Phil Heath lets Matt try the helmsman's seat

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

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1985

 

Do you remember these BBC Blue Peter presenters who visited the station in 1985?

Romana D'Annunzio, Richard Bacon and Katy Hill

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

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2004

Station receives 'Letter of Thanks' from Admiral Sir Jock Slater, Chairman of the RNLI, for the 'Devotion to Duty' of the crew and Station in the search for a missing boy on 11th & 12th January 2004.

Holding the framed letter is John Murray, Station Hon Secretary

Photo: RNLI - Portaferry

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2004

Photo: RNLI - B Rogers

October 2004 - Former crew member and webmaster, Dr Phil Heath, who now resides in New Zealand, paid a visit to Portaferry Lifeboat during a business trip to Northern Ireland.

Phil (centre) is pictured with Dessie Rogers, DLA and Jim Brown, Station Co-ordinating Chairman.

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Easter 2002

Fun at the Easter Collection

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

Pat Browne, Liz Brown and Joan Peacock enjoying their RNLI fundrasinig at Portaferry's RNLI Shop during the annual Easter collection

&

our Treasurer, Capt Eddie McGee gets a little bit of help with counting the proceeds.

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

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February 2002

Fun and laughter at the Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild's

'Evening of Style & Colour'

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

 

December 2002

 

Tommy Mason from Portaferry Lifeboat Station grew a 'Santa' beard to raise monies for the RNLI. The 'fungus' was removed on 2nd December at a 'Santa Shave' held at McNamara's Bar, Portaferry and raised further funds for the RNLI.

Newcastle Lifeboat's coxswain, Franci Morgan and his crew came to support Tommy's fundraising activities.

 

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

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13th January 2001

'To the skipper and crew of the 'Blue Peter V'

"We just wanted to thank you for coming to our aid on Saturday when we became stranded at Island Hill, Comber. We have attached some pictures taken by our son which we will keep as a reminder to check the tides in the future!

Again thanks for you help and professionalism - it is incredibly reassuring to know you are protecting the lough and surrounding area.

We hope God keeps you all safe on future call-outs".

 

 

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The Crew Dinner - January 2002

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

Helmsman, Phil Heath, prior to departure for New Zealand, receives a Portaferry Lifeboat Station plaque and a framed montage of photographs during his years of service from Billy Brown, President of Portaferry RNLI. 

 

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

Crew member Lynn Brown helped again to organise the annual Crew Dinner

 

2000

Portaferry Lifeboat crew members and station officials

Photo: RNLI

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1999

The Crew Christmas Dinner

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

Crew members Phil Heath & Joe Breen who helped to organise the festivities

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

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1999

 

Photo: RNLI - Colin Watson

Portaferry Lifeboat Crew on one of their exercises with 72 Squadron from Aldergrove, Co Antrim

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May 1999

'MAYDAY' run for Portaferry Crew

Photo: RNLI - Colin Watson

Portaferry Lifeboat crew taking part in the Belfast City Marathon on 'May Day' 1999

April 1999

Portaferry Lifeboat website

Dr Phil Heath (Helmsman) & Jim Brown (Station President) establish Portaferry RNLI's Website.

1998

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

Lieutenant Commander Brian Miles, Director of the RNLI and his wife Anne visited Portaferry Station prior to his retirement from the RNLI in December 1998. Brian Miles (front row, 5th from left) is pictured with members of the station's management, crew and guild.

Brian Miles was closely involved with the establishment of a lifeboat station at Portaferry in 1980.

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1997

HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, visits Portaferry RNLI

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, visited Portaferry RNLI. The Duke of Kent is shown being greeted by Mr John Murray, Station Hon Secretary, after being introduced by Lt Commander Brian Miles, Director of the RNLI. In uniform is Portaferry RNLI's President, Major Brownlow, Lord Lieutenant of County Down.

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27 December 1994

The Kircubbin Disaster

Loss of five lives

One of the saddest days in the history of the Portaferry Lifeboat station occurred on 27 December 1994.

Six men had set out earlier that day in a 17ft single engined speedboat from the village of Kircubbin, County Down, bound for Sketrick Island, located on the western side of Strangford Lough.

Some of those on board had made the 3 mile crossing to Sketrick Island many times before.

