Carrybridge RNLI volunteers assisted two vessels in difficulty over four days in late September.

On September 22, at 2.50pm, the inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard after a nine-metre vessel with two people on board ran aground about two miles west of Kilmore Quay. The lifeboat crew found both people safe, wearing lifejackets. The vessel had no water ingress but was grounded in shallow water. The crew assessed that independent recovery was safest, helped the owner contact a recovery company, and returned to station after advising the occupants to call the coastguard if needed.

This was the first operational callout for Matthew Nelson, who became Carrybridge RNLI's newest helm on August 19.

The earlier incident occurred on September 18. While launching for a training exercise, the lifeboat crew came upon a vessel struggling to moor in complete darkness. They checked that everyone on board was safe and the vessel in good condition. At the owner's request, three volunteers guided the vessel to a public jetty at Carrybridge until it was safely moored, then resumed training.

Carrybridge RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Chris Cathcart urged boat users to take extra care as evenings darken. He advised boaters to moor safely before darkness, plan routes with charts, allow extra time, have a means to call for assistance, and ensure lifejackets for everyone on board.

Anyone in trouble on the water or seeing someone in difficulty should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.