19 rescued from cruisers over weekend

OVER three days last week, volunteers at the two RNLI stations in Fermanagh, at the Lough Erne Yacht Club and Carry Bridge, rescued 19 people, including three children, in four ‘shouts’ (call outs) on Upper and Lower Lough Erne.

The first ‘shout’ was to assist three people from a stricken boat on Upper Lough Erne on Thursday evening last, 9th August.

The RNLI crew, based at Carry Bridge, were able to establish communication with the casualty vessel via VHF radioed requested from the Coastguard.

Using their inshore boat and rescue water craft, they launched the inshore lifeboat at 6.27pm, just minutes ahead of what was a routine training night for the station.

The message sent from Belfast Coastguard explained that that the passengers onboard had radioed for help after their boat had broken down.

A spokesman or the RNLI said weather conditions at the time were ‘good’, with no wind, and waters flat calm.