Portaferry RNLI crew assist seven people after RIB suffers engine failure
- Robert Stone
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
Monday 10 November 2025
On Saturday morning (8 November), the Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew sprang into action following an emergency alert. At 11:40 am the crew's pagers sounded, signaling a call for help from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that had suffered engine failure. The distress signal came from a location south of the Fairway Buoy, at the entrance to Strangford Lough, where seven individuals were aboard the stranded vessel.
The inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, was promptly launched with Helm Helm Oliver Rogers, accompanied by volunteer crew members Scott Blackwood, Simon Rogers, and Steve Lloyd. The conditions were relatively mild, with a force 3 gentle breeze and clear visibility, making it an opportune moment for a swift rescue operation.
Despite the favorable weather, the lifeboat faced the challenge of an incoming tide as it raced toward the Fairway Buoy. Upon reaching the designated location, the crew discovered that the casualty vessel had drifted slightly less than a mile east of the buoy.
Upon arrival at the scene, the RNLI crew meticulously assessed the situation. All seven passengers aboard the RIB were found to be safe and unharmed, though the vessel itself was adrift and unable to resolve its engine troubles independently. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the crew made the crucial decision to establish a towline.
Speaking after the call out, Portaferry RNLI volunteer helm, Oliver Rogers, commented: 'The casualties did the right thing to ask for assistance as soon as the engine failed.
'When the casualty vessel was located, it had drifted quite a distance from where it had been when the engine had failed, and we faced big swells despite there being just a gentle breeze.
'We would remind all boat owners to check their vessel's engine before going out onto the water. Always check the weather and tides before venturing out, wear a lifejacket or suitable personal flotation device for your activity and always carry a means of calling for help. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
