Portrush RNLI launched to Mayday call near Portstewart
Portrush RNLI launched to Mayday call near Portstewart
Lifeboats News Release
Portrush RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Coastguard at 12:50pm this afternoon (Saturday 19 August) to respond to a Mayday call made by a pleasure boat taking on water between Portstewart and Barmouth.
RNLI/Portrush
Portrush RNLI launched to Mayday call near Portstewart
Launching at 1:15pm in force 5 winds and moderate seas, the Portrush all-weather lifeboat made its way to the vessel which had three people on board. With reports that the vessel had sank and three people in the water, Portrush lifeboat arrived on scene within minutes joining Rescue 118 helicopter, and three other local boats who had also responded to the Mayday call joined the search.
One of the other local boats spotted the casualties and her crew brought two casualties back to Harbour. Portrush all-weather lifeboat picked up the other casualty and returned to Harbour where they were met by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, HMCG.
Beni McAllister Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portrush said:
'The three casualties were very lucky in that they had buoyancy aids and also means of communication to call for help. Thank you too to our local boatowners who responded so quickly to the call.’
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RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Judy Nelson Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07736923936 or on [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 00353 87 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
