Carrybridge RNLI began a busy Northern Ireland spring bank holiday weekend on Saturday afternoon (23 May) when the inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard to assess a 10-metre vessel with one person on board which had broken down about a mile downstream from Carrybridge.
Winds were south-westerly Force 3 and visibility was good with clear skies as the lifeboat was prepared to launch shortly after 1pm.
But before leaving the station, they were contacted again by Belfast Coastguard who advised that another passing cruiser had taken the casualty vessel under tow, and they did not require any further assistance.
Some hours later, at 6.20pm, the inshore lifeboat was launched to assess another vessel — a 10.5-metre boat with five people on board, which had drifted into a shallow area and was unable to navigate back to deeper waters.
The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel floating close to the reed bank, as well as being very close to the main navigation channel.
Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the five people on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets. The casualty vessel was checked, and all was found to be in a safe condition.
Due to the vessel’s location, which was exposed to the prevailing weather conditions and also a possible navigational hazard for other cruisers who could attempt a rescue, it was determined that the safest course of action was to carry out a tow and safely bring the vessel out into deeper water with the owner’s permission.
Once this was completed, the vessel was checked and found to be in fully working order and it was able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey.
Less than 24 hours later, shortly before 5.15pm on Sunday (24 May), the inshore lifeboat was requested to launch to assess another 10.5 metre vessel, with three adults and a child on board, which had struck a submerged object in the main navigation channel around a mile north-east of Knockninny, causing it to drift into an area of unmarked navigational waters.
Weather conditions were similar to Saturday, with south-westerly Force 3 winds and good visibility with clear skies.
The volunteer lifeboat crew soon located the casualty vessel, which had its anchor deployed to avoid further drifting. The crew onboard were safe and well and all wearing lifejackets. The casualty vessel was also checked by a volunteer lifeboat crew member who was transferred aboard, and all was found to be in a safe condition.
Due to the vessel’s location in an area of unmarked navigational waters, which was exposed to the prevailing weather and wind conditions and also a possible navigational hazard for other cruisers attempting to rescue it, it was decided to carry out a tow to safely bring the vessel out into deeper water with the owner’s permission.
Following this, the vessel was checked and found to be in fully working order and it was able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey.
Later that same evening, at 11.17pm, the inshore lifeboat launched once more — this time to assist Enniskillen RNLI in a search for an overdue jet skier in the vicinity of Castle Archdale Caravan Park on Lower Lough Erne.
The volunteer lifeboat crew made their way to Enniskillen where they planned and commenced a search from the Killyhevlin Hotel public jetty proceeding through Enniskillen and searching all surrounding areas in the town, on the instructions of Belfast Coastguard.
While this search was taking place, it emerged that the missing person had returned home safe and well to Castle Archdale, and Carrybridge RNLI and all other agencies taking part in the search were asked to standdown at 11.55pm.
In attendance were Enniskillen RNLI, the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118, Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team and the PSNI.
Chris Cathcart, volunteer helm at Carrybridge RNLI said: “This was a busy few days for the volunteer crew, while the lake became very busy with people making the most of the exceptional good weather which we encountered over the holiday weekend.
“Before setting out on your journey we would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel, make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.
“If you see someone in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
