# Carrybridge Lifeboat Station

Carrybridge Lifeboat Station is located on the eastern shore of the River Erne, at Carrybridge, a small village approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) south east of the town of Enniskillen, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Originally named Enniskillen (Upper) Lifeboat Station, it was established on 3 July 2002 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). It was renamed Carrybridge Lifeboat Station in 2017.
The station currently operates the B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat, Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards (B-904), on station since 2017.

## History

The town of Enniskillen sits on the short stretch of the River Erne between the two lakes collectively known as Lough Erne, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The smaller southern lake is called the Upper Lough, and the bigger northern lake is called the Lower or Broad Lough. The water then flows out to the Atlantic Ocean. The lough has more than 150 islands, and covers over 50 sq mi (130 km$^2$). Previously rescue work on the lough had been covered by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Later, a charitable trust had been set up, and Lough Erne Rescue was formed.
On 24 May 2001, the RNLI established their first inland lifeboat station at Enniskillen, taking over from Lough Erne Rescue. Enniskillen (Lower) Lifeboat Station would be the 40th RNLI lifeboat station in Ireland.
For further information for Enniskillen (Lower) Lifeboat Station, please see
* Enniskillen Lifeboat Station
Between May and October 2001, the Enniskillen (Lower) lifeboat was called out 16 times. The one-year evaluation proved one major point, in that cover was inadequate for both lakes. Lower Lough Erne is 20 miles long by 10 miles wide at the widest part, and Upper Lough Erne is 10 miles long by 6 miles wide. It is estimated that there are over 2000 craft on the water during the year. Between 1990 and 1999, there was an average of two lives lost each year.
A second station was established at Carrybridge, then to be known as Enniskillen (Upper) Lifeboat Station, becoming operational from dawn on Friday 1 June 2002.
In 2008, the last two Atlantic 21-class lifeboats still on operational service, Edmund and Joan White (B-591) at Enniskillen (Upper), and Andrew Mason (B-581) at Enniskillen (Lower) stations, were finally retired. The Enniskillen stations would receive the second and third operational Atlantic 75-class lifeboats, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (B-702) to Enniskillen (Upper), and Jason Logg (B-703) to Enniskillen (Upper), but both boats were already 14 years old by the time they arrived in Northern Ireland.
Two Jetski, known in the RNLI as a Rescue Water Craft, (RWC-053) and (RWC-054), were also placed at the station in 2009, operating until 2022.
In 2014, 12 years after operations commenced at Carrybridge, and continued in temporary buildings, construction of a new station building was started, and would be the first specially built inland RNLI station building. The work was carried out by Omagh-based Woodvale Construction, and £60,000 was raised by the local community towards the cost. The building was completed and operational by March 2015. At a ceremony on 14 October 2015, the station was formally opened by H.R.H. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, and handed over to Tom Bailey, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge, who accepted the new building on behalf of Enniskillen RNLI.
In 2017, Enniskillen (Upper) Lifeboat Station would officially change its name to Carrybridge Lifeboat Station. At the same time, Enniskillen (Lower) Lifeboat Station became Enniskillen Lifeboat Station.
After operating six previous Atlantic-class lifeboats over a period of just 15 years, the station would finally receive a new one, funded by the John and Elizabeth Allan Memorial Trust, a charitable organisation set up by their son Dr Patrick Allan.
The B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat arrived on station in 2017. At a naming ceremony and service of dedication, the lifeboat was named Douglas, Euan & Kay Richards (B-904).

## Carrybridge lifeboats

| Op. No. | Name | In service | Class |
| B-580 | Leicester Challenge | 2002 | B-class (Atlantic 21) |
| B-525 | Spix's Macaw | 2002–2004 | B-class (Atlantic 21) |
| B-581 | Andrew Mason | 2004–2008 | B-class (Atlantic 21) |
| B-703 | Jason Logg | 2008–2013 | B-class (Atlantic 75) |
| B-751 | Benjamin Dowing Fairbridge | 2013–2015 | B-class (Atlantic 75) |
| B-773 | Duckhams 2001 | 2015–2017 | B-class (Atlantic 75) |
| B-904 | Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards | 2017– | B-class (Atlantic 85) |

### Launch and recovery tractors

| Op. No. | Reg. No. | Type | In service |
| TA36 | TBZ 3520 | New Holland 1920 | 2002–2010 |
| TA46 | BJZ 8419 | New Holland TN55D | 2010–2020 |
| TA132 | WA69 BWZ | New Holland TD5.95 | 2020– |
* 1 2 Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.