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Larne Lifeboat Shouts 2006

ILB launched to assist the skipper of a local fishing vessel who was unable to get ashore from his moored vessel due to SSW gale force 8 winds gusting up to storm force 10

The casualty was recovered from his moored vessel and landed safely ashore at East Antrim Boat Club

With the casualty safely ashore the ILB was released and returned to station, being made "ready for service" at 17:41UTC

Jet ski in difficulty 24/09/06 ILB 17:59BST

The ILB and Port Muck Coastguard were tasked in response to reports of a personal water craft in difficulties in Brown’s Bay.

On arrival on scene the casualty was under tow by a local vessel.  In view of the fact the owner of the PWC had suffered an asthma attack, Port Muck Coastguard requested the ILB to accompany the casualty until safely ashore.

With the casualty safely ashore in the care of Port Muck CG, the ILB was released and returned to station being “ready for service” at 18:28BST

ILB launch requested by Belfast MRCC to locate and rescue Shetland angling boat with 3POB believed to be approx 4M north of Muck.

ILB Hannahbella Ferguson proceeded and observed vessel answering description about 0.5M north of Skernaghan Point. Investigation confirmed that this was the casualty and the 3POB were well.

Casualty taken in tow to Ballylumford Harbour and handed over to care of Port Muck Coastguard.

Hannahbella Ferguson was released and returned to station RFS 1700BST completing her first shout since her return from repairs on the 20/7/06.

Hannahbella Ferguson, just returned to Larne after repairs on the 20/7/06, was called into action on the 22/7/06 to tow in a broken down boat to Ballylumford.  She is pictured here on exercise by Colin Watson.

Angling Vessels Lost in Fog 21/07/06 ALB 2301BST

Launch requested by Belfast MRCC to locate 2 small angling vessels, one with 2POB, the other with 3POB, lost in fog to the north of Larne Lough.

Initial information gave approximate position for one casualty, but no information for second casualty. Information from Larne VTS gave a likely target about 8 cables NNW of No1 buoy which tallied with the original information.

ALB Dr John McSparran proceeded and, in visibility down to 10m, established radio contact with first casualty. Using a combination of RDF and radar the casualty was located. During this process the first casualty confirmed that the second casualty was with them.

When visual contact was established and all on board were verified as safe and well, the ALB led both casualties under their own power to the safety of Ballylumford Harbour. By this time visibility inside the harbour had improved sufficiently that the ALB could observe both casualties safely berthed at Ballylumford.

ALB released and returned to station.  
RFS 0022BST 22/07/06

Dr John McSparran was out to rescue angling vessels lost in fog off the mouth of Larne Lough on 21/7/06.  The Trent class lifeboatis photographed here leaving Larne on exercise on the 25/6/06.

ILB launch requested by Belfast MRCC to investigate report of small cabin cruiser drifting north from Brown's Bay towards the Hunter Rock.

ILB proceeded and located casualty approximately half-way between shore and South Hunter Cardinal Buoy with no persons on board.

With further information and enquiries ashore by Port Muck CG, the owner was located at a campsite nearby.

The casualty vessel was towed to Brown's Bay and handed over to the care of Port Muck CG who gave the owner safety advice.

ILB released 1034BST and returned to station ready for service at 1052BST.

Both Larne's lifeboats were launched to evacuate an adult male who had slipped on the rocks at Skernaghan Point, Islandmagee and was unconscious.  Port Muck CG and NI Ambulance Service personnel already in attendance.

With difficult terrain and some distance to the ambulance, the CG on scene requested that the casualty be evacuated by sea to English's Port, Islandmagee.

With the ALB providing illumination and safety cover the ILB was held to the rocks while the casualty was stretchered on board.  The casualty was then taken at slow speed to English's Port and landed back into the care of the NIAS paramedics for onward transport to Antrim Area Hospital

Both boats were released and returned in company to station.  ALB ready for service at 0118BST with ILB ready for service at 0133BST.

ALB Windsor Runner was tasked to rescue an angler whose 5.5m boat had broken down approx 0.7M from Muck Island.  Owner had tried to start his auxiliary motor without success and was being swept southwards towards Belfast Lough by the strong flood tide.

ALB proceeded and located the casualty 1.5M south of Muck Island.  A crew member was put onboard the casualty to assist the owner with rigging a towing bridle.

Tow established and casualty taken to mooring at Larne Lough.  With casualty secured, the owner was landed ashore to the care of Larne CG. 

ALB was released, ready for service 2230BST.

Pictured right top: Windsor Runner leaves Larne at speed to assist the broken down angling boat.  Bottom: ALB returns to Larne with the angling boat in tow.

ALB Dr John McSparran launch requested to search for a 5.5m dory with an angling party of 4 person reported overdue.

ALB proceeded north from Larne and commenced search pattern at Garron Point.  Meanwhile Red Bay LB was also launched to assist with the search.

Casualty vessel located by Red Bay LB with 4 persons on board all well.

Casualty was escorted to Waterfoot Pier and the ALB released.

ALB returned to station and refuelled ready for service at 1800BST.

ILB Hannahbella Ferguson launch was requested by Belfast MRCC who had received reports of a cabin cruiser apparently in difficulty in Larne Lough with strong SE winds and very choppy sea state.

ILB proceeded and located casualty with no persons on board.  Shore enquiries confirmed that the owner was safe ashore and that the vessel had broken adrift from her moorings.

Casualty was taken in tow to moorings at East Antrim Boat Club.

ILB returned to station and was taken out of service at 1430BST due to damage sustained during service.

Larne's ILB was launched to investigate reports of a dinghy drifting in Larne Lough.  Casualty vessel was quickly located and Helm reported no persons on board.

Belfast MRCC were concerned that there may be missing persons and requested launch of the ALB.  A thorough search of the area was commenced while enquires were made ashore by Larne CG to establish ownership of the vessel.

With positive confirmation that the owner was safely ashore, both lifeboats were released and returned to station.

The ALB was ready for service again at 1100UTC with the ILB ready for service at 1119UTC.

Disabled Coaster   12/03/06          0429UTC

ALB Dr John McSparran tasked to 1499GRT coaster “SESAM” disabled due to engine failure and drifting towards the Copeland Islands driven by SE severe gale force winds.  Donaghadee LB had already been tasked but Belfast MRSC required additional resources to deal with the casualty.

In SE gale force winds gusting to 55 knots, the best speed that could be made was 12/13knots resulting in the lifeboat arriving on scene two hours later at 0648UTC.

The original plan was, if necessary, to establish tow lines from both lifeboats to hold her clear of the land pending the arrival of a tug with an ETA of 0900hours.  However the combination of a slight wind veer and the start of the flood tide made the casualty’s drift northerly rather than north-westerly so both lifeboats were requested to stand by the casualty until the tug arrived.

ILV “GRANUAILE” arrived on scene shortly after 0830UTC.  Having assessed the situation, she requested Larne LB to take a messenger line to the casualty so that a tow line could be established.  Once the first tow line was set up Larne LB was again requested to take a messenger line for the second tow line.

With both lines rigged and the casualty in tow towards the shelter of Belfast Lough, Donaghadee LB was requested to stand by the tow and Larne LB was released.

The ALB returned to station at 1145UTC and was refuelled “Ready for Service” at 1215UTC

Larne (foreground) and Donaghdee lifeboats taken from Granuaile

Messenger line being passed by Dr John McSparran from Granuaile to Sesam