Carrybridge RNLI assist 5 people in separate rescues over a 24 hour period

Monday 4 August 2025

At 4.14pm on Friday 1 August, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess an 8 metre vessel with two people on board, which had broken down approx. 1 mile North West of Derryadd slipway.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 5 people in separate rescues over 24 hour period. Photo Credit: RNLI/Carrybridge

Winds were North Westerly, Force 2. Visibility was good with part cloudy skies.

The volunteer crew located and came alongside the casualty vessel and assessed the three people on board who were safe and well and wearing lifejackets. After checking the vessel, it was found that the engine had stopped and could not be restarted. As the boat was in the navigation channel the helm deemed the safest option to take was to tow the vessel. With the owner’s permission, the boat was towed to Lisnaskea Boat Club to meet with Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team.

At 3.30pm on Saturday 2 August the lifeboat was tasked again by Belfast Coastguard and the weather remained the same as the previous day.

This time the boat was asked to assess a 10 metre twin engine craft with three crew which had lost steering and also engine power on one engine. They had broken down 1 mile downstream of Carrybridge. The crew located the casualties who were safe and well and wearing lifejackets. When the lifeboat crew arrived on scene the casualty had got into difficulties in a narrow part of the channel with a lot of other water users in the area.

The quickest and safest course of action open to the helm was, with the owner’s permission, to setup a tow and take the vessel into safer water. The vessel was towed back to the owners private mooring at Carrybridge. Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team were again able to meet the lifeboat and casualty vessel and helped secure it to the jetty and assist the people further.

Speaking following the call out, Stephen Scott, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘During 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 to their vessels and have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble as well as having lifejackets for all on board. Currently there is a lot of weed growth on Upper Lough Erne and it is worth watching for areas of heavier growth you would want to avoid.

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.’’