Local police requested assistance of Belfast Coastguard in locating missing female near Killyleagh

Portaferry Lifeboat requested to launch to assist in the search.

Missing person located whilst lifeboat was on passage to the area and lifeboat stood down and returned to station at 23:50

999 report received by Belfast Coastguard from a member of the public advising that a group of canoeists were in difficulty and that people were seen in the water off Green Island, Killyleagh, Strangford Lough.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service. Crew were training in the lifeboat station and lifeboat launched and on passage to the casualties within four minutes from the crew being paged by HMCG.

Coastguard shore teams from Bangor and Portaferry dispatched to the area.

On the arrival on scene of Portaferry Lifeboat it was found that a group of 5 Canadian type canoes containing 14 persons had become seperated into three positions within a half mile radius.  Increasingly adverse winds (F6 westerly) and associated sea conditions in the area.

Four teenagers, whose canoe had capsized, were immediatly taken from the water by the lifeboat crew..

The dive support RhIB 'Nemo' then arrived on scene and took a further 5 teenage casualties on board for safety from 2 canoes and remained on watch in position with an adult group leader left on board one of the canoes.

Portaferry Lifeboat proceeded to another position and took a further 4 persons on board from two partially swamped canoes that had been arranged in a catamaran configeration.

With 8 casualties on board, Portaferry Lifeboat then proceeded back to the position of the RhIB 'Nemo' and took off 5 teenage casualties.

Portaferry Lifeboat proceeded to Killyleagh harbour with 13 casualties who were landed to safety ashore and assisted by awaiting paramedics, coastguards and police. (Oxygen equipment from the lifeboat was taken ashore to supplement equipment being used by paramedics. Several casualties suffering from hypothermia transported by ambulance to hospital)

Portaferry Lifeboat then returned to the RhIB 'Nemo' and collected the adult leader of the group. The lifeboat proceeded to Killyleagh where one adult male was landed to safety ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to the area and picked up some kit bags from the RhIB 'Nemo' that belonged to several of the casulties and took these and 2 canoes aboard that were subsequently landed ashore at Portaferry.

Portaferry Lifeboat then returned to the area to search for 3 of the canoes from which persons had earlier been rescued.  Two canoes were found washed ashore on to Chapel Island and were left for later collection by their owners.

Portaferry Lifeboat was unable to locate the third missing canoe and returned to station at 13:50.

Note: A floating kit-bag was sighted in the Strangford Narrows on the ebb tide later in the day and when retrieved by a local vessel was found to be attached to a submerged canoe.

Belfast Coatguard received a 999 call reporting 2 divers in difficulty at Lee's Wreck, Ballyhenry Bay, Strangford Lough

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service.

Coastguard shore team dispatched to the area.

On the arrival of Portaferry Lifeboat it was found that both divers had been able to make their own way ashore where local coastguards were present to assist.

Portaferry Lifeboat crew stood down and lifeboat returned to the Station at 15:15

Following medical advice, both divers were transferred by ambulance to hospital for observation.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service at the request of HM Coastguard following reports by local police of a 10m fishing vessel with engine failure located close to the entrance of Ardglass harbour, County Down. Two persons on board.

On arrival off Ardglass, Portaferry Lifeboat crew located the stricken vessel.

Vessel towed into Ardglass harbour where two persons were landed to safety ashore

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 12:30

LOM received a report at 23:01 from a lifeboat crew member that a 19ft Orkney power boat with 4 persons and 1 dog on board had left Portaferry at 22:05 in foggy conditions but had not yet arrived at Strangford.

LOM proceeded immediately to the lifeboat station and after speaking to the same crew member decided to alert the lifeboat crew to launch the lifeboat.  

After several attempts to contact the vessel by mobile phone the LOM was eventually able to speak to another crewmember who was on board the overdue vessel to get an update on their position.

LOM advised Belfast Coastguard that lifeboat was in the process of being launched on service and was advised by HMCG that they were aware of the incident through an earlier 999 call at 22:59

Lifeboat launched on service at 23:11   

Casualty vessel was located beached at the northern end Ballyhenry Bay by the lifeboat crew.

Casualty vessel refloated and then escorted by the Portaferry Lifeboat to safety in Strangford harbour where 4 persons and one dog were landed to safety ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 23:50

Portaferry Lifeboat launched at the request of HM Coastguard following a 999 call reporting that 6 persons out of a party of 23 kayakers were in the water off Castle Island, in the northern part of Ringhaddy Sound.  

The party of 23 kayakers were in 8 Canadian style canoes that had been paired together in a catamaran configeration using steel bars and rope.

On the arrival of the lifeboat on-scene, 4 of the persons had already been picked up by the motor cruiser 'Zeta'.   The remaining 2 kayakers were located by the lifeboat crew and brought on board the lifeboat.  

