nothing untoward was found in either of these searches, we would like to commend those who raised the alarm when they thought someone was in difficulty. We would always much rather launch and find that all is well rather than not launch at all.’

Ends

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For more information, please contact Louise Burrows, Bangor RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [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]

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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.

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