Carrybridge RNLI volunteers respond to two incidents on busy afternoon
Tuesday 6 October 2026
Carrybridge RNLI volunteers responded to two separate incidents on Saturday 3 October, assisting a grounded vessel before later helping a person who had fallen into the water close to the lifeboat station.
At 12.26pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a 10-metre vessel with two people on board which had run aground approximately one mile south-east of Naan Island.
Conditions at the time were favourable, with south-westerly winds at Force 1, good visibility and clear skies.
The volunteer crew quickly located the casualty vessel, which was aground just off the main navigation channel. Once alongside, the crew assessed the two people on board and found both to be safe and well and wearing lifejackets.
The lifeboat crew also carried out an assessment of the vessel. There was no water ingress and the vessel was in a safe condition, although it remained grounded in an area of shallow water.
Having assessed the situation, the lifeboat helm and crew determined that the safest course of action was for the vessel’s owner to arrange assistance from an independent recovery company to refloat the craft.
The situation was relayed to Belfast Coastguard, while the Carrybridge RNLI volunteers remained on scene with the vessel and its crew until the recovery company arrived.
The recovery company successfully refloated the vessel, after which the lifeboat crew thanked them for their assistance and carried out a further check of the casualty vessel and the two people on board. Once satisfied that all was well, the vessel was able to continue its onward journey under its own power.
Person falls into water close to lifeboat station
While the Carrybridge RNLI inshore lifeboat was attending the first incident, a second emergency unfolded close to the lifeboat station.
At approximately 2pm, station personnel who were at the lifeboat station assisting with the launch and recovery of the lifeboat witnessed a person fall into the water from their vessel close to the station’s slipway.
The vessel had drifted away from the jetty, with the person falling into the water between the vessel and the jetty.
Three station volunteers immediately rushed to the jetty and located the casualty, who was in the water but was able to stand on the bottom.
The volunteers checked whether the person had sustained any injuries and established that they were safe and well, although understandably shocked by what had happened.
With no other means available to retrieve the casualty, the volunteers successfully lifted them from the water and back onto their own jetty.
A further assessment found the person to be well. The volunteers provided towels to help them dry off before securing their vessel. The casualty was then able to make their own way home by road.
Speaking following the callouts, Stephen Scott, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI, reminded everyone using the waterways of the importance of preparation and safety.
“It’s great to see people enjoying the end of the summer boating season on our wonderful waterways. We would advise all boat users, before setting out on your journey, to please plan your route ahead using the relevant charts for the area, making sure to check the navigational marks on the water against those shown on your chart.
“Have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble and have lifejackets for all on board.
“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.”
The two incidents highlight the importance of planning ahead, carrying suitable means of communication and ensuring that everyone on board has access to a correctly fitted lifejacket.
