Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard earlier this week to assess a nine-metre vessel with two people on board, which had run aground some two miles west of Kilmore Quay on Lough Erne.
Weather conditions in this part of Northern Ireland had a south-westerly Force 3 wind with good visibility and clear skies when the lifeboat was launched at 2.50pm on Tuesday (22 September).
The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat soon located the vessel, which was aground just off the main navigation channel.
Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the two people on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing lifejackets.
The casualty vessel was also checked, and all was found to be in a safe condition with no water ingress, though it was grounded in an area of very shallow water.
The lifeboat helm and crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s location and its status of being aground, they deemed the safest option was for the owner to obtain the assistance of an independent recovery company to assist in the refloating of their vessel.
The volunteer crew assisted the owner in contacting a recovery company. The people onboard the casualty vessel were happy to remain on their vessel until it was refloated and for the lifeboat to return to station.
This was also the first call-out for Matthew Nelson, the newest helm at Carrybridge RNLI who recently passed out on Wednesday 19 August. Matthew can now take command of the lifeboat during exercises and shouts.
A few days earlier, on Friday 18 September, the Carrybridge lifeboat crew were just launching on a training exercise at 8.15pm when they came across a casualty vessel which was struggling to moor their vessel in the dark.
The owner of the vessel requested help from the lifeboat crew to assist them in getting moored up for the night, and the boat was then guided to the public jetties at Carrybridge where it was safely secured. Once this was completed, the lifeboat crew continued with their exercise.
Speaking following the call-out, Chris Cathcart, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Carrybridge RNLI said: “As the darker and longer evenings are new moving in, we would ask all boaters to make sure you are safely moored up before darkness sets in. We would advise all boat users before setting out on your journey to please plan your route ahead using the relevant charts and also allow extra time for your journey.
“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.”
