#RNLI - The volunteer lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI were launched yesterday morning (Saturday 6 August 2016) just before 9am to reports of an anchorless 17ft punt with three people onboard in difficulty off Keeragh Island, Co Wexford.

Requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard to the initial location, reported as a half mile north-east of Keeragh Island, once on scene the lifeboat was not able to locate the vessel, whose VHF aerial was broken on top of suffering engine failure.

A short time later the lifeboat crew spotted the vessel getting washed ashore in the surf on Ballyteigue beach. Two of its crew had left the punt and were trying to prevent it getting completely beached.

As the Fethard lifeboat approached the shore, one of the lifeboat crew got into the surf and turned the punt around to establish a tow. Once the rope was secured, the lifeboat towed the vessel with its three crew onboard to the Coalyard at Cullenstown.

"The changing nature of this callout meant that the lifeboat crew and to react quickly to ensure a successful outcome, at one stage towing the punt through a very narrow channel between sandbars," said Fethard RNLI deputy launching authority Hugh Burke.

"I would urge all boat operators to ensure that they have a properly working anchor on their vessel and a means of calling for help. The most benign situations can turn in the blink of an eye and in these cases every second counts.

"Thankfully the weather was good and the lifeboat crew were able to assist and bring both the crew and the boat safely home."

#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI rescued a child yesterday evening (Thursday 4 August) after an offshore breeze pulled her inflatable dinghy out to sea.

Ballycotton’s all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Eolan Walsh, was launched around 5.30pm after the nine-year-old girl got into difficulty off Ardnahinch beach.

Valentia Coast Guard was quickly alerted and then requested the volunteer crew members from Ballycotton and Youghal RNLI to launch their all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

Although weather conditions were calm, an offshore breeze blew the inflatable dinghy out to sea with the girl clinging on.

Ballycotton's inshore boarding boat was first to arrive on scene, shortly followed by the all-weather lifeboat.

The girl was brought onboard the inshore lifeboat where she was assessed and found to be safe and well but in a distressed state. She was assisted by the crew member and brought back safely to her parents on the beach.

"This was a frightening experience for the young girl and her family and we would like to wish them all well following their ordeal," said Walsh after the callout.

"Thankfully, the alarm was raised quickly and the casualty was wearing a suitable buoyancy aid which attributed to a positive outcome."

Walsh added that "while the coast is a great place for young people and families to enjoy, we would remind everyone to respect the water, to understand the risks and to stay safe.

"When using a dinghy, always make sure you wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid; always carry a means of calling or signalling for help.

"Check the weather forecasts and tide times before you go and if on your own, tell someone about your plans – where you intend to go and when you expect to return, and know how to contact the coastguard."

RNLI lifeguards created an exclusion zone up to 300m on Murlough Beach on Monday afternoon following the discovery of an old mortar bomb.

Senior lifeguard Peter Kinkaid and lifeguard Tommy Murphy were moving the RNLI’s red and yellow flags at approximately 2.30pm when they discovered what they believed to be an old bomb a short distance from the water’s edge between the flags which are used to mark the safest area to swim.

Peter took a photograph of the item and sent it to the local Coastguard unit who shared his view that the object might be an old mortar bomb. The PSNI and the bomb disposal unit were subsequently contacted.

Peter, Tommy and fellow lifeguard Sean McConvey red flagged the relatively quiet area at 3.15pm, before continuing to maintain patrol of the rest of the beach working to keep the small number of visitors away from the area concerned.

On arrival the bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion at 5.20pm before the red and yellow flags were put out again at 5.30pm with normal patrol resuming.

Speaking following the incident, Jason Nugent, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said: ‘There have been a number of similar discoveries in recent times with the lifeguards dealing with mortar bomb finds on the beach last summer also. The beach was relatively quiet at the time of this discovery but throughout the operation, the lifeguards maintained patrol of the remainder of the beach and worked to assist and reassure people visiting.

‘While this is nothing to be alarmed about, we would encourage any visitors who may come across any unusual items while on the beach to let us know so we can notify the relevant authorities who can deal with it.’

