Shortly before 9 am yesterday, HM Coastguard received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen a submerged speed boat with potential casualties in the water in Castor Bay in the south east corner of Lough Neagh.
Lifeboats from Lough Neagh Rescue – a voluntary search and rescue organisation based on the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, quickly made way to the area and found the vessel close to the shore but it had taken on water. On initial search, no casualties appeared to be in the water. The crew moored the lifeboat at a nearby fishing quay and searched the shoreline, where they found parts of the boat with a few other items, including life jackets.
The speed boat was towed to the local fishing quay
Further information came from the Coastguard that the occupants of the boat had run aground last night and notified the PSNI but did not contact the Coastguard.
The speed boat was towed to the local fishing quay. Lough Neagh Rescue advises, "If you are out on the water and something like this happens and you don't require emergency assistance make sure and notify the Coastguard".
