#RNLI - Larne RNLI encourages the public to always call for help if they believe someone is in trouble on the coast, following a callout this week that turned out to be a false alarm.

The Larne volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat Terry on Thursday afternoon (20 July) following reports from a member of the public of an 8ft punt with two on board having engine difficulties in Drains Bay, Co Antrim.

Terry and crew were quickly on scene and found the vessel making way near Larne Promenade. The crew checked that the two people on board were not in distress and had a means of calling for help if need be.

“This incident proved to be a false alarm with good intent and we would like to thank the concerned member of the public who alerted the coastguard,” said Larne RNLI deputy launching authority Philip Ford-Hutchinson.

“We would encourage anyone taking to the water to always wear a life jacket, ensure your vessel and equipment are in good working order, check the weather and tide and always carry a means of calling for help. If you see someone in trouble on the coast always dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

#Vandalism - Vandals have caused an estimated £800 (€900) worth of damage to an RNLI lifeguard unit at Whiterocks on the Causeway Coast.

Following two of the busiest days of the summer season so far in Northern Ireland, the RNLI team at Whiterocks arrived at work yesterday morning (Wednesday 19 July) to see that their unit, located near the entrance to the North Coast beach, had been extensively damaged.

The charity’s lifeguards discovered that the vandals had left behind broken bottles and a barbecue, while the unit’s aerial mount required for VHF communications had also been damaged.

A large rock which had been thrown at the hut damaged the unit’s outer skin, piercing the inner plywood and leaving a two-inch hole in the unit, which was also covered with indecent graffiti.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Karl O’Neill said the damage to the aerial mount had threatened vital VHF communications, while the rock damage meant the unit was no longer watertight.

“Our lifeguards rely on the aerial to communicate with each other when on patrol and to communicate with their colleagues in the coastguard in the event of an emergency,” he said. 

“Thankfully the damage has not rendered our communications off-service but should it have, and should it have happened during the last two days, which brought thousands of people to our beaches to enjoy the good weather, lives could have been put at risk.

“It is very disappointing for our lifeguards, who have been working hard to keep people safe, to turn up this morning after two busy days and see the unit they need to carry out their job has been so badly damaged. It really does dampen spirits.”

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 PSNI who have appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.

“We would appeal to those doing this damage to be mindful that the RNLI is a charity,” said O’Neill. “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 at Whiterocks and on all lifeguarded beaches on the Causeway Coast is to make sure the beach can be enjoyed safely by the public. We want them to be able to continue to do that safely and with peace of mind.”

Carrybridge RNLI in County Fermanagh launched this morning in response to a report of a gas explosion on a vessel at a marina in Carrybridge.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch both their inshore lifeboat and Rescue Water Craft at 11.08am following the report from Belfast Coastguard that the explosion had happened on a vessel thought to have one person onboard.

The lifeboat helmed by Chris Cathcart and with crew members Adrian Quigley and Nigel Carson onboard launched immediately along with the station’s Rescue Water Craft with Kyle Boyd and Jen Bailey onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were overcast with light winds and fair visibility.

With initial unconfirmed reports that someone may be on the vessel, a full search was requested with Carrybridge RNLI as on scene commander.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service and the PSNI attended while the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo was also tasked.

During the search, the lifeboat learned that a man who had been on the boat had been removed from the scene prior to the emergency services arrival by a member of the public from the shoreline and was taken to hospital for further treatment.

Following the completion of a full search, all agencies were stood down.

Speaking following the call out, Carrybridge RNLI Helm Chris Cathcart said: ‘We would like to wish the man who had been on the boat well following what must have been a frightening experience for him. We would also like to commend the member of the public on the shore who came to his assistance. Today’s call out was a good example of multiple agencies responding well together.

‘We would remind all visitors to the lough during the boating season to ensure they do regular checks on their vessels so everything is in working order. When on the water, always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling for help. Always check the weather and tide times and make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

#RNLI - Newcastle RNLI was involved in a major air, sea and land search at Tyrella on the Co Down coast last night (Monday 17 July) after walkers reported seeing someone struggling in the sea.

Newcastle RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Eliza and her volunteer crew were tasked along with members of Newcastle Coastguard, local PSNI and their air support helicopter to the area shortly before 9pm last night.

It followed reports from four women who were walking on the beach that there may be a person in difficulty in the water.