Both vessels, with the casualties aboard, proceeded to Whiterock where 6 persons were landed into the care of coastguards and ambulance crew.

Portaferry Lifeboat then returned to the search area off Castle Island and escorted the remaining 17 canoeists to safety ashore at Strangford Lough Yacht Club.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 16:15

1st LAUNCH

Portaferry Lifeboat launched following a 999 call to HM Coastguard reporting that a 5m Orkney power boat with 6 persons on board was experiencing engine difficulties off Church Point in the Strangford Narrows.  

The vessel's engine was restarted by the owners and the vessel was then able to make its way to the pontoon at Strangford harbour.

The lifeboat crew confirmed that everyone on board were safe before returning to station.

2nd LAUNCH

Portaferry Lifeboat launched at the request of HM Coastguard following a report by local coastguards that a 10m yacht near the old Katherine Quay at Strangford village had slipped its moorings and had beached about 20 metres away.

On arrival the lifeboat crew found that two persons were already on board the vessel.

The lifeboat crew assisted those on board in securing a line to the yacht's mooring so that it could be pulled back on to it on the rising tide.

Lifeboat returned to station at 21:05

3rd LAUNCH

Portaferry Lifeboat launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to search for a 10m yacht with two persons on board estimated to be about 10 nautical miles south-east of the Strangford Bar.  

The yacht had been on passage from Strangford Lough to Peel in the Isle of Man and was reported by those on board to have engine failure and unable to make way due to a lack of wind.

Peel all weather lifeboat also launched on service.

Portaferry Lifeboat located the casualty vessel at 22:35 with the aid of its on-board direction finding equipment in a position 10.8 miles ESE of the Strangford Bar buoy.

After putting a crew member on board the casualty vessel, it was taken under tow by Portaferry Lifeboat for approx 4 nautical miles towards Peel when Peel all weather lifeboat arrived on scene and took over the tow .

The yacht was towed into Peel harbour by Peel Lifeboat where two persons were landed to safety ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat departed from the scene for Portaferry after the tow was transferred to Peel Lifeboat and arrived back at Portaferry Lifeboat Station at 0045.

4th LAUNCH (within 24 hours)

HM Coastguard requested the launch of Portaferry Lifeboat to assist a 8ft punt with engine difficulties.  

The vessel with one person on board had broken down off Church Point in the Strangford Narrows in the strong ebb tide whilst towing two canadian type canoes with 5 persons on board .

The lifeboat crew quickly located the punt with the two canoes off the Scotsman Rocks and took all six persons on board.

Following the securing of a tow line, the punt and canoes were taken to Strangford harbour where six persons were landed to safety ashore.

Portaferry lifeboat returned to Station at 17:05

Lifeboat crew were completing a training exercise when information received that police and coastguards were commencing a search for a missing person.

Lifeboat launched on service to search the Narrows area of Strangford Lough and police helicopter tasked.

Missing person found ashore safe and well shorthly afterwards and search terminated.

Lifeboat returned to station at 21:50

Lifeboat launched on service following a 999 call to HM Coastguard reporting that a person was missing at Sketrick Island, Strangford Lough.

Coastguard, police and members of the public searched Sketrick Island and lifeboat crew searched the surrounding waters.

Nothing found and search terminated at 04:00.

Lifeboat returned to station at 04:20

Note: Missing person found later at home, safe and well.

Report received by Belfast Coastguard from Holyhead Coastguard and Ardglass Marina that a 6m open boat with a 60hp outboard and two persons on board had went aground at the entrance to Ardglass harbour.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service and on arrival off Ardglass harbour found that two of the crew from the casualty vessel had been able to scramble onto rocks  A local fishing vessel, the Imoan, had also assisted by pulling the casualty off the rocks and was attempting to tow the vessel into the harbour.

After the lifeboat crew were sure that the two crew from the casualty vessel were safe the lifeboat went along-side the Imoan who requested that the lifeboat take over the tow.

The lifeboat crew found that the casualty vessel was taking on a considerable amount of water and shortly after transferring the tow the casualty vessel up-ended and sank.

After recording the Lat' & Long' position of the of the sunken vessel the lifeboat crew gathered up various flotsam which was then landed at Ardglass harbour.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 14:15

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service following a 999 call reporting that a crew-member on a 12m yacht that was participating in a local regatta had received head injuries, believed to be due to being struck by the yacht's boom..

