9 June 2007 Volunteering for something higher... Tommy Mason and Anne Marie Mahon absieled down Belfast's BT Tower and raised a fantastic £500.

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1 January 2007. Mrs Eveleigh Brownlow (President of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild) has been awarded a 'bar' to her RNLI Gold Badge for her many years of voluntary fundraising work for the RNLI.

Mr John Murray (President of Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Station) has been awarded a RNLI Gold Badge for his many years of service since the opening of a trial Lifeboat Station at Portaferry in 1979 to his retirement as the station's Lifeboat Operations Manager in August 2006.

23 November 2006 - RNLI Portaferry Helmsman Simon Rogers is to be accorded the RNLI's 'Thanks of the Institution on Vellum' for his role in the search for the missing crew of the fishing vessel Greenhill, which sank off Ardglass, County Down, on 19 January 2006. His crew, Philip Sands-Robinson, Andrew (Hugh) Edwards and Sinead Breen will each receive Vellum certificates. The search and rescue operation saw one man saved by the Portaferry Lifeboat, 'Blue Peter V', but sadly two lost their lives after their fishing vessel sank. In recognition of their efforts during the long and arduous service at night and in gale force winds the Portaferry Lifeboat Station is to receive a Chairman’s Framed Letter of Thanks and the recently retired Portaferry Lifeboat Operations Manager John Murray a letter of Appreciation signed by the Chief Executive. Newcastle Lifeboat Station is also receive a Letter of Appreciation signed by the Chief Executive for their search for the two missing fishermen.

Helmsman Simon Rogers pictured with his crew,
Andrew (Hugh) Edwards, Sinead Breen and Philip Sands- Robinson.

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15 November 2006 - Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO DL, Chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, has visited Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Station accompanied by Terence Johnson, Vice Chairman RNLI and Colin Williams, Inspector of Lifeboats - Ireland.

During the visit and over lunch Sir Jock Slater and his colleagues met many of the lifeboat crew, guild members and station officials.

Admiral Sir Jock Slater signs the Station Log Book
witnessed by Colin Williams (Inspector of Lifeboats - Ireland)

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1 November 2006 - John Murray & Dessie Rogers have been awarded the prestigious 'Blue Peter Gold Badge' for their life-saving work over many years by the world renowned BBC Children's Television programme 'Blue Peter'.

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6 October 2006 - JOHN MURRAY & DESSIE ROGERS RETIRE A dinner marking the retirement of John Murray and Dessie Rogers after 27 years of voluntary service for the Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Station took place on the evening of 6th October in the Portaferry Hotel, Portaferry, Co. Down.

John and Dessie became members of the lifeboat crew in 1979 when a 'trial lifeboat' was established by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Portaferry following representations made by the 'Portaferry Sailing Club' and others regarding the lack of life-saving facilities in the area.

After successful trials the RNLI decided to open a lifeboat station in Portaferry that became officially operational in May 1980. Shortly afterwards John Murray was appointed 'Station Administration Officer' and Dessie Rogers, 'Chief Helmsman'.

In 1991 John Murray was appointed as the station's Honorary Secretary (now re-titled Lifeboat Operation Manager) and Dessie Rogers, having reached the retirement age for lifeboat crew in 1996, was appointed Deputy Lifeboat Launching Authority.

Attending the 'Retirement Dinner' were over 20 representatives from other RNLI lifeboat stations, Coastguards from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and other past & present RNLI officials. Colin Williams, Inspector of Lifeboats (Ireland) presented RNLI 'Certificates of Service' to both retirees and thanked them for their many years of voluntary life-saving work.

Congratulatory messages to the retirees included two from BBC 'Blue Peter ' through which children throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland raised monies to provide two Portaferry 'Blue Peter V' lifeboats. Messages received also included one from the Master & Crew of the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel 'Granuaile' and retired crew members from as far afield as New Zealand.

During the evenings festivities David Russell, Chairman of the of station's Lifeboat Management Group, announced that John Murray had been elected as the station's 6th honorary 'President'.

Colin Williams (centre), Inspector of Lifeboats (Ireland)
presents 'Certificates of Service' to Dessie Rogers (left)
and John Murray. (picture Courtesy 'Colin Watson')

NOTE - Portaferry's new Lifeboat Operations Manager is Brian Bailie who has been the station's Lifeboat Administration Officer for many years.

