Independent Lifeboat Services in Northern Ireland
Independent Lifeboat Services in Northern Ireland
Photo Credit: Foyle Search & Rescue
Voluntary Independent Search and Rescue Organisations in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the commitment to safety and emergency response extends beyond well-known organizations like the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). There are several voluntary independent organisations that play a crucial role in providing Search and Rescue (SAR) services both at sea and on inland waterways. These groups operate independently of the RNLI and are vital resources in times of distress.
These voluntary organisations are recognized as declared resources, meaning they are formally integrated into the emergency response system. They are always ready to act, providing their services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This constant availability ensures that they can respond swiftly to emergencies within their designated areas of responsibility.
The section below contains information on some of these organisations. For further information visit the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue website
Community Rescue Service
The Community Rescue Service (CRS) are a voluntary search and rescue organisation who provide a range of services including Water Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue, Suicide Prevention, Lowland Rescue Search Dogs, Safety Patrols, Lowland Rescue, CRS Emergency Bikes and Crisis Intervention for all of Northern Ireland
CRS have a fleet of 16 boats and several specially trained water rescue teams to ensure we can provide an immediate and appropriate response. Some of these boats and other water craft are permanently stationed in strategic locations on the River Bann, the River Lagan, the River Finn and the Mourne. Others are kept ready on trailers to be deployed anywhere they may be required.
Foyle Search and Rescue
Foyle Search and Rescue is voluntary based search and rescue charity, operating in Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
Foyle Search and Rescue was set up by local people in 1993 in response to the alarmingly high number of drownings in the river (30 within 18 months) and has adopted the role of preventing suicide and supporting families in the City.
Lough Neagh Rescue
Lough Neagh Rescue provides an independent voluntary Search and Rescue service on Western Europe’s largest shallow lake, being over 152 Sq miles of water expanse.
Presently, they operate 3 lifeboat stations positioned strategically on the riparian shores of Lough Neagh, namely at Kinnego Marina, the Battery Harbour, Ardboe and at Antrim Marina.
