Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team

03/06/2026

May proved to be a busy month for the team with the following call-outs.

4th May 00.06
We were tasked to a property near Beleek where a person had fallen into the water. Although rescued by their family they had swallowed some water. Lough Erne assessed the casualty and arranged transport to further care at the hospital.

9th May 17:51
Tasked to two vessels which had broken down near Devenish Island. The team identified the vessels and ensured that they were safely under tow by our colleagues from PSNI and Enniskillen RNLI where we met both casualty vessels at their home marina.

10th May 12:42
Tasked to a person who had fallen into the water whilst mooring their boat at the Round O. We provided casualty care and liaised with NIAS to ensure that the person was taken to hospital.

23rd May 13:08
Tasked to broken down 35ft cruiser on the Upper Lough. Team stood down en-route.

23rd May 18:22
Tasked to vessel aground on the Upper Lough with 5 persons on board. Alongside our colleagues from Carrybridge RNLI we ensured that the vessel was refloated.

24th May 15:55
Tasked to a vessel with engine problems stuck in a hedge near Aghinver, Irvinestown. Liaising with Enniskillen RNLI we watched as the vessel was recovered and met the owners at a marina and assisted them with putting their boat on the trailer.

24th May 16:57
Tasked to another vessel aground on the Upper Lough Alongside our colleagues from Carrybridge RNLI we ensured that the vessel was refloated and moored back at their home marina.

24th May 22:25
Tasked to an overdue Jet ski which had left from Castle Archdale Caravan Park. We liaised with the missing person's family, coordinated with members of the public and staff at the caravan park and set up a reception area for other teams who were tasked. Fortunately after some time, the missing person was found having become disorientated as the light began to fall. We spoke to the person and offered safety advice. The team were stood down and returned to station to sort their kit in the early hours of the morning.

28th May 00:10
Tasked to a vessel broken down near Bun public jetty on the Upper Lough. Carrybridge RNLI managed to get the vessel going while we made our way to the RV point.

30th May 02:20
Tasked to assist NIFRS and NIAS after a person fell 10m down a steep bank near Irvinestown. As we were making our way to the RV point we were stood down.

30th May 12:05
Tasked to report of two paddle boards and a kayak adrift near Carrybridge. The team were assisted by a member of the public to recover the people from the water along with their belongings.

As can be seen from these taskings, we have been called out to a number of broken down vessels, we appreciate that powered craft can break down but we remind owners to check their vessels and ensure they are serviced regularly especially at the start of the season when they have been laid up over Winter. You may also note that for a few of the jobs, the quick thinking of casualty vessels and members of the public meant that emergency services were able to respond quickly and assist. Ensuring that people know where you have gone out and an expected time back means an alert can be raised should you miss your expected arrival time.

Finally, we have added the times that we have been called out, as can be seen, we will respond at any time, night or day. We often leave our families sleeping, during meals, whilst watching them playing sports or at ceremonies. We do this as volunteers because we enjoy seeing people out on the Lough or enjoying it from the shore.

If you see anyone in difficulty on or near the Lough call #999 Coastguard.

We wish you all a safe month of June.

09/05/2026

Lough Erne CRT tasked at 1750hrs. Further details to follow.

19/04/2026

🚨 Please don’t block Coastguard stations 🚨

Every HM Coastguard station needs 24-hour emergency access every single day of the year.
When a call comes in, teams have minutes (sometimes seconds) to get moving. They are responding to:

• People in the water
• Missing persons
• Boats in distress
• Medical emergencies on land , water or coast.
• Flooding and severe weather incidents.

