Larne RNLI in Northern Ireland came to the aid of three people onboard a broken-down RIB some four-and-a-half miles off the Larne coast on Thursday evening (4 September).
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Terry at 5.54pm at the request of HM Coastguard after a member of the crew onboard the casualty boat raised the alarm.
Weather conditions at the time were fine with a light wind and calm seas.
Helmed by Barry Kirkpatrick and with Shea McFerran and Phil Ford-Hutchinson onboard, the lifeboat made way to the casualties’ last reported location.
The RIB was located some four-and-a-half miles off the coast of Larne. It was established that the three crew members were safe and well and that the reason for the breakdown was engine failure.
After checking that all onboard were safe and following an assessment of the scene by the helm, it was decided that the safest course of action was for a tow to be set up and the RIB taken to the nearest safe harbour at Ballylumford.
The casualties on arrival were handed into the care of Portmuck Coastguard.
Speaking following the call-out, Larne RNLI helm Barry Kirkpatrick said: “The casualties were wearing the correct safety equipment and had the means to contact the coastguard. They did the right thing when they realised that they were in difficulty.
“We would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea to check their vessels and ensure engines are well maintained. When going out, always carry adequate tools and spares and ensure you have enough fuel for your journey.
“If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
Elsewhere, Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI responded to a false alarm with good intent on Thursday night after flares were sighted off the Co Down coast.
Volunteers from Newcastle RNLI were on a routine training exercise on their inshore lifeboat when they spotted red flares being set off between Newcastle and Kilkeel.
Kilkeel RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was requested and joined shortly afterwards, with both crews searching the area off Kilkeel Harbour.
Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was also requested, as was a coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick, Kilkeel Coastguard’s shore-based team and a coastguard spotter plane.
The multi-agency search was stood down when nothing untoward was found.
Speaking following the call-out, Daniel Curran, Newcastle RNLI Launch Authority said: “While this transpired to be a false alarm with good intent, we would always much rather launch to find all is well than not launch at all.
“We would like to thank and commend all our colleagues in the various emergency services who worked very well together.”
