Carrybridge RNLI were tasked with rescuing a number of people from a broken-down fishing vessel near Enniskillen's Ardhowen Theatre this afternoon.
At 3.24pm, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a training exercise to assess a 3-metre vessel with four people on board who had flagged down the lifeboat approximately a quarter mile downstream of the theatre.
With excellent and clear weather conditions at the time, the volunteer crew came alongside the vessel and assessed the four persons on board, finding them to be safe and well, and wearing their lifejackets.
With the casualty vessel's engine unable to restart, the four crewmembers on board were transferred to the lifeboat, whereupon the lifeboat helm towed the vessel back to the public jetty at the Killyhevlin hotel, where they were met by the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team and safely moored the vessel.
Speaking following the call-out, Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Helm at Carrybridge RNLI, advised all boat users: ‘‘As the boating season commences on Lough Erne in the coming weeks we would ask all water users before setting out on your journey to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel.
"Make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board, and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.
"If you see someone or something in trouble on the water, or are in difficulties yourself, the number to dial is 999 or 112, and ask for the Coastguard.’’
