Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI respond to false alarm with good intent
- Robert Stone
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Monday 16 March 2026
In the early hours of Monday morning (16 March), Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI responded to a false alarm with good intent.
The volunteer crews were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch and carry out a search from Newcastle Harbour to Kilkeel Harbour, following the activation of an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
Newcastle RNLI’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat helmed by Niall McMurray and with crew members Ciaran Leneghan, Emmy Torrens and Declan McClelland onboard, launched at 3.59am and commenced a three hour search including a return leg up to two nautical miles off shore. Kilkeel RNLI meanwhile, searched from Kilkeel Harbour to Rostrevor and back.
Newcastle and Kilkeel Coastguard Rescue Teams were also tasked along with the Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Sligo, Rescue 118.
Nothing untoward was found and Newcastle RNLI returned to station at 7am and awaited further instruction from the Coastguard.
The search was subsequently stood down at 7.50am after the EPIRB was located inland.
Speaking following the call out, Newcastle RNLI Helm Niall McMurray said: ‘This was an extensive search in the early hours of this morning and we want to thank and commend all involved in what was a great joint effort from all the various emergency services. While on this occasion, it proved to be a false alarm with good intent, we would always much rather launch and find nothing, than not launch at all.
We would encourage anyone using an EPIRB which can be a lifesaving piece of equipment to choose a GPS enabled one and to ensure it is registered to the vessel in use.’
