A Co Down RNLI crew deployed three times over the weekend has urged users to take care on the water this summer.
The volunteer lifeboat crew of Portaferry RNLI were called out three times in the space of 48 hours.
On Friday during a routine exercise the inshore lifeboat observed three people on a small inflatable boat that had broken down and was on a rock off Killyleagh.
The lifeboat crew offered their assistance and proceeded to take the three onboard back to shore in Killyleagh.
Later on Friday the lifeboat launched for a second time following a 999 call from a member of the public on the shore at the northern end of Strangford Lough.
The lifeboat launched at 7.45pm and made its way to the scene where a man was using a small tender boat to get out to his yacht which was on a mooring between the islands became stranded.
On Saturday the crew launched for a third time when a 10m yacht with one person onboard broke down off the north rock in Cloughey, Portavogie.
The lifeboat crew observed that the engine had lost power and established a towline to bring the vessel safely into Portavogie.
Brian Bailie, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager stressed the importance of safety on the water.
"Always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling and signalling for help and ensure everyone know how to use it. Always check the weather forecast and tide times. Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time," he said.
