For emergencies on Lough Neagh and it’s tributary rivers call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Callout 614


Tonight at 19:26hrs HM Coastguard paged LNR and requested immediate launch of the Ardboe and Kinnego Lifeboats to a 17ft speedboat located 1 mile west of Gawleys Gate, with 2 persons on board that was taking on water and sinking.
HM Coastguard issued a mayday relay to all vessels in the area and tasked a SAR helicopter also.
Both the Ardboe & Kinnego lifeboats quickly launched and proceeded to the area to search, the Ardboe lifeboat located the vessel which was almost completely submerged and had both casualties in the water clinging to the vessel. Both casualties were retrieved from the water and taken on board the lifeboat, an ambulance was requested and asked to meet at Crumlin Marina (Sandy Bay).
The Ardboe lifeboat proceeded to Crumlin Marina and whilst in the marina the casualties were assessed and handed into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, treated for hypothermia and taken to hospital for further observation / treatment.
During the time in Crumlin Marina LNR was tasked to another incident (detailed separately in Callout 615), Kinnego Lifeboat responded to this incident.
The Ardboe Lifeboat then proceeded back to the scene to assess if the submerged vessel could be retrieved, fortunately the air pocket in the bow of the vessel was uncompromised and the crew were able to attach a tow line, re-float and cautiously bring the vessel safely to shore.
This was a time critical incident and the skipper on board the casualty vessel did everything right, firstly both persons on board were wearing PFD’d (Personal Flotation Devices), at the first sign of trouble they contacted the Coastguard, gave location of vessel, the nature of the emergency and the number of persons on board. This ultimately saved valuable time in the search and was a contributing factor to the successful outcome.
LNR has since learned that the casualties have been released from hospital and we wish them a speedy recovery. We would also like to thank the member of the public who provided an additional blanket for the casualties whilst in Crumlin Marina.
Ardboe Lifeboat back in base at 22:50hrs
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