If vehicles are parked on access roads, or in front of stations it delays the response. And in an emergency, a delay can mean the difference between life and death.
🚗 “I’ll only be a minute” can turn into a rescue team being unable to deploy
⏱️ Emergencies don’t wait for drivers to come back.
Please help us help others:
✔️ Never park in front of Coastguard stations or access routes
✔️ Keep emergency routes clear
✔️ If in doubt — leave it clear
You might never need the Coastguard… but someone will. And when they do, every second matters.
Keep access clear and help us to Save lives.
Lough Erne CRT serving the community 24/7/365

06/04/2026

Erne CRT deployed to Upper Lough Erne to assist Carrybridge Lifeboat and Enniskillen Fire & Rescue after a craft reported a fire on board.
All on board found to be safe and well and safely returned to shore.

10/03/2026

Labelling your watersports equipment is a great idea and it’s free! 🏄🏻‍♀️

Not only does it help to ensure your equipment is returned to you in the event you are separated, it also helps our HM Coastguard Maritime and Coastguard Agency colleagues as they can contact you to confirm you are safe. We’re looking out for all watersports enthusiasts – don’t forget that if you’re near one of our stations, you can check in for the latest safety and tides information.

Order our free waterproof labels here: https://ow.ly/Zjqi50YrqJn

Once they arrive, write your details on and stick the label securely to your equipment.

09/03/2026

WE ARE RECRUITING.
If you have been following our page over the past few months, you will have seen that we have been particularly busy. So, if like us, you want people to spend time on and around Lough Erne and our beautiful waterways safely, then perhaps becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer is something that would interest you?
As volunteers, we respond day and night to incidents such as people in difficulty on or in the water, searching for missing persons, assisting other agencies including our emergency service colleagues; all to keep Fermanagh safe.
Yes, there is a commitment to be able to train and respond as much as possible.
Yes, it can be hard work but we all think it is well worth it. You will learn new skills, keep fit and most importantly it is a role that is essential to keep our waterways safe.
https://www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard
Area 16 are currently recruiting for a number of stations including Lough Erne.
If you have any questions, please contact us. If you do decide to apply, fantastic, please message us so we can chat to you further and encourage you to come down and meet the team.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS CLOSE SUNDAY 15TH MARCH.

Volunteer for the Coastguard Rescue Service and help to carry out search and rescue along the UK shoreline.

04/03/2026

Marine Notice No.28 of 2026: Erne Eights Head of the River - Lough Erne
Issued: 03 March 2026

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels on Lough Erne that the Erne Eights Head of the River rowing event will take place on Saturday, 7 March 2026, from 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

To ensure the safe and successful running of this event, the following arrangements will apply:
• The event course runs from Inniskeen to Enniskillen, commencing upstream of the Killyhevlin Hotel and finishing at Enniskillen Royal Boat Club.
• Rowing boats and associated safety/support craft will be active on the water between 08:00hrs and 16:00hrs and will have right of way during race periods.
• Masters of vessels are requested to keep the designated racecourse clear and to proceed with caution when navigating in the vicinity.
• Vessel wash must be kept to an absolute minimum when passing rowing crews, officials, or safety boats.
• Masters of vessels are required to comply with all instructions issued by race marshals and safety personnel.
• The downstream sections of the Round O Jetty will be closed for the duration of the event.
• All vessels currently moored at Round O Jetty must vacate the jetties in advance of the event to facilitate race operations.
Waterways Ireland appreciates the cooperation of all waterway users in facilitating this important event.

27/01/2026

Last week, we were pleased to award our Deputy Station Officer (DSO) with a certificate from the Coastguard Association. This was in recognition of his efforts on the 17th November when he came across a person who had fallen from their fishing boat and was suffering from the effects of cold water shock and hypothermia. He was able to commit himself to rescuing the man knowing that support was on its way from Lough Erne CRT as well as our emergency service colleagues.

The Coastguard Association is a registered charity (Charity No 279359). It was established in 1976 to help Coastguard personnel and their families from all over the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man in their time of need. They seek to help any serving or retired (by age or medically) Coastguard personnel and their families in times of genuine hardship, poverty or distress. The charity has the blessing and full support of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

22/12/2025

Lough Erne CRT tasked just after midnight on 22nd December. More details to follow if available.