Portaferry RNLI crew search Strangford Lough after reported flares
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Portaferry RNLI volunteers were called to action late on Monday night, 7 September, following reports of flares being seen from the eastern shores of Strangford Lough.
At 10.51pm, the station's pagers sounded after Belfast Coastguard received reports that flares had been sighted in the area between Ardkeen and Kircubbin.
The response was immediate. Portaferry RNLI's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, was launched with helm Rusty McGovern and crew members Rosslyn Wetret, Becca Nightingale and Chris Hannon onboard.
The night was cloudy, with fair visibility, a gentle Force 3 south-westerly breeze and a slight sea state, conditions that allowed the lifeboat to make good progress as the crew headed towards the reported position.
Once on scene, the volunteers began a search of the area, working methodically through the waters where the flares were believed to have been seen.
Searches were carried out over the course of the operation, but there was no sign of a casualty, vessel or further distress signal.
With nothing found and no further information received, Belfast Coastguard stood the lifeboat crew down.
Blue Peter V arrived back at Portaferry boathouse at 12.45am, where the volunteers washed down and refuelled the lifeboat before preparing her for the next call.
A total of 12 Portaferry RNLI volunteers responded to their pagers during the callout.
For the crew, the work continued after the search was over: equipment checked, the lifeboat made ready and the station returned to its familiar state of readiness, waiting for the next sound of the pagers.
