Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Responds to Yacht Aground in Strangford Lough
- Robert Stone
- 3 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Saturday 15 August 2026
Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew were called into action on Friday afternoon after reports were received of a yacht aground in Strangford Lough.
The volunteer crew pagers sounded at 3.26pm following a report to Belfast Coastguard of the yacht in difficulty. The station’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, was launched at 3.30pm with helm Oliver Rogers and volunteer crew members Becca Nightingale, James O’Neill and Molly Crowe onboard.
Conditions on the lough were favourable, with cloudy skies, good visibility and a smooth sea state.
The lifeboat reached the yacht within 15 minutes of launching. By the time the crew arrived, a nearby vessel had already gone to the yacht’s assistance and the casualty had been successfully freed from her position.
The Portaferry RNLI crew remained alongside the yacht as she made her way towards safer waters, ensuring that there were no further difficulties before returning to the station.
A total of eleven volunteer crew members responded to their pagers for the callout, providing the necessary resources to launch and crew the lifeboat.
On returning to the boathouse, Blue Peter V was washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next emergency call.
The prompt response of the Portaferry RNLI volunteers, together with assistance from a nearby vessel, ensured that the yacht was able to reach safer waters without further incident.
Portaferry RNLI would remind all those using Strangford Lough to check weather and tidal conditions before setting out and to ensure that their vessel and safety equipment are in good working order.
