Portaferry RNLI rescue seven people from islands on Strangford Lough

The volunteer crew received the request at 11.00am and the RNLI Lifeboat, an inshore Atlantic 85, launched shortly after at 11.13am.

At the time of the launch, the weather was sunny with very good visibility, force three easterly wind and calm sea conditions.

The five men and two women had been on a six metre cabin cruiser on Strangford Lough County Down and three of the party had been put ashore on Green Island before the rest of the party left for neighbouring Salt Island.

At this stage the five people remaining on the cruiser started to experience electrical problems and decided to 'beach' their craft on Salt Island.

The Portaferry Lifeboat crew arrived on scene at 11.22am and took on board the five people who were on Salt Island, taking them to Killyleagh before returning to Green Island where the volunteer lifeboat crew picked up the remaining three casualties and returned them also safely to land at Killyleagh County Down.

Commenting on today’s rescue, Brian Bailie, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Portaferry RNLI stated, ‘Once again all the hard work and hours invested in training has paid off with a happy ending to today’s rescue.'

'With the start of the good weather and more and more craft taking to the water, it is increasingly important that everyone respects the water and makes all the necessary checks before going on the water.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Bernard Roddy, Portaferry RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or telephone 07717318003, or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 00353876483547, email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 00 353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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