Enniskillen RNLI Assists Eight In Three Lough Callouts

27th May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Rescue Run: Enniskillen RNLI volunteers onboard the Ted Dawber inshore lifeboat during one of three emergency call outs on Lower Lough Erne over the Bank Holiday weekend Credit: RNLI

Enniskillen RNLI assisted eight people during three separate call-outs on Lower Lough Erne on Sunday evening. The volunteer crew launched its inshore lifeboat, Ted Dawber, three times at the request of Belfast Coastguard. Conditions on the lough were calm, with light southerly winds and good visibility.

The first launch departed at 3.45 pm, after reports that two people aboard a boat had encountered mechanical problems. The casualty vessel was located, and the occupants were found to be safe and well. Following an assessment, an RNLI crew member boarded the vessel to assist with a tow to Castle Archdale.

Later, at 7.43pm, the crew was tasked again after a boat carrying five people sustained damage when it hit an object in the water. The RNLI crew located the vessel and confirmed that everyone on board was safe. The boat was then towed to Muckross slipway.

Enniskillen RNLI crews conducted three separate call outs on Lower Lough Erne during a busy Bank Holiday Sunday. Photo: RNLI

While returning from that incident at 10.25 pm, the crew received a further request for assistance after a jet ski rider in the Castle Archdale area had not returned for three hours. A shoreline and island search was launched around Castle Archdale Caravan Park. Carrybridge RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 118 from Sligo also joined the operation.

The jet ski rider later returned safely to the caravan park, and all rescue units were stood down shortly before midnight. The lifeboat crew then returned to the station and prepared the vessel for service again.

Speaking afterwards, Enniskillen RNLI Helms Andy Wilson and Paul Keown thanked all agencies involved. “We were pleased to be of assistance on a busy Bank Holiday weekend,” they said. “As we come into the busy summer season, when more people are making the most of our waterways, we would ask all water users to carry out regular maintenance on their vessels and have a means of calling for assistance if they find themselves in trouble.”

“If you see someone or something in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Published in RNLI Lifeboats, Coastguard

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

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