Both Portrush lifeboats launched on emergency calls inside 20 minutes
Both of Portrush’s lifeboats were launched to separate incidents within 20 minutes of each other on Saturday, July 18.
The inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested to launch at 6.25pm to a jetski that had capsized at the West Strand. The ILB volunteer crew recovered the jetski and brought back it to the beach.
In the meatime, the all weather lifeboat (ALB) was requested to launch at 6.45 pm to reports of three persons being cut off by the tide at Dunseverick.
Conditions for both launches were perfect with clear skies and excellent visibility albeit with a slight swell. The ALB arrived on scene at Dunseverick at 7.30pm. The situation was assessed by the crew and it was decided to deploy a small, inflatable rescue boat from the main lifeboat to get close to the shore to rescue the persons cut off by the tide. The crew was then able to get to the casulaties and return them to Dunseverick Harbour.
The casualties sustained some minor injuries, but otherwise were unharmed.
Charles Grossie, RNLI Launch Authority, said: “Our volunteer crew assured the casualties that they had done the right thing by dialling 999 and alerting the Coastguard, so we could ensure their safety.
"This is the type of of incident our crew train for and are just glad that the were able to get the group to safety. It’s always advisable to check the tides and the weather conditions as well as always carrying a means of calling for help if required.”
The lifeboat left the scene 8.30pm and returned to station at 9.20pm