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9 August 2006 - KCGC 'Lifeboat Day' raises over £4,000 Kirkistown Castle Golf Club once again hosted a golfing competition in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. A turnout of 239 golfers participated in the 12th annual KCGC 'Lifeboat Day' competition that was sponsored by the 'Progressive Building Society'. The popular 'sell-out' event raised over £4,000 for the RNLI.

Pictured teeing off the call for entries to this year's event at Kirkistown Castle Golf Club
is Progressive Building Society's Graeme Norris (right) with Pat Browne, Chair
of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild and Dr David Peacock, Event Co-ordinator

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8 June 2006 - President Mary McAleese officially opened the new Ireland Headquarters of the RNLI in Swords, County Dublin. Representatives from all 43 lifeboat stations in Ireland were in attendance along with supporters and staff. Representing Portaferry Lifeboat Station were David Russell (Chairman), John Murray (LOM) and John Murray Jnr (Helmsman).

Helmsman, John Murray Jnr, meets President Mary McAleese during the opening ceremony.

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18 May 2006 - RNLI Gold Badge awarded to the late Dr Billy Brown is presented by HRH The Princess Alexandra.

The late Dr William (Billy) Brown from Portaferry, Co. Down has been remembered during the Royal National Lifeboat Institution 'Annual Presentation of Awards' held at the Barbican Centre, London.

Dr Brown was to have been presented with a RNLI Gold Badge during the ceremony but unfortunately died (aged 84) on 8th March 2006 after a short illness. Attending the 2006 RNLI Annual Awards ceremony in London were many members of Dr Brown's family including his daughter Heather, sons James and William and his brother 'Dickie' Brown.

The posthumous presentation of the RNLI Gold to the late Dr Billy Brown was made by HRH The Princess Alexandra and received by his daughter, Mrs Heather Kennedy. Dr 'Billy' Brown was instrumental in the establishment of a RNLI lifeboat station at Portaferry, Co. Down, in 1979. He was the RNLI Station's first Honorary Secretary and subsequently served as Chairman and latterly as the station's Honorary President.

Billy Brown had many interests including a love of sailing. His mathematical and sailing expertise helped him to design a 35' yacht named 'Ruffian' that he and his brother 'Dickie' built in 1971. Billy Brown went on to design a smaller version, the 'Ruffian 23'. Such was the popularity of both designs for cruiser racing that over 200 yachts were built in Portaferry during the 70's and early 80's by 'Weatherly Yachts', a company established by Billy Brown and his brother 'Dickie'. The most popular model, the 'Ruffian 23', was sold throughout the British Isles and further a field in places such as Hong Kong and Iceland and there are still active fleets in some of these locations today.

Picture: Mrs Heather Kennedy receives her late father's Gold Badge from HRH The Princess Alexandra

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8 March 2006 - It is with deep regret that we record the death of our esteemed President Dr William (Billy) Brown. Obituary - Dr Billy Brown click here

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18 May 2006 - Billy Brown awarded RNLI gold badge

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has awarded its prestigious Gold Badge to the President of Portaferry Lifeboat Station, Dr W P (Billy) Brown, for his outstanding services to the RNLI.

'Billy' Brown was the main driving force in the establishment of trial lifeboat station at Portaferry in 1979. Following successful trials under his leadership the new station became operational in May 1980 as an official RNLI Lifeboat Station. Billy Brown was the Station's first Honorary Secretary, an office he held until the late 1990's when he was then appointed as Station Chairman. In 2001 he was appointed to the office of Station President.

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November 2005 - Portaferry Lifeboat Crew and Shore Helpers awarded Certificate of Thanks for 'Devotion to Duty' for services on 11th & 12th January 2004.

RNLI Certificate of Thanks

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February 2005 - Tsunami Relief

The crew of Portaferry Lifeboat, 'Blue Peter V', held a 'Tsunami Relief Car Wash' in Portaferry last February to augment funds donated by them to provide a fully equipped fishing boat for one of the fishermen in Sri Lanka who lost their craft during last December's Tsunami.

The monies raised by the Lifeboat Crew were channelled through the 'Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund' that was established a few days after the Tsunami to provide practical assistance to fishing families by funding and co-ordinating the supply of replacement fishing boats that had been destroyed during the disaster.

