Newcastle RNLI comes to the aid of injured lone sailor
- Robert Stone
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Monday 2 March 2026
On Saturday evening (28 February), Newcastle RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor who suffered an injury on a pleasure craft while close to shore.
Both the station’s inshore lifeboats were requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 4.57pm to assess the situation where a lone sailor was reported to be injured onboard a 10m pleasure craft that was nearing the shore at Newcastle Beach.
Weather at the time was deteriorating and there was a further concern that the boat may be at risk of running aground at the beach.
Newcastle RNLI’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, Beryllium, helmed by Lochlainn Leneghan, and with crew members Shane Rice, Danni Curley and Ciaran Leneghan onboard, was launched first and on scene at 5.15pm. Weather conditions at this stage were blowing a southwest Force 5 wind. There was a smooth sea and moderate visibility due to cloudy skies.
On arrival, a decision was made to transfer a crew member onto the pleasure craft to assess the casualty who had a suspected injury to their head. The station’s D class lifeboat, Mrs Cameron, helmed by Andrew Lynas, and with Shane Poland and Emmy Torrens onboard, was launched shortly after for the crew to provide further assistance and to put another casualty carer onboard the sailor’s boat.
Due to the deteriorating weather, the proximity of the vessel to the shore and the risk of the boat going aground, along with the need for the casualty to get further medical attention, it was decided the safest course of action was to transfer the casualty on to the D class lifeboat while the Atlantic 85 would take the boat under tow.
The casualty was subsequently brought ashore and transferred into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Meanwhile during the tow, one lifeboat crew member remained onboard the casualty’s boat along with their dog and budgie while the crew onboard the Atlantic 85 waited until the tide returned before a short time later manoeuvring the lifeboat into an alongside tow to safely bring the vessel into Newcastle Harbour.
Speaking following the call out, Newcastle RNLI Helm Lochlainn Leneghan said: ‘This was a challenging call out given the weather conditions, the close nature of the vessel to the beach and the casualty’s injury but everyone worked well together to bring the sailor and their vessel and pets safely to shore. We extend our best wishes to the casualty for a speedy and full recovery.’