The RNLI beach lifeguard unit on Benone Strand on the North coast has been vandalised for a second time this season.
A member of the public reported that at approximately 10pm on Monday night last (1 August), they spotted damage being caused to the beach lifeguard unit near the entrance to the beach.
On further investigation, the charity’s lifeguards discovered on Tuesday morning that the vandals had damaged the roof of the beach lifeguard unit having stripped off the brackets that secure an essential VHF aerial.
Ideal for the harsh beach environment, lifeguards rely on handheld VHF radios to communicate with each other when on patrol and to communicate with their colleagues in the Coastguard in the event of an emergency.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Karl O’Neill said: ‘While we were fortunate to find the wire wasn’t damaged on the aerial which would have rendered our VHF communications off service, the damage was such that given the poor weather we have been experiencing the signal could have been affected.’
Prior to the peak season commencing this summer, a window door entrance was smashed in the hut during the Easter period.
It is estimated that the repairs to the beach lifeguard unit will run into hundreds of pounds for the charity.
The RNLI is working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in an attempt to prevent further damage being done to the beach unit for the remainder of the season.
‘We would appeal to those doing this damage to be mindful that the RNLI is a charity’, Karl continued. ‘Our lifeguards are an essential part of what is a seamless rescue service that saves lives from the beach to the open sea. Our lifeguards’ primary role on Benone Strand as on all eight lifeguarded beaches on the Causeway Coast is to make sure the beach can be enjoyed safely by the public.
‘We hope that these acts of vandalism will cease and that our lifeguards can continue to operate from the unit safely.’

#RNLI - The volunteer crew of Youghal lifeboat were requested to launch on Saturday afternoon (30 July) to reports of a dive boat with engine failure south of Ram Head with two people onboard.

With an updated position received from the Irish Coast Guard, Youghal RNLI located the vessel with the two men safely onboard and wearing their lifejackets.

The lifeboat, with helm Jason Ansbro and crew members Erik Brooks, Kevin Daly and Liam Keogh, took the boat under tow to Knockadoon Pier.

While en route, the crew received a call from the lifeboat station to say there was a dog swimming out to sea at Pilmore beach. After securing the vessel at Knockadoon, the lifeboat proceeded to Pilmore in search of the dog, locating it with the help of the Youghal Coast Guard unit on the beach and recovering the animal onboard the lifeboat.

After some reassurance, the dog seemed happy and unharmed by his adventure, and he was returned to the safety of the beach.

It later emerged that the dog and its owners were walking on Pilmore beach exercising an injury from the previous week, when the dog broke free from his lead and made a dash for the water.

Weather conditions at the time were dry with a light north-westerly breeze and calm sea.

Speaking after the event, lifeboat helm Jason Ansbro said: "When walking dogs on the beach, people should be vigilant as they can get into difficulty very quickly, and to make sure and not go into the water after them if they do."

#RNLI - Portaferry RNLI has urged the public to be vigilant and to take care near or on water this summer following three callouts in two days for the Co Down lifeboat station.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was first put into action on Friday afternoon (29 July) when during a routine exercise, the inshore lifeboat observed three people on a small inflatable boat that had broken down and was on a rock off Killyleagh. Weather conditions at the time were described as good with the sun shining and a slight breeze.

Following unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the lifeboat crew offered their assistance and proceeded to take the three onboard and bring them safely back to shore in Killyleagh.

The lifeboat launched for a second time on Friday evening following a 999 call from a bystander on the shore at the northern end of Strangford Lough.

At the scene the crew found a man was using a small tender boat to get out to his yacht, which was on a mooring between the islands. However, with the tide rushing between the islands at six to seven knots, it was making conditions difficult. The lifeboat went alongside the boat and ensured the man made his way safely to the yacht.

The lifeboat crew was called on for a third time shortly after 6pm on Saturday (30 July) when a 10m yacht with one onboard broke down and was becalmed off the north rock in Cloughey, Portavogie. Conditions at the time were good with an easterly Force 2 wind blowing, some cloud and a calm sea.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the engine had lost power and proceeded to work with the yachtsman to establish a towline before bringing the vessel safely into Portavogie.

Speaking following what has been a busy period for the station, Portaferry RNLI lifeboat operations manager Brian Bailie said: "We would encourage everyone visiting the coastline this summer to enjoy themselves but to remember to respect the water.

"Always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling and signalling for help and ensure everyone know how to use it. Always check the weather forecast and tide times.

"Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. Learn how to start, run and maintain your engine and always carry tools and spares."

Lifeboat crew from Red Bay RNLI rescued a man who fell over a wall sustaining multiple injuries in the early hours of this morning (Sunday 31 July).

The man who fell at 2.30am landed close to rocks beside the lifeboat station in Cushendall. A community action plan was quickly was put into action and the lifeboat crew was paged to provide first aid.

Crew members along with an off-duty paramedic were quickly on scene where they assessed the casualty who had suffered a broken thigh.

Using the station’s first aid pack complete with oxygen and Entonox, the lifeboat crew worked with the paramedic in challenging conditions to stabilise the man and stretcher him to the lifeboat station in an operation lasting over an hour.

The man was later transferred by ambulance to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

Speaking following the incident, Paddy McLaughlin, Red Bay RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘The man was very unfortunate to fall where he did last night and we would like to wish him a speedy recovery from his ordeal.

