Newcastle RNLI Responds to Two Separate Incidents Off Newcastle Harbour

Wednesday 15 July 2026

Newcastle RNLI volunteers responded to two separate incidents off Newcastle Harbour on Tuesday evening (14 July), towing a broken-down RIB and an unmanned drifting vessel to safety.

Photo: RNLI/Newcastle

The second call came shortly after 7pm when Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of Newcastle RNLI's inshore D class lifeboat following reports from a member of the public that a 3.5-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) had broken down off Newcastle Harbour with two people on board.

Weather conditions at the time were favourable, with calm seas, a light southerly breeze and clear skies.

Helm Niall McMurray, together with crew members Danni Curley and Tara McKay, quickly located the casualty vessel and carried out an assessment. With the RIB unable to make safe onward progress, the crew determined it posed a potential hazard to local shipping and risked drifting towards swimmers and other beach users.

The RNLI crew established a tow and safely brought the vessel back to Newcastle Beach without incident.

Earlier that same evening, the volunteer crew had responded to an unoccupied vessel found adrift off Newcastle Harbour. Recognising the potential danger it presented to other water users and passing vessels, Helm Andrew Lynas, supported by crew members Danni Curley and Tara McKay, towed the drifting boat safely ashore at Newcastle Beach.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring vessels are well maintained before heading afloat and of contacting the Coastguard promptly if assistance is required.