Enniskillen RNLI launched to assist a person onboard a vessel
Just after 3.30pm on Friday 15 May, Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Ted Dawber, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, following a report that a longboat (barge) had run aground around marker 55K.
Weather was cloudy with a light north-westerly wind.
The volunteer crew made the short distance to the Rossiagh area, located the casualty vessel and found the passenger onboard to be safe and well. It was established that a marker had previously been damaged and marked with a red buoy causing confusion with the entrance into the bay.
Due to the positioning of the barge and the surrounding environment it was deemed safer to leave the vessel in its position and take the passenger to a nearby jetty where a friend was moored. The anchor was deployed from the barge for extra security, and the position was passed to Belfast Coastguard. The crew and local coastguard team stayed with the passenger and assisted with arrangements to get the longboat refloated. The volunteer crew and lifeboat returned to station.
Speaking following the call out, Helm, Stephen Ingram, said: “The passenger did the right thing by phoning 999 and asking for Coastguard. We were happy to assist. Thank you to those involved who came in support of the rescue.”
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For further information, please contact:
Sam Corr, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [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]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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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