Plans to re-establish a Coastguard base in Fermanagh for Summer 2024 are underway by HM Coastguard.

It is understood that the Lough Erne team will be initially set up as a First Response Team, where the focus will be on commencing searches, assisting with helicopter landing sites, lifeboat reception, stretcher carries and broader casualty care.

The proposed base for the new Coast Guard Station is a unit within the Enniskillen Business Centre on the Lackaghboy Road.

‘Long time coming’

HM Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Ryan Gray, who will manage the team, said: “It’s been a long time coming. We have tried to get a team set up there several times over the years, but Covid, among other things, really delayed it.”

“Northern Ireland has a lot of waterways and so we do not only handle coastal issues, it’s quite unique in that respect. Lough Erne and Lough Neagh are popular spots for tourists and locals alike to use and we do respond to incidents here.

“If you look at how often the team are in action at Lough Neagh, assisting authorities and responding to a number of incidents, you could see how a team at Lough Erne would be similarly useful – our nearest team is two hours away currently.”

A recruitment exercise took place last weekend (Saturday, November 25 and Sunday 26) where potential recruits watched a multi-agency exercise stimulation for a missing person at Devenish Island.

For more information on becoming a volunteer with HM Coastguard, please visit https://www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard/how-to-apply for more information.