Newcastle Lifeboat Crew Rescue Boat Adrift Towards Shipping Channel
- Robert Stone
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 27 May 2026
Newcastle RNLI volunteers launched on Tuesday afternoon to assist two people after their vessel suffered mechanical failure and began drifting towards a busy shipping channel off the County Down coast.
The alarm was raised at 2.49pm on Tuesday 26 May when Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of Newcastle RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to reports of an 8.5m Merry Fisher vessel adrift around eight nautical miles south of St John’s Point.
Helm Shane Rice, navigator Niall McMurray and crew members Danni Curley and Trez Dennison responded immediately and made their way to the scene.
On arrival, the volunteer crew found the two occupants safe and well and wearing lifejackets. However, with the vessel drifting towards a shipping channel and posing a potential navigational hazard, the RNLI crew decided the safest option was to establish a tow.
The casualty vessel was subsequently taken to Ardglass Marina, where it was safely berthed around an hour later with assistance from Kilkeel Coastguard.
Speaking after the callout, Newcastle RNLI helm Shane Rice urged anyone heading onto the water during the current spell of warm weather to take appropriate precautions.
“As we continue to enjoy some hot weather, we encourage anyone planning a trip on the water to go prepared,” he said.
“Always wear a lifejacket or suitable personal flotation device, always carry a means of communication such as a fully charged mobile phone and always let someone know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Rice also reiterated the RNLI’s “Float to Live” advice for anyone unexpectedly entering the water.
“Stay calm and fight any instinct to panic or thrash around. Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat,” he said.
“Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, call for help or raise your hand or swim to safety if you are able.”
