Carrybridge RNLI Launches Three Times in Six Hours to Assist 13 People on Upper Lough Erne
- Pat Nolan
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
Tuessday 14 July 2026
Carrybridge RNLI volunteers were kept busy on Sunday, 12 July, launching three times in just six hours to assist a total of 13 people across Upper Lough Erne.
The first call came at 2.40pm when the charity's inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards, launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to provide casualty care for a 21-year-old woman who had sustained a deep laceration to her leg while in the water at Derryadd.
Weather conditions at the time were favourable, with easterly Force 3 winds, good visibility and clear skies.
On arrival, the volunteer crew found the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service already on scene treating the casualty. The lifeboat crew offered assistance before being stood down by Belfast Coastguard after the ambulance departed a short time later.
The crew launched again later that evening at 7.13pm following reports of a 17.5ft speedboat with four adults and one child on board that had lost drive approximately half a mile south-west of Belleisle.
After arriving on scene, four of the casualties were transferred to the lifeboat while one crew member boarded the disabled vessel to assess the situation. Given the vessel's location and the potential navigational hazard it posed to other water users who may have attempted a rescue, the decision was made to tow the speedboat safely back to Carrybridge with the owner's permission.
Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team was waiting at Carrybridge Public Slipway to assist with the safe mooring of the vessel before it was recovered onto its trailer.
However, before that incident had concluded, Belfast Coastguard requested the lifeboat divert to a third emergency near Tamlaght Bay, where a 24.5ft sports cruiser carrying seven people had broken down.
The lifeboat diverted at 8.31pm and, on arrival, found all seven people safe and well, although the vessel could not be restarted.
Following an assessment, the crew determined that, with the vessel disabled in a busy area of the lough and daylight beginning to fade, the safest option was to tow the cruiser back to Carrybridge with the owner's permission.
Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team was also redirected from the earlier incident to assist with the safe mooring of the vessel at its private berth.
Speaking after the incidents, Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Scott reminded all water users of the importance of preparing before heading afloat.
"During the busy holiday season when our waterways are busy we would ask all water users to carry out regular maintenance to their vessels, to have charts to aid navigation for the area you are in, lifejackets for all on board and have 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, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