A comprehensive search was carried out for almost two hours before the operation was stood down with nothing found.

Newcastle RNLI volunteer lifeboat helm Nathan Leneghan said: “Conditions were ideal for searching with very few waves and just the right amount of sunlight. 

“We know Tyrella is a very popular beach and with the favourable weather at the moment we advise people to always try to swim at lifeguarded beaches and respect the water.

“We would rather be called out for a genuine false alarm than be called out too late. These women took the right action and should be commended.”

Newcastle RNLI advises the public that if they see someone in trouble on or near the water to dial 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the coastguard.

#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI was called to assist two sailors when their 17ft Fireball dinghy was holed and began to sink on Lough Ree on Saturday evening (15 July).

The crew of Lough Ree lifeboat The Eric Rowse were alerted by the Irish Coast Guard at 7pm when the sailors called for assistance over their portable VHF radio. 

The Fireball was sinking after the rudder bracket broke away from the hull, causing the buoyancy tanks to fill with water.

Weather conditions at the time was wet and windy, with a Force 4-5 breeze, frequent showers and moderate visibility.

The lifeboat crew were on scene within minutes and recovered the two sailors, who had capsized the boat in order to slow the filling of the buoyancy tanks. 

After establishing that both men were uninjured, the lifeboat crew and the sailors proceeded to turn the dinghy upright and lower the sails, and then towed it to the nearest island.

On reaching Beam Island, the five baled the water out of the dinghy and examined the damage to the hull, before towing the vessel to Lough Ree Yacht Club where it was recovered from the water.

Lough Ree RNLI helm Stan Bradbury said: “We were very happy to assist these experienced sailors when they ran into difficulty on the lake. 

“Equipment failure can, and does, happen at unexpected times; these two had taken the necessary precautions before leaving shore, and followed the correct procedures to achieve a good outcome if anything went wrong.

“Calling for assistance early, before you become excessively cold or tired, is the best course of action if you find yourself in difficulty on the water.”

Saturday’s callout came days after an exceptionally busy week for the Midlands lifeboat crew, in which they assisted 30 people on seven vessels over a five-day period.

#RNLI - Larne RNLI was involved in a multi-agency rescue yesterday afternoon (Sunday 16 July) after a cyclist fell between as much as 15 feet from the Coast Road north of Ballygally in Co Antrim.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch both their all-weather and inshore lifeboats at 10.15am following a report from Belfast Coastguard that the cyclist had fallen down a steep slope onto a rocky shore half a mile north of Ballygally.

Larne and Ballycastle Coastguard also responded along with personnel from both the fire and rescue service and the ambulance service.

Weather conditions were good at the time of the launch, with a north-westerly wind and a calm sea.

Once on scene, two crew members from the all-weather lifeboat went ashore with the inshore lifeboat crew to help with moving the the casualty from the beach.

The cyclist was assessed by a doctor and paramedic from the ambulance service, and a decision was made to transfer him from the beach via the inshore lifeboat to the care of ambulance personnel.

Speaking following the callout, Larne RNLI helm Pamela Leitch said: “Due to the nature of the cyclist’s fall, the position for extraction was challenging via land and the best decision was to remove him from the beach side. 

“We would like to wish the cyclist a speedy recovery following what must have been a frightening experience for him. Today’s call out was a great example of different agencies working well together to bring someone to safety.”

#Rescue - Bundoran RNLI is reminding anyone planning a trip to the coast this summer to be mindful of the dangers of rip currents that can quickly sweep you out to sea.

The advice comes as Bundoran’s volunteer lifeboat crew launched yesterday morning (Saturday 15 July) following reports of several people in difficulty in the sea off Tullan Strand.

It emerged that a group of GAA footballers had been training on the beach and went swimming to cool down following their session.

The strong currents at Tullan soon began to carry a number of them out to sea and into the rocks.

Concerned onlookers immediately called the Irish Coast Guard, and within minutes both the inshore lifeboat from Bundoran and the Sligo-based Rescue 118 helicopter were at the scene.

Meanwhile, a group of quick-thinking surfers — one of whom is crew member with Bundoran RNLI — entered the water on boards and helped the footballers to safety.

On arrival, the lifeboat ensured that all casualties were out of the water, while Rescue 118 landed on Tullan Strand and also made sure that everyone was accounted for.

The lifeboat crew trained in first aid assisted eight of the players, some who were bruised and some who had swallowed sea water before ambulances arrived. 

