Enniskillen RNLI Launched After Longboat Runs Aground on Lough Erne

Sunday 17 May 2026

Volunteer crew members from the RNLI in Enniskillen were called into action after a longboat ran aground near marker 55K on Lough Erne.

Photo Credit: RNLI/Enniskillen

Just after 3.30pm on Friday 15 May, Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Ted Dawber, was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard following reports that the vessel had become stranded in the Rossiagh area. Weather conditions at the time were cloudy, with a light north-westerly wind.

The volunteer crew made the short journey to the scene where they located the casualty vessel and found the passenger onboard to be safe and well.

Following an assessment, it was established that confusion had been caused by a damaged marker in the area which had been temporarily replaced with a red buoy, leading to uncertainty over the correct entrance into the bay.

Due to the position of the barge and the surrounding environment, the RNLI crew determined that it would be safer to leave the vessel where it was rather than attempt an immediate refloat. The passenger was instead transferred safely to a nearby jetty where a friend’s vessel was moored.

For added security, the crew deployed an anchor from the grounded barge and passed its position to Belfast Coastguard. RNLI volunteers and members of the local coastguard team remained with the passenger while arrangements were made to refloat the vessel.

After ensuring the situation was stable and all involved were safe, the volunteer crew returned to station.

Speaking after the callout, helm Stephen Ingram praised the actions of the passenger and those involved in the response.

“The passenger did the right thing by phoning 999 and asking for Coastguard. We were happy to assist. Thank you to those involved who came in support of the rescue,” he said.