Amanda Hughes of the 'Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund' stated; "Thanks to the efforts of many organisations and the generosity of the public throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, our trust fund has now ordered 992 fishing boats from three suitable boatyards in Sri Lanka. 630 of these vessels have already been supplied and are currently in use around the Tsunami affected coast of Sri Lanka.

The fund has already created about 300 extra jobs in the boat construction industry and should eventually ensure the livelihood of about 3,000 fishermen and their families. Our fund has no administration costs and all monies donated have been used to purchase the fishing vessels." Each 6-metre, fibreglass, fishing boat is supplied complete with an outboard engine, fuel and fishing nets so that the vessel can put to sea without any delay. In-shore fishing in Sri Lanka usually takes place at night and each vessel normally carries a crew of three.

A spokesperson on behalf of Portaferry Lifeboat Station commented; "Our Lifeboat Crew involvement in fund-raising would normally be solely on behalf of our own charity, the RNLI. Because of the magnitude of this disaster and our close links with the local fishing community the Lifeboat Crew felt that they would like to provide practical assistance to one of the fishing families in Sri Lanka who had lost their means of income.

Thanks to the generosity of our Crew and the local community one of these fishing families is now 'back in business'." Portaferry's 'Atlantic 75' lifeboat was supplied by the BBC children's programme 'Blue Peter' through funds raised by children throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland and is named 'Blue Peter V'.

In recognition, the Lifeboat Crew have named the new fishing vessel 'Blue Peter V - Portaferry'.

Further information about the 'Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund' can be obtained by visiting www.irish-srilankatrustfund.org

Presentation of a cheque (February 2005) to provide a fully functional fishing boat
in Sri Lanka by Thomas Mason, Treasurer of Portaferry Lifeboat Crew,
to Amanda Hughes of the Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund

Photograph of 'Blue Peter V - Portaferry, following the vessel's manufacture
in Sri Lanka but prior to fitting out with equipment

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May 2005 - RNLI Awards to Portaferry

Mrs Bernadette Rogers, Honorary Secretary of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild, has been awarded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution prestigious 'Gold Badge' for her 25 years of voluntary work for the RNLI. The award was presented by HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, during the institution's Annual General Meeting held at the Barbican Centre, London, on 19 May. Bernadette is pictured (above) whilst attending the event.

Mrs Marie McGee has received a 'Certificate of Thanks' from the RNLI in recognition of her voluntary work for the institution. Marie is pictured above with UTV presenter, Pamela Ballentine, who made the presentation on behalf of the RNLI during the 'RNLI Northern Ireland Awards' ceremony held at the Cultra Manor, ultra, on 26 May.

Jonathan Brownlee, Station Training Officer and Helmsman, has received a certificate of thanks from the RNLI in recognition of his voluntary work for the institution. Jonathan is pictured above with UTV Presenter, Pamela Ballentine, who made the presentation on behalf of the RNLI during the 'RNLI Northern Ireland Awards' ceremony held at the Cultra Manor, Cultra, on 26 May.

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17th February 2005- Guild raise over £31,000 to celebrate 25th. Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild decided to raise £25,000 for the RNLI to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the opening of Portaferry Lifeboat Station by the RNLI on 1st May 1980. After months of fundraising it was announced at the Guild's Annual General Meeting that this target had now been exceeded and now stands at £31,939. Several members of the Guild that helped to raise these monies are pictured during the Guild AGM.

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Guyana Flood Relief

February 2005 - Portaferry Lifeboat crew member, Hugh Edwards, has just returned from two weeks in Guyana, South America, where he was a part of the humanitarian and Search and Rescue (SAR) operation of the RNLI Rapid Response Unit (RRU). Weeks of rain and flooding in Georgetown and surrounding areas had made 250,000 people homeless. The RNLI team of twenty, specially trained in swift water rescue techniques, arrived in the capital, Georgetown, on the 2nd February with six D class lifeboats. The RNLI team was able to get personnel from the Red Cross, World Food Programme and Pan-American Health Organisation into the more inaccessible and remote flooded areas to assess the situation and to provide assistance. Prior to returning home, the RRU trained members of the Guyanese Coastguard in lifeboat rescue techniques. The six 'D' class lifeboats were also handed over to the Guyanese Coastguard to help in future flood relief and rescue operations.

