Carrybridge RNLI volunteer crew respond to three call outs over busy weekend on Lough Erne

Tuesday 21 July 2026

Carrybridge RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew responded to three separate call outs over a busy weekend on Lough Erne, assisting stranded vessels and helping to locate an overdue person, as warm weather brought increased activity to the water.

Carrybridge RNLI assist 6 people in 3 separate call outs during a busy weekend

At 2.35pm on Saturday 18 July, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 14 metre narrow boat with two people on board, which had run aground approx. 2 miles West of Kilmore Quay. Winds were Northerly, Force 3. Visibility was good with clear skies.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat 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, however it was grounded in an area of very shallow water.

The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s location and its status of being aground, the helm 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. This information was relayed onto Belfast Coastguard and the volunteer crew remained with the casualty vessel and its crew until the recovery company arrived on scene. Once their craft was successfully refloated, the lifeboat crew thanked the recovery company for their assistance, and the casualty vessel was then able to proceed under its own power on its onward journey.

The following afternoon, Sunday 19 July at 2.00pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 5 metre vessel with three people and a small dog on board, which had lost power after hitting a submerged object. The vessel was drifting into the main navigation channel and was unable to navigate safely out of the way of other boat users due to its loss of propulsion.

Weather conditions remained the same with Northerly winds, Force 3. Visibility was good with clear skies.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the three people on board and their small dog and found them to be safe and well and all wearing their lifejackets. The casualty vessel was checked, and all was found to be in a safe condition with no water ingress. The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel’s close proximity to stoney island shorelines, and also a possible navigational hazard for other cruisers who could attempt a rescue, a decision was made that the safest course of action was to carry out a tow and safely bring the vessel back to Carrybridge with the owner’s permission.

Two of the casualties were transferred to the lifeboat whilst a lifeboat crew member transferred to the casualty craft to monitor the tow and remain with the remaining casualty person and their dog. On arrival at Carrybridge the casualty vessel and the people on board were handed over into the care of the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team who secured the vessel. The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat then returned to station where it was left ready for service again.

In the early hours of this morning, Monday 20 July at 12.22am, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was further launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assist the PSNI and the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team in a search for an overdue person in a 4.5 metre vessel which had left Belturbet to return to Derryadd Public Jetty but had not arrived back after a number of hours.

Winds remained Northerly, Force 3. Visibility was good in the hours of darkness.

The volunteer lifeboat crew made their way to Derryadd Public Jetty and on arrival received further updated information which assisted the crew in planning a detailed search pattern heading south of their location towards Belturbet. The crew commenced their search pattern towards Belturbet and after 45 minutes they located the casualty vessel floating close to a shoreline and along a reed bed, however the owner was not on board. The lifeboat crew assessed the casualty vessel, and two crew members were placed ashore to carry out a further search, where they located the owner of the vessel close by who had made it ashore from his vessel. This information was immediately relayed to Belfast Coastguard.

The lifeboat crew placed the casualty person onto the lifeboat, where they carried out a casualty care assessment on them, which showed signs that they were cold. The crew applied a wind shield to keep the casualty warm and then transported them the short distance to Bun Bridge Jetty where they were handed over into the care of the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team and the PSNI. The volunteer lifeboat crew also went and recovered the casualty vessel back to Bun Bridge Jetty where it was secured.

Once completed the crew onboard the Lifeboat then returned to station where it was left ready for service again.

Speaking following the call outs, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users:

‘‘This was a busy few days for the volunteer crew, whilst the lake became very busy with people making the most of the exceptional good weather which we have been encountering recently."

"Before setting out on your journey we would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel, make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board and 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 the number to dial is: 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’’