Portaferry RNLI launches twice in just over an hour to separate emergencies
- Pat Nolan
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Monday 20 July 2026
Portaferry RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew responded to two separate emergency call outs on Sunday afternoon (19 July), launching first to reports of a person in the water in Strangford Lough before later assisting a pleasure craft with steering difficulties in the Irish Sea.
The volunteer crew's pagers first sounded at 2.59pm following a 999 call to the Coastguard reporting a person in the water just north of Portaferry lifeboat station in Strangford Lough.
The inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V launched immediately with helm Chris Adair and crew members Chris Hannon and Scott Blackwood onboard. The lifeboat arrived on scene within minutes, by which time the casualty had made it safely ashore and was already in the care of the Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat returned to station at 3.30pm where it was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service.
At 4.07pm, the crew's pagers sounded for a second time after the Coastguard received reports of an 8-metre pleasure craft with four people onboard which had developed steering difficulties 5.5 miles east of the entrance to Strangford Lough in the Irish Sea.
Blue Peter V launched again, this time with helm Chris Adair and crew members Chris Jenkins, Chris Hannon and Scott Blackwood onboard.
Weather conditions at the time were a force 4 moderate north-easterly breeze, with clear skies, good visibility and a moderately choppy sea.
On arrival, the lifeboat crew found the occupants of the casualty vessel well prepared and already using their emergency tiller. The RNLI crew remained alongside and escorted the vessel safely across Strangford Bar, after which the crew confirmed they were happy to continue the remainder of their journey without further assistance.
Speaking after the call outs, Portaferry RNLI volunteer lifeboat helm Chris Adair said:
"Yesterday our volunteer crew responded to two 999 calls. Making an emergency call early is the right thing to do. We would always prefer to launch and find a casualty ashore than for the call not to have been made."
"Arriving with the casualty vessel on the second call out, it was good to find the crew well prepared and able to continue on their journey."
"We would remind anyone going out on the water to check the weather and tide times for your location before venturing out, and to ensure you are wearing a lifejacket or appropriate flotation device for your activity, and always carry a means of calling for help."
"We urge boat owners to check their vessel before and during the summer months. Check your VHF radio often, ensuring it is switched on and operational, and monitor Channel 16 throughout your journey."
"If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
A total of 11 Portaferry RNLI volunteers responded to their pagers during Sunday's incidents. The station extends its thanks to the volunteers' employers, work colleagues, families and friends for their continued support, which enables crews to respond whenever the call for help comes.