‘This was a great example of a community working well together to come to someone’s aid. Many will associate Red Bay RNLI with the water but this incident proved how having people with the right skills and training with the essential first aid equipment including oxygen and Entonox, can rescue someone in need.

This was the second incident that Red Bay RNLI responded to this weekend. On Saturday evening just before 6pm, the lifeboat crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat after a member of the public spotted two canoeists who they thought to be in trouble in the Murlough Bay area near Fair Head which is known to be dangerous.

Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crew checked the canoeists were safe and well before allowing them to continue unaided.

There have been two back to back callouts for Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to assist a family of seven on a 40ft–cruiser aground at the Goat Road, and to assist a family of five on board at 35ft–cruiser aground at Ryan’s Point, Lough Derg

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched at 2.26pm this afternoon, Saturday July 30, following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to assist a family of seven, three adults and four children, on board a 40ft cruiser aground at the Goat's Road (a nesting elevation for migrating birds) at the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

Winds were northwesterly, Force 3, visibility was very good.

At 2.38pm, the lifeboat, with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Lian Knight on board, located the vessel inside the Goat Road. The seven people on board were unharmed and all wearing their lifejackets.

A RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew was transferred to the casualty vessel where he reassured everyone and checked for any damage to the hull and any ingress of water. Satisfied that the boat was not holed, he set up a tow and the lifeboat took the vessel off the rocks and out into safe water. The drives and propellers were checked to ensure they had suffered no damage, and, after pointing out their safe route on their navigations charts, the cruiser made way to Dromineer under its own power.

At 3.20pm and on their return journey to Dromineer, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to go the assistance of a family of five, two adults and three children, whose 35ft cruiser had run aground on a rocky shoal by Ryan’s Point, midway down the eastern shore of Lough Derg. The lifeboat located the vessel at 3.27pm.
A RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew was transferred to the casualty vessel where he reassured everyone and distributed survivor lifejackets to those who had none.
He checked for any damage to the hull and once he was happy that the boat was not holed, set up a tow. The lifeboat took the vessel off the rocks and out into safe water. The drives and propellers were checked to ensure they were in working order. The cruiser continued on its onward journey.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 5pm.

Pat Garland, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat advises boat users to ‘to carry enough lifejackets for everyone on board and to ensure they wear them, and to study their charts and stay within the navigation marks on the lake’.

Larne RNLI rescued three people late last night (Friday 29 July) after their 6m yacht got into difficulty off the Antrim coast.

The three women were on passage from Norway to the Caribbean having come through the Caledonian canal, and were heading to Belfast when they encountered problems.

The crew raised the alarm at approximately 11.30pm when their yacht was becalmed having sustained engine failure seven miles north east of Larne.

The all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Norman Surplus launched at 11.45pm and made its way to the scene near the Highland perch, an area far from the coastline known to be hazardous for its shallow water.

Weather conditions at the time were described as excellent with light to no wind blowing and good visibility despite it being dark.

On arrival, a volunteer lifeboat crew member transferred onto the yacht where he first checked that the three on board were safe and well.

The lifeboat crew then proceeded to work with the vessel’s crew to establish a towline before the lifeboat brought the yacht into the safety of Larne harbour. On arrival the all-weather lifeboat was met by the station’s inshore lifeboat which assisted at the end of the call out to put the boat on the mooring.

Speaking following the call out, Larne RNLI Coxswain Norman Surplus said: ‘The three women did the right thing tonight and raised the alarm when they got into difficulty and thankfully all three are safe and well and we would like to wish them a safe onward journey.

‘We would encourage anyone visiting the coast this summer, to remember to respect the water. When sailing, always have a means for calling and signalling for help and ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it. Always check the weather forecast and tide times. Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. Learn how to start, run and maintain your engine and always carry tools and spares.’

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on Thursday evening (28 July) to reports of a 21ft boat with a fouled propeller south of Rush Harbour.

A person on board the stricken vessel had contacted one of the volunteer crew and informed them that they had fouled their propeller and were anchored south of the harbour.

The crew were paged shortly after 8.30pm, and the lifeboat was quickly launched with Joe May as Helm and crewed by Rob Morgan, Peter Kennedy and Simon Shiels.

As the lifeboat was en route, the crew received an update to say that the casualty vessel had managed free their propeller and return safely to Rogerstown Estuary. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

Speaking after the callout, Skerries RNLI lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: "Things can go wrong at sea, even for the most experienced seafarers. That’s why it is important to always have the correct equipment on board.

"In this case a good anchor gave [the casualty vessel and its crew] the time they needed to get themselves out of trouble."

The callout was the third in a week for the Skerries inshore lifeboat, after it launched to reports of swimmers in difficulty last Saturday 23 July, and rescued four from a speedboat grounded on rocks at Colt Island the previous Thursday (21 July).