During their return from Ballydornan to Kircubbin later that night the outboard engine of their speedboat developed problems off Sketrick Island.  One of those on board was able to advise a relative in a brief mobile phone call that they were in difficulties.  It was a cold and windy winter's night with heavy rain.

During attempts to restart the engine the vessel capsized, plunging all six men into the icy waters.   

When the alarm was raised, Portaferry and Newcastle lifeboats, two search and rescue helicopters and coastguard search teams from Bangor, Newcastle, Portaferry and Whiterock were tasked to the area.  

For a few hours some confusion reigned as to the numbers and names of those who were on board the ill-fated boat.  As news spread, family, relations and friends began to arrive at Kircubbin Sailing Club in the hope that their loved ones and friends would be found.  

Sadly, only one person, Stephen Martin, was able to swim to safety ashore onto Trasnagh Island where he was spotted and rescued by a SAR helicopter.  The body of Jackie McNamarra was found by coastguards on the shoreline of Sketrick Island later that night and two others, Hugo McCullough and Ronald Grant shortly afterwards.  Extensive searches for the two remaining men continued throughout the night and for the following two days with negative results.

On the afternoon of 29 December, after all hope had gone of any survivors being found, the coastguard service decided to scale down their official rescue searches as the situation had changed from one of rescue to that of recovery.  Voluntary searches continued by crews from Portaferry Lifeboat.

Due to on-going un-official searches by diving organisations, yacht club members and the general public, concerns were raised over the safety and co-ordination of those involved in the search and it was agreed with HM Coastguard to maintain the civilian search co-ordination centre already established at Kircubbin Sailing Club.  It was agreed that Joe Breen, an experienced diver and a helmsman of the Portaferry Lifeboat, would co-ordinate the voluntary under-water search teams.  Jim Brown, also from Portaferry Lifeboat Station, would continue to co-ordinate communications and civilian shore and water searches with the added assistance of Derek Gilmore, Jimmy McCallister, Jim Rogers and many other members of the Kircubbin Sailing Club.   

During the following three days over 100 civilian search parties were organised from the co-ordination centre at Kircubbin Sailing Club.  Each search party, consisting of at least 4 persons, combed the waters and shoreline of Strangford Lough, often in difficult winter weather conditions.  Dive teams, both police and civilian, carried out many under-water searches. A water search-dog team was also used on several occasions.  Positions of Items of clothing and other items found during the searches were logged and the items handed over to police for identification.

On 2 January 1995, following a meeting at Kircubbin Sailing Club with the families of the those still missing, which was attended by HM Coastguard, Portaferry RNLI, dive teams and others involved in the search, it was agreed that it was time to discontinue the daily co-ordinated searches.  Further searches were to continue from time to time, at the weekend following the meeting and thereafter at weekends until the remains of those still missing were found.

On 15 January 1995, the wreckage of the speedboat was located by divers and eventually raised for examination.

A few weeks later the bodies of both missing men, George Sweeney and Christopher Bell, were washed ashore on different dates and locations in Strangford Lough.

Over these weeks, hundreds of local people and organisations had given their physical and moral support to the rescue efforts and the recovery of those missing.

Some, but not all, of those organisations from outside the area who gave their assistance were;

Queen's University - Sub-Aqua Team         Neil Powell & his water search dogs

Paddy Prunty & teams from Lough Neagh Search and Rescue

Ballyholme Yacht Club - Diving Club           Drogheda Sub-Aqua Club

Trim Divers           North West Mountian Rescue Team

 

Strangford Lough Memorial Plaque

On 24 May 2004, a plaque was unveiled close to the old Kircubbin Harbour, off Shore Road, Kircubbin, by the Mayor of Ard's Borough Council, Councillor Jim McBriar, in memory of all those who had lost their lives on Strangford Lough.  The service of dedication was conducted by Rev Richard Seymour-Whitley, Rev Bill Cameron and Father's Jim Sheppard & Pat O'Neill.

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1989

Portaferry RNLI celebrates Cloughey Lifeboat Station's 100th

Mrs Anne Miles (left) with Lifeboat Guild members, Liz Brown and Lea Bradshaw.

Photo: RNLI

Lieut Cdr Brian Miles, Director of the RNLI, and his wife Mrs Anne Miles attended celebrations on 22 and 23 September 1989 to celebrate 100 years of RNLI life-saving in the area.

A centenary party was held on the evening of 22 September and followed by an ecumenical service of thanksgiving the following day.

