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GENERAL
INFORMATION
This web site was
establised in 1999 to record and preserve the history of the
'life saving' and fundraising work of the volunteers of Portaferry
RNLI Lifeboat Station and that of the Lifeboat Stations of the
Ards Peninsula.
Since the Station
opened in May 1980 the Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat has been launched
over 850 times, rescued 600+ people who were in danger and have
been directly responsible for saving the lives of over 100 persons.
Details of our
life saving 'shouts' for the year's 2000 to 2022 years can be
viewed on 'Our Rescues' page. Or here.
Shouts from 2023 can be found on the RNLI
website or the Station's RNLI Facebook page.
Our 'Links'
page is updated frequently and is a continuing source of useful
nautical, safety and local information for yachtsmen and others
planning to visit the area. There are also links to some RNLI
historic videos. Information here.
Some of the history
of the former Ballywalter, Cloughey and the Cloughey/Portavogie,
Donaghadee and Groomsport lifeboat stations can be found here
or on our Local RNLI History page.
To find out about
some of the earlier history of Portaferry lifeboat Station click
here
or go to the Scrapbook page.
Portaferry
Lifeboat Station is located at Portaferry, County Down, Northern
Ireland.
It
is the home of 'Blue
Peter V', an 'Atlantic 85'
lifeboat.
Our lifeboat was presented to the Station by
CBBC 'Blue Peter', a current and popular BBC Children's
Television programme for over 60 years.
Funding for our 'Blue
Peter V' lifeboat was achieved
through the efforts of children throughout the United Kingdom
and beyond. Both of our previous Blue Peter lifeboats were funded
by CBBC 'Blue Peter' and were all named 'Blue
Peter V'.
The
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
is a charity.
Origionally
named the 'National Institution for the Preservation of Life
from Shipwreck' it was founded on 4th March 1824 by Sir William
Hillary from the Isle of Man.
Sir
William coined the phrase which epitomises the ethos of the
RNLI
'With
Courage, Nothing is Impossible'
In
1854 the name of the institution was changed to the 'Royal
National Lifeboat Institution'.
The
RNLI celebrated the 200th Anniversary of its founding on 4th
March 2024 at an ecumenical service held in Westminster Abbey
and at many other following events throughout the United Kingdom
and Ireland
Today,
the RNLI has 238 lifeboat stations located in strategic locations
along the coastline and inland waters of the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland.
In
2001 the RNLI introduced a beach life-guarding service during
the Summer months and there are now over 240 RNLI life-guarded
beaches throughout the United Kingdom.
As
in 1824, the life-saving work of the RNLI is made possible through
membership contributions, donations and legacies.
To
find out how you could join our Crew, assist us with fundraising,
or help the RNLI in other ways, please click
here
For
our younger surfers and 'Stormforce' members you can find out
beach and water safety information here
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