Members of the RNLI SAR Team ready to board an Antonov cargo plane to Georgetown,
Guyana. (Hugh Edwards pictured far right)

Hugh Edwards (top right) pictured with children from Mahaica, Guyana.

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16th February 2005 - Tsunami Fund Raising
Portaferry Lifeboat Crew has raised sufficient funds within two weeks through their recent 'Tsunami Car Wash' and other donations to assist them in purchasing a fishing boat in Sri Lanka that will be donated to one of those fishermen who lost their craft during last December's 'Tsunami'. It is to be supplied complete with fishing nets, a 25-hp outboard motor and sufficient fuel so that the fisherman can put to sea immediately after receipt so as to provide an income as soon as possible to support his family and himself. The fishing boat is to be named 'Blue Peter V - Portaferry'

RNLI Presentation of Tsunami cheque . Mrs Amanda Hughes, Fund Raising Co-ordinator of the Irish Sri-Lanka Trust Fund, receives a cheque to purchase the fishing boat, 'Blue Peter V - Portaferry', from Thomas Mason, Crew Fund Treasurer of Portaferry Lifeboat Station, accompanied by several members of the station's crew.

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11 Dec 2004 - 15 Nautical Mile Walk raises £3,884 for the RNLI - Jonathan Brownlee, Training Officer and Helmsman, assisted by Francis Arthurs raised £3,884 for the RNLI during a 15 Nautical Mile walk.

Jonathan (centre) is pictured handing over the monies raised to the
Treasurer of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild, Capt Eddie McGee (left).

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5th November 2004 - 25th Anniversary Ball. Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild held their 25th Anniversary Ball on 5th November 2004 and raised £3,513 for the RNLI.

Pictured at the Anniversary Ball are Owen Medland (DDI Ireland), Mrs Pat Browne (Chairman - Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild), Nigel Ringland (principal guest), Mrs Eveleigh Brownlow (President - Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild) and Mr John Murray (Lifeboat Operations Manager).

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June 2004 - BBC Bargain Hunt. The BBC recently recorded its first 'BBC Bargain Hunt' programme in Northern Ireland with two competing teams from Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Station During the recordings Simon Rogers (Helmsman) and Philip Robinson (Crew Member) represented the Lifeboat Station's 'Red Team' and Hugh Edwards (Crew Member) and Mike Miall (Member of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild) the 'Blue Team'. The well-known presenter David Dickinson who is assisted by antique experts Adam Partridge and Charles Hanson hosts the programme that was recorded over several days in Portaferry and Belfast. The programme was broadcast by the BBC on 23rd June and was watched by an estimated 4.5 million viewers.

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May 2004 - Peter Nicholson CBE (Chairman RNLI) and his wife (Lesley-Jane) visited Portaferry Station accompanied by Mr Terrence Johnson (Chairman - RNLI Committee of Management - Ireland) and Owen Medland (DDI Ireland).

Mr Terrence Johnson signs the 'visitors book' witnessed by Mr John Murray LOM and
Mr Peter Nicholson CBE, Chairman RNLI.

Mrs Lesley-Jane Nicholson enjoys a discussion with Portaferry crew member Lynn Browne

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27th May 2004 - Jim Brown (right) past Station President and retiring Co-ordinating Chairman receives a Certificate of Thanks' from the RNLI from Peter Nicholson, Chairman of the RNLI.

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21 June 2005 - The Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Colonel W Hall, visited the station on 21st June 03 and presented the Queen's Jubilee Medal to seventeen members of the crew. The presentation was further enhanced by the presence of the Mayor of Ard's Borough Council, Councillor J McBriar. Both are pictured above after the presentations with the awardees, guild members and station officials.

Phil Heath (former crewman and the station's webmaster) receiving his
Queen's Jubilee Medal from SHS J Murray during a recent
visit to Portaferry from his home in New Zealand

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Services 2002 - During the year 2002, Portaferry Lifeboat was launched on service 27 times saving 2 lives. In addition, 25 persons were brought ashore whose lives were at risk and a further 7 persons before they were at risk. Two craft were also saved and a further eight were escorted to safety. The lifeboat was also launched on a further 5 occasions but was not required to assist.