Portaferry Lifeboat Station was officially established by the RNLI in May 1980 after sea trials during 1979.

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1988

Jess Brown names 'Voluntary Worker' in Poole

Photo - RNLI

Jess Brown, Honorary Secretary of Portaferry Lifeboat Guild, was invited by the RNLI to name a new 'Tyne Class' lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker', at the RNLI's headquarters in Poole, Dorset.  The name of the new lifeboat was chosen to honour all RNLI fundraisers.  

'Voluntary Worker' will be used in the RNLI's 'relief fleet' that provides RNLI Lifeboat Stations with temporary 'replacement' lifeboats when their lifeboat has to be withdrawn from service due to mechanical or other problems.

Funding for the new relief lifeboat was provided through the generous financial support of Volvo and other organisations.

The Naming Ceremony took place on 23rd September 1998.   

Jess Brown was accompanied by her husband, Dr Billy Brown, Portaferry Station's Honorary Secretary.   Several members of Jess's family also attended the ceremony, as did some of her friends and members of the Portaferry Lifeboat Guild who had travelled to Poole from Northern Ireland.

Lt. Cdr. Brian Miles RD, MNI, RNR, Director of the RNLI, opened the proceedings and, following the Service of Dedication, introduced Jess Brown to the large audience and praised her voluntary work for the RNLI, linking this to the many volunteers who carried out similar fundraising work for the RNLI throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.  

Jess Brown was then invited to name the new 'Tyne Class' lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker'.

Music during the ceremony was provided by the Queen Elizabeth School's band.

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1987

'Allo Allo'

It's Yvette on her search for René in our 'Atlantic 21'

Vicki Michelle (Yvette, Rene's waitress, in the BBC comedy series 'Allo Allo') with crew members Billy Ellison, Francis Rogers and Gabriel Rogers during a visit to Portaferry

1987

 

Photo: RNLI - Jim Brown

A small stone is imbedded in one of the entrance pillars to Portaferry Lifeboat Station. Underneath there is a plaque which reads;

'This stone is from the last remains of the first Lifeboat Station built at Formby in 1776'.

(The stone referred to above was retrieved by the late Jess Brown from the last remains of the first recorded Lifeboat Station at Formby, England, the foundations of which had almost disappeared through errosion by the sea. The stone was placed into one of the old gate pillars at the entrance to Portaferry's first lifeboat station 210 years after the Formby lifeboat station was built)

The remains of Formby lifeboat station in 1986

Photo: RNLI - Jess Brown

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1986

Photo: RNLI

Major Brownlow, Lord Lieutenant of County Down and Chairman of Portaferry Lifeboat Station, addresses those present at the opening of the Station's new Boathouse.   Seated 2nd from right, front row, is Dr Barry Bramwell, the Station's 2nd President.

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1986

Portaferry Lifeboat Guild and other members in 1986

Photo: RNLI - Jess Brown

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1985

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15 May 1984

Her Majesty, The Queen Mother, presents Desmond Rogers with his Bronze Medal in recognition for his part in the 'Jane's Rock rescue' on 19 December 1982 at the RNLI Annual Meeting in the Royal Festival Hall, London

Photo: RNLI

Sir John Andrews, first President of Portaferry Lifeboat Station, congratulates Desmond Rogers, Frank Rogers and Billy Ellison.

Photo: RNLI - Portaferry

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1983

The history of the 'Routen Wheel' Race

The entrance to Strangford Lough is located a few miles south of the most easterly point of the island of Ireland.

Strangford Lough is tidal and is fed with waters from the Irish Sea through a narrow channel called 'The Narrows'.

'The Narrows' are approximately 5 Nautical Miles in length but with a navigable channel, in places, only a few cables wide.

Mid-way along 'The Narrows' there are a group of whirlpools known as the 'Routen Wheel'. The tidal stream at the 'Routen Wheel' can reach 8 knots during spring tides.

In the early 1980's a Mr McCullough from the local village of Kircubbin presented a large ship's wheel to Portaferry Lifeboat Station following a rescue by Portaferry Lifeboat.  He asked that the trophy be used in rowing races to raise monies for the RNLI and that the event should be called the 'Routen Wheel Race'.

