At 5.32 pm on Sunday, 14 January, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on Upper Lough Erne was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a vessel with four people on board, which had broken down 2 miles North of Carrybridge.
Winds were North Westerly, Force 1. Visibility was good.
The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat located the casualty vessel, which had drifted into the reeds on the shoreline. They then assessed the well-being of casualties and found them to be well.
The crew then assessed the casualty vessel and found that the boat had suffered from a loss of drive. Due to the darkness and the vessel's location, it was deemed that the safest option was to tow the vessel back to its nearby mooring at Bellanaleck. A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard the casualty’s boat during the towing process.
Speaking following the callouts, Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘At this time of year when there isn’t much boat movement on the water it is especially important before setting out to plan your journey, have the relevant charts required, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.