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28th January 2003 - The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt. Hon Paul Murphy MP, is pictured (right) with Station Honorary Secretary, John Murray, during a visit to the station.

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14 August 2002- Kirkistown Golf Club. Over 200 golfers took part in the annual event which raised approx. £3,500 for the RNLI.

Since the RNLI Golf Day was first started by Portaferry & District Guild members, Terry and Joan Burrows, it has now raised in excess of £20,000 for the RNLI.

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June 2002 - Leah Bradshaw, Shop Secretary, receiving her Silver Badge and Certificate for her fund raising work from Pam Rhodes at the NI RNLI Awards Ceremony.

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8 May 2002 - James Fitzsimmons receiving a Certificate of Service for 16 years as Station Tractor Driver from television presenter and Member of the RNLI Committee of Management, Pam Rhodes, at the NI RNLI Awards ceremony held in Belfast on 8th may 2002.

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21 April 2002 - An exercise took place with the Strangford Ferry, (the new Portaferry II,) which involved the evacuation of several 'volunteer passengers' by helicopter and lifeboat.

Royal Navy Sea-king arrives at the ferry, Portaferry lifeboat assists

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May 21st 2002 - Newtownards Round Table members visited the station and presented a donation of £1,500.00 for the RNLI.

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17 May 2001 - Mrs Eveleigh Brownlow, President of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild, receives a Gold Badge from HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI,during the RNLI Annual General Meeting held at the Barbican Centre, London on 17th May 2001. The award was made in recognition of over 36 years dedication to fund-raising for the RNLI.

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Mr Peter Nicholson, Chairman of the RNLI, presents a Scroll of Thanks to Mrs Daphne Molyneaux, Ladies President, and Mr Kenneth Thornton, Mens President of Kirkistown Castle Golf Club during the RNLI Awards ceremony held at the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast on 9th May 2001. The Scroll of Thanks was presented to Kirkistown Castle Golf Club in recognition for over 40 years of fundraising for the RNLI.

Mr Peter Nicholson, Chairman of the RNLI, presents a Certificate of Thanks to Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild committee members, Terrence and Joan Burrowes, during the RNLI Awards ceremony held in Belfast on 9th May 2001. TheCertificate of Thanks was awarded for their work over many years in organising the Annual RNLI Golf Day held at Kirkistown Castle Golf club.

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1st May 2001 - 21st Birthday. Portaferry Lifeboat Station was officially established 21 years ago on 1st May 1980. Since that time the station has responded to several hundred incidents and saved many lives. In addition, many vessels have been taken or escorted to safe waters.

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2nd March 2001 - Ards Borough Council has granted the 'Freedom of the Borough of Ards' to the RNLI in recognition of 175 years of saving life at sea and the Borough's association with the RNLI since 1866 when the first lifeboat station in the area was established at Ballywalter, Co. Down. Representatives from the crew and the guild from Donaghadee and Portaferry Lifeboat stations attended the ceremony as did two of the last surviving members of the old Cloughey/Portavogie lifeboat station. The Mayor of the Borough of Ards, Mr T Hamilton MLA, presented the certificate on vellum conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon the RNLI to the RNLI Chief Executive, Mr Andrew Freemantle. Also presented to the RNLI was a silver replica of a prominent tower, Scrabo Tower, which overlooks much of the Borough of Ards. Reciprocating the gesture Mr Freemantle, RNLI Chief Executive, presented the Mayor with a suitably inscribed ship's bell. Following the ceremony a luncheon was held at which expressions of thanks were conveyed to and from the RNLI.

Mr Andrew Freemantle, RNLI Chief Executive, addressing Aldermen,
Councillors and guests at the ceremony conferring the
Freedom of the Borough of Ards on the RNLI

Crew of Portaferry and Donaghadee lifeboat stations pictured with
the Mayor of Ards Borough Council, Councillor Tom Hamilton MLA,
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Margaret Craig,and Mr Andrew Freemantle, RNLI Chief Executive

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December 2000 - During the last 12 months provisional service statisitcs for Portaferry Lifeboat Station indicate that:

4 lives were saved

3 Persons were landed who's life was at risk

10 persons were brought in before they were at risk

In addition, 2 craft were saved and 4 craft were landed

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