Enniskillen RNLI assist six people during two callouts within two days

Belfast Coastguard requested Enniskillen RNLI’s volunteer crew to launch on Tuesday last (October 6) and the following day, Wednesday (October 7), following separate reports that two vessels had got into difficulty on Lower Lough Erne.

At 1.35pm on Tuesday 6 October, the volunteer crew was requested to launch following reports that a fishing boat was experiencing mechanical difficulties.

Winds were North Westerly, Force 4. Visibility was good.

The volunteer crew located the casualty vessel and, once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the two people on board and found them to be safe and well. Both people were transferred to the lifeboat, while one crew member got onboard the casualty vessel to assist in the recovery. The vessel was towed to Trory public jetty where casualties were received by members of Lough Erne Coastguard Team.

At 5pm the following day (Wednesday 7 October), Enniskillen’s inshore lifeboat was tasked, by Belfast Coastguard, to assist a boat which was experiencing engine problems near Muckross.

Winds were South Westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good.

The volunteer crew located the casualty vessel and found all four passengers onboard were found to be safe and well. The lifeboat helm and crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s location, they deemed the safest option was for the casualty to be towed to a safe location.

Speaking following the call outs, Kane Howe, Volunteer Lifeboat Helm at Enniskillen RNLI said: ‘‘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.

Volunteer Lifeboat Helm, Rory Hoy, added: ‘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.’’

RNLI Media Contacts

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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