The lifeboat proceeded to Marlfield Bay to rendezvous with the yacht and after assessing the injuries sustained by the casualty, who already had received some on-board first aid treatment to his head wound, it was decided prudent to take the injured male onto the lifeboat for transfer ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat then proceeded to Strangford Harbour where paramedics transported the injured male to hospital by ambulance.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service following a request by Belfast Coastguard to assist a yacht aground in dense fog off Dogtail Point at the entrance to Strangford Lough. Two adults and two children on board.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 10:54 and located the 13m yacht that had ran aground onto rocks in the dense sea fog.

The 'Cuan RhIB', owned by a crew member of Portaferry Lifeboat, also went to the aid of the stricken vessel which was already on scene and had taken up a position on the yacht's starboard (landward side).  The owner of the yacht had rigged up a halyard to to heel the vessl over pending the arrival of the lifeboat.

After three attempts the lifeboat was able to pull the yacht off the rocks.

Following and inspection of the vessel by the lifeboat crew for any hull damage the lifeboat escorted the vessel to Portaferry Marina where 2 adults and 2 children were landed to safety safely ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to Station.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service following multiple 999 reports to HM Coastguard of red distress flares seen in the area of Ardglass, County Down.

Lifeboat stood down 10 minutes after launch when it was discovered that the distress flares had been fired ashore by some young people.

Lifeboat returned to station at 01:20

Lifeboat crew paged by Belfast Coastguard following a report to Liverpool Coastguard from the crew of a RhIB who were concerned that a paddle-boarder might be in danger in South Bay in the Strangford Narrows.

A search of the sea area was carried by Portaferry Lifeboat and the shoreline by a HM Coastguard team.  

The lifeboat crew could not locate the paddle-boarder but spotted a person ashore on the beach at Ballyquinton Point.   This information was relayed to the shore Coastguard search team who reported shortly afterwards that the person ashore was indeed the paddle-boarder who had been reported to be in difficulty.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 18:10  

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service at the request of HM Coastguard following a 999 call from the race control committee boat of East Down Yacht Club reporting that a multiple number of GP 14 dinghies had capsized during sudden squalls gusting to force 6-7.  

A fleet of 88 GP 14's had been participating in a world championship racing event on Strangford Lough.

(HM Coastguard decided to declare a 'major incident' as there was a potential for the situation to escalate due to the severity of the reported weather conditions .)

Newcastle Lifeboat also launched on service. Coastguards, paramedic teams and 2 SAR helicopters tasked to the area.

On the arrival of Portaferry Lifeboat in the racing area at 14:05 most of the dinghies had been righted and were being sailed back by their crew to East Down Yacht Club escorted by numerous race safety boats.

The lifeboat then went alongside the race committee boat where 6 race participants were on board who had been recovered earlier from the water.  As the dinghy sailors were rather cold and wet it was decided to transfer them to the lifeboat for transportation ashore at East Down Yacht Club..   

After a quick check by the lifeboat crew it was decided to place one person in an ambulance bag before everyone was taken to safety ashore at East Down Yacht Club where paramedics and coastguards were already in attendance.  

The lifeboat then returned to the racing area and found a competitor trying to recover his dinghy from the shore.  It was discovered that the vessel had been holed and the competitor was then taken on board the lifeboat and transferred to safety ashore at East Down yacht Club.

After returning to the search area for the third time it was shortly afterwards confirmed by Belfast Coastguard that all persons had been accounted for and the lifeboat and all other rescue services were stood down.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 16:00.

Lifeboat crew paged following a 999 call to Belfast Coastguard reporting that a 6m RhIB with 2 persons on board was low on fuel and unsure of their position due to local foggy conditions.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service and quickly located the casualty vessel after those on board assisted by flashing a white torch light.

After transferring a female on board the lifeboat the casualty vessel was then taken under tow to Ringhaddy (with one adult male remaining on board) from where the vessel had departed earlier in the evening.

Two persons landed to safety ashore at Ringhaddy and Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 23:58

Police requested assistance through Belfast Coastguard for two persons who were cut off by the tide on Rough Island, Strangford Lough.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched on service and whilst on passage the crew were advised that both persons had started to make their way ashore on the falling tide.

Portaferry Lifeboat arrived on scene and stood by until both persons were safely ashore.

Portaferry Lifeboat then returned to station at 20:55

Request to launch received from Belfast Coastguard thanks to a telephone report by a kayaker of an adult male seen to be waist deep in water near Rainey Island, Strangford Lough.

Portaferry Lifeboat launched and following searches off Rainey and Sketrick islands nothing was found.

After a search into Reagh Bay a male wildfowler was located on Watson's Island when two of the lifeboat crew entered the water and assisted the casualty into the lifeboat.

With an ebb tide flowing the lifeboat crew negotiated the dangerous muddy shallows around the island and then proceeded to Ballydornan where the fatigued casualty was landed to safety ashore into the care of a coastguard team.

Portaferry Lifeboat returned to station at 15:55