Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in separate call outs during holiday weekend

Monday 14 July 2025

At 1.31pm on Friday 11 July, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 4 metre vessel with five people on board, which had broken down near Bellanaleck. One of the crew onboard required medication that was located

Photo Credit: RNLI/Carrybridge

Winds were Southerly, Force 3. Visibility was excellent with clear skies.

The volunteer crew located and came alongside the casualty vessel and assessed the five persons on board who were safe and well and wearing lifejackets. The vessel was on the navigation channel and the decision was taken to tow the vessel, with the owners permission, to Bellanaleck to meet with the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team. A discussion took place and due to the heavy holiday traffic around Enniskillen it was decided that the fastest way for the crew members to get back to Enniskillen was by lifeboat. One of the adults and their three children were transferred to the lifeboat and brought to their accommodation. Following this the lifeboat returned to Bellanaleck and assisted the boat owner with their vessel.

At 4.35pm on Saturday 12 July the lifeboat was tasked by Belfast Coastguard and again in sunny conditions with light winds.

This time the boat was asked to assess a 8.5 meter yacht which had become grounded approx. 1 mile North West of Knockninny. The crew located the casualty who was safe and well and wearing a lifejacket. Due to the casualty’s location being close to the navigation channel and, with the owners permission, the safest option was to tow the vessel into deeper water. When the boat was refloated the vessel was again checked for water ingress and none was found. The casualty was able to restart their journey.

Speaking following the call out, Stephen Scott, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘During this recent spell of fantastic weather we have noticed more people making the most of our wonderful waterways. We would ask all water users to carry out regular maintenance to their vessels and always 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.’’