RNLI’s warning on alcohol after early morning rescue
A MAN rescued after losing his way off the local coast has highlighted the pivotal role of the local RNLI, which this year marks its 200 anniversary.
The crew of the Donaghadee lifeboat had to launch on Tuesday after being paged about reports of a ‘man in a boat unsure of his location’.
The rescue also served to highlight the dangers of being out on the water after consuming alcohol, after it was reported a relative of the stranded man said he was under the influence of alcohol.
The crew was summoned by Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre after receiving the report of a man in a small boat in the vicinity of the Copeland Islands, just after 7am.
With a crew of seven onboard, RNLI lifeboat Macquarie was launched into ‘favourable conditions’ commencing their search around Big Copeland Island and Donaghadee Sound.
The Bangor Coastguard shore team provided support, with its team also scanning the coastline for any signs of the boat.
At approximately 7.45am the crew of the lifeboat located the casualty roughly 1.5 miles east of Donaghadee Harbour.
“The casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat where the crew completed a casualty assessment and determined he was very cold and possibly with an injury to his leg,” confirmed an RNLI spokeswoman.
The dingy the man had been using belonged to someone else, and was brought on board the lifeboat before being returned to its owner in Donaghadee Harbour.
On return to the harbour the casualty was passed into the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team and also in attendance was the Ambulance Service and the PSNI.
Following the call out, Margaret Ramm, Lifeboat Press Officer at Donaghadee Lifeboat Station commented: “We are all relieved that on this occasion there was a good outcome. We cannot stress enough the dangers of going to sea under the influence of alcohol, and also without adequate safety equipment.
“If you have concerns for anyone at sea the importance for asking for help at the earliest opportunity really is vital – dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard,” she said.
The call out came as the RNLI personnel from Donaghadee took part in the charity’s ‘One Moment for One Crew’ event, staged to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary year.
Lifeboat crews from throughout the UK and Ireland took a photograph of their RNLI volunteers which will be combined in a montage to mark the special anniversary.
Pic 1
