Bangor RNLI volunteers attend sinking boat at Crawfordsburn beach
At 4.39pm on. Sunday 18 5 25, the volunteer’s’ pagers sounded for the second time today. On this occasion HM Coastguard requested the Bangor lifeboat to assist them at Crawfordsburn beach following reports of an 18-ft speed boat taking on water.
The lifeboat crew made best speed to the scene and once there discovered anxa018-ftxa0speed boat underwater.
The single occupant of the boat had managed to make it unaided to the shore and was assisted by HM Coastguard shore team before being transferred into the hands of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for shock treatment.
It was not clear at the scene what had caused the boat to take on water and eventually sink.
The lifeboat helm Gavin Mitchell assessed the situation and with thexa0strickenxa0boat not causing any obstruction to marine traffic or environmental harm it was decided that the boat was unrecoverable.
The lifeboat was stood down by the Coastguard and returned to Bangor station where she was refuelled, washed and made ready for her next service at 6.25pm.
Following the call out lifeboat helm Gavin Mitchell said ‘Always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling for help and ensure you know how to use it’
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RNLI Comes To Rescue Of Kite Surfer
Bangor RNLI volunteers launch to rescue a Kite Surfer in difficulty
At 8.49amxa0today 19 5 25, Belfast Coastguard paged the volunteers of Bangor lifeboat following reports of a Kite Surfer in difficulty inxa0Ballyholmexa0Bay. Bangor lifeboat Ruby Robinson launched at 9.00amxa0and made best speed toxa0Ballyholmexa0bay.
On arrival they found the casualty Kite Surfer in the water quite exhausted and unable to remount his board. The crew brought the casualtyxa0onboardxa0and retrieved his equipment from the water.
The boat crew liaised with HM Coastguard and the decision was made to bring the casualty ashore and hand him over into the care of the Coastguard shore team.
Once this had been successfully completed the lifeboat was returned to Bangor station an made ready for her next service at 10.05am.
Greeting the lifeboat Ruby Robinson back into the station were Jason and Vicky Clarke family members for the late Denis Filby, the donor of the lifeboat that was officially named yesterday.
Speaking after this mornings call out Bangor lifeboat helm James Gillespie said: ‘We had a good outcome this morning and thanks to the member of the public who alerted us about then kite surfer in trouble.
“We would recommend that it is always better to kite with another person and never to ride out further than you can swim back.
“It was great that Jason and Vicky saw their uncles legacy at work and witnessed the valuable contributionxa0Ruby Robinsonxa0is making to Belfastxa0Lough”.
