A new inland lifeboat station near Enniskillen on Lower Lough Erne has been opened.
After being housed in temporary accommodation for 21 years, volunteers at Enniskillen RNLI were handed the keys to their new state of the art building on Killadeas Road at Gublusk earlier this month.
The modern purpose-built lifeboat station is located close to the lough to allow for a quick launch of its inshore lifeboat.
READ MORE: South West Acute Hospital: Western Trust director says golden hour a 'huge misconception'
A generous contribution towards the cost of the build was made by the daughter of the late Alfred Russell Wallace Weir from Bangor
In 2001, Enniskillen became home to the RNLI’s first inland lifeboat station based on Lower Lough Erne.
Due to the overall size and complexity of the lough and its high leisure usage, the decision was taken by the RNLI in 2002 to base a second lifeboat on the upper lough at Carrybridge that would work in conjunction with the original lifeboat station on the lower lough at Killadeas.
Last year, Enniskillen RNLI was tasked 33 times and brought 73 people to safety.
Rogan Wheeldon, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, said he was delighted that the station was now complete:
"From the outset, we wanted to build a modern station with full crew facilities with areas for the crew to change and train and space to keep their lifeboat and lifesaving kit safe.
"We now have those facilities and are very happy to be in a position to take over the new lifeboat station and are delighted with both the design and quality of the building."
The station team is now looking for new volunteers to join the crew in several roles including lifeboat crew, shore crew, deputy launching authorities and fundraisers.
Gary Jones, Enniskillen RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said the new station was what the crew deserved.
"The new station is a testament of the RNLI’s commitment and dedication to the community here locally and a credit to the efforts of our crew in continuing to bring people to safety on Lough Erne," Gary said.
"Our volunteers had an opportunity to be shown around their new station and they are overwhelmed with the structure and facilities that they now have when they come together for call outs and training. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us to get to this stage.
"Now that we have our new building, we are keen to have new volunteers join our team. If you are interested in becoming lifeboat crew, shore crew, deputy launching authority or helping in another officer capacity or with fundraising, please contact us to find out more about how you can be involved and help us to continue to save lives on Lough Erne."
READ NEXT:
Matthew McCallan: Funeral hears of ‘very happy young boy’ as teen laid to rest
Fermanagh man in tribute to cousin and best friend ahead of anniversary of death in South Africa
Fermanagh police issue warning over "extremely dangerous" window tinting
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