A number of the casualties were taken to Sligo University Hospital as a precaution.

Following the incident, Bundoran RNLI helm James Cassidy reminded anyone planning a trip to the area of the potential dangers.

“Thankfully everyone is safe this afternoon and we would like to wish the group well following what must have been a frightening experience,” he said.

“We would remind locals and visitors alike that Tullan Strand and particularly the area along the cliffs is notorious for rip currents and under currents and is really not suitable for swimming.

“Rips are strong currents running out to sea which can catch even the most experienced beachgoers out. They can take you from the shallows very quickly and leave you out of your depth.”

Cassidy said Bundoran’s main beach is supervised by lifeguards all summer long and provides the best option for safe, supervised swimming during the summer period.

“Should you get caught in a rip, the best advice is to stay calm and don’t panic,” he added. “If you can stand, wade. Don’t try to swim. If you have an inflatable or board, keep hold of it to help you float. Raise your hand and shout for help loudly. 

“Don’t swim directly against the rip or you will get exhausted. Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for shore.”

Further sea safety advice can be found on www.respectthewater.com.

#RNLI - Baltimore RNLI assisted two sailors yesterday afternoon (Friday 14 July) after their motorboat broke down off the coast of West Cork.

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 2.25pm following a report from the sailors that their vessel had got into difficulty off Toe Head.

Helmed by Youen Jacob and with crew members Pat O’Mahony and Colin Rochford on board, the lifeboat launched immediately and was on scene in 25 minutes.

The 22ft motorboat had broken down half a mile west of Toe Head and had secured an anchor. Weather conditions at the time were relatively good, with a Force 3-4 south-westerly wind and a sea swell of 2-3m.

The lifeboat crew established a tow and brought the vessel safely back to Baltimore Harbour before returning to the station at 4.35pm.

“The sailors did the right thing today requesting assistance when required,” said Baltimore RNLI lifeboat operations manager Tom Bushe. “We would remind everyone enjoying our coast this summer to always respect the water.”

Shore crew in attendance at the station were Rianne and Jerry Smith, Kate Callanan, Marty O’Driscoll and Aidan Bushe.

#RNLI - Union Hall RNLI went to the aid of a yacht with two people onboard yesterday evening (Thursday 13 July) after the vessel got into difficulty half a mile east of Castlehaven Harbour in West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was alerted at 5.26pm by Valentia Coast Guard to reports of a 28ft yacht that had fouled its propeller.

The lifeboat was launched and on scene within 20 minutes. Weather conditions at the time were good and the sea was calm.

Two whale watching boats, Voyager and Liscannor Star, stood by the casualty vessel until the lifeboat crew arrived and worked with the two men onboard to attach a tow line to the yacht.



The lifeboat then towed the yacht to the safety of Reen Pier before returning to Union Hall, joined by a pod of dolphins along the way.

Speaking following the callout, Union Hall RNLI deputy launching authority Peter Deasy said: “We were happy to assist the sailors this evening on what was the first callout for our only female crew member, Sarah Browne.”

#RNLI - Red Bay RNLI rescued a woman who fell while climbing Fair Head in Co Antrim yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 12 July).

The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat around 2pm following a request from Belfast Coastguard to go to the scene north-east of Ballycastle.

The shore-based Ballycastle Coastguard rescue team also made their way to the location, while the coastguard helicopter from Prestwick was additionally tasked.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good, with sunny weather and calm seas.

Once on scene, the lifeboat transferred two of its crew members who went ashore to assess the casualty, who had sustained a leg injury. 

The crew then began to administer casualty care and worked to reassure the injured woman until the arrival of a paramedic from the rescue helicopter. 

The woman was airlifted to Belfast City Airport and transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment.

Speaking following the callout, Red Bay RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Paddy McLaughlin said: “We would like to wish the woman a speedy recovery from her injury and thank our colleagues in the coastguard who we worked with to bring her to safety.

“As the summer continues, we want to encourage the public to enjoy everything the coast has to offer but we want them to come home safely.

“Fair Head is a popular spot for climbers but it is remotely located and can be challenging so walkers and hikers alike need to go prepared with the right clothing, equipment and training and take extreme care.

“We would remind anyone planning a trip to or near the sea to respect the water and be wary of all edges around the sea. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. 

“Always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty use it to call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”