A couple of years earlier, in May 1981, members of the lifeboat crew had raised £2,100 during a 17 mile sponsored row, using two 16ft rowing boats with six rowers each.  The crew set off for Kircubbin Sailing Club at 8:50 am on a wet and windy morning and then travelled on to Strangford Lough Yacht Club where they received lunch, after which they made their long return journey back to Portaferry.

May 1981 - Crew members and supporters of the 'Around the Lough Row'

The first 'Routen Wheel Race' took place in 1983. The 6 mile race, using traditional rowing boats, was from Portaferry to Killyleagh and back to Portaferry.

Killyleagh Yacht Club won the first event and in subsequent years the trophy changed hands many times between Killyleagh Yacht Club and Portaferry Sailing Club.

1986 - Jim Ferris, Honorary Secretary of Killyleagh Yacht Club, accepts the 'Routen Wheel' from Beth Duffin, RNLI Regional Organiser.  Looking on is Portaferry Lifeboat Station's Honorary Secretary, Billy Brown

Rowing races for ladies and RNLI lifeboat crews were introduced a short time later.

By 1985 there were 4 trophies;

The 'Routen Wheel' - men's rowing race

The 'Golden Rowlocks' - ladies rowing race

The 'Lifeboat Bell' - RNLI crew rowing race

The 'Lifeboat Shield' - sailing club team raising the most monies for the RNLI

 

Note - Owing to the growing difficulty in obtaining sufficient numbers of traditional rowing boats the rowing races were abandoned in 2001 and the 'Routen Wheel' became a mainly sailing event. The last 'Routen Wheel' event took place in August 2003

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19 December 1982 - The Jane's Rock Rescue

On the early evening of 19 December 1982 reports were received that the yacht, Frieda, with two yachtsmen on board, had not arrived at Ringhaddy having left Killyleagh earlier in the day.

Belfast Coastguard requested the Portaferry Lifeboat to launch in a search for the missing yacht.

The Portaferry Lifeboat was launched at 18:55 with Chief Helmsman, Desmond (Dessie) Rogers at the helm and Helmsman, Francis (Frank) Rogers and William (Billy) Ellison as crew.  They proceeded in gale force winds towards the west side of Strangford Lough and began a search in the dark between Holm Bay and Island Taggart.  

The yacht was eventually sighted by searchlight, hard aground on Jane's Rock, adjacent to the Long Sheelagh.   Unable to land at that position, the lifeboat made its way to the northern end of Jane's Rock where Helmsman Francis Rogers was able to get ashore.  With the aid of illumination from a SAR helicopter's searchlight he was able to get to the yacht and found that one male survivor was on board.

The survivor reported that his fellow crew member was missing.  The missing crew member had been in their 14ft tender working with the anchor when it was swept away in a north-westerly direction.

With the male survivor on board the lifeboat proceeded slowly towards Kircubbin Bay through the Bird Island Passage.  White flares were used to illuminate the narrow channel.  Winds had now increased to storm force and as shelter from the southerly wind was gradually lost high seas were experienced, at times almost swamping the lifeboat.

On reaching Kircubbin Bay the lifeboat stood off until shore help arrived shortly afterwards and the male survivor was then landed to safety ashore at Kircubbin at 21:45.

Portaferry's 'D' Class in 1982 - Zodiac Mk 4 with twin 40 HP Mariner outboards

At daylight, in strong to gale force winds, the search was resumed for the missing crew member.

Later that morning the missing yachtsman was found on an island by a coastguard auxiliary.  Fortunately, he had been driven ashore in the yacht's tender and had taken shelter under it during the night.  

Having been released from service the lifeboat had a difficult passage back to Portaferry in stormy conditions.

For their rescue, Chief Helmsman, Desmond Rogers was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal; and Helmsman, Francis Rogers & William Ellison, the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum.

The presentation of the RNLI Bronze Medal to Desmond Rogers was made by Her Majesty, The Queen Mother, on 15 May 1984.   (See photo above)

 

Portaferry Lifeboat Guild in 1981

Sir John Andrews, 1st President of Portaferry Lifeboat Station, with Guild members in 1981

The Crew - May 1980

1980 - Portaferry Lifeboat crew & station officials with the Mayor of Ards Borough Council

1979

THE BEGINNING

Dr W (Billy) Brown (centre) and Desmond (Dessie) Rogers (right) with RNLI offcials

FOR A HISTORY OF THE

Ballywalter and Cloughey lifeboats

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