Flares have been used in the rescue of a boater lost in thick fog in the Irish Sea.
Larne RNLI was asked by Belfast Coastguard to rescue a person in the 3.5-metre rigid inflatable boat one night in September. He became lost in thick fog south of the Copeland Islands while travelling to Donaghadee.
The all-weather lifeboat Dr John McSparran was launched, but there was little visibility, so flares were used.
The navigator estimated an earlier position of the vessel using tidal flow and wind speeds and the radar operator identified a small target.
The lifeboat crew found the casualty standing in the boat waving their arms. He was transferred to the lifeboat and was checked to ensure he was safe and well.
The boat and boater were both brought to Bangor Marina.
Larne RNLI’s Coxswain Frank Healy says, “This was an excellent response from our volunteer crew for a late-night call in an area we don’t usually get called to. Everyone did their job and we have had a successful outcome.”
The image is credited to RNLI/Steven Lee.
Source: RNLI
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