Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew rescue lone fisherman close to Killyleagh

Monday 23 March 2026

Portaferry RNLI crew pagers sounded at 12.52pm this afternoon (Monday 23rd March) after Belfast Coastguard received a call alerting them to a small vessel with one person onboard which had failed to return to Killyleagh, on the western shore of Strangford Lough.

Photo Credit: RNLI/Portaferry

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, launched at 1pm and quickly made its way towards Killyleagh with helm Paul Mageean and crew members Becca Nightingale and Blair Baillie onboard.

Conditions at the time were a moderate force 4 breeze, cloudy, with good visibility.

With updated information from the fisherman's family, the crew headed towards Dunnyneill Islands where they were joined by another vessel fishing in the area which had also started to search for the missing man.

When nothing was found close to the islands the lifeboat crew moved the search in the direction of Taggart Island and the small vessel was found to be in Holm Bay. Having suffered engine failure, the casualty onboard was attempting to row to shore.

Once located, the crew observed the casualty to be in good health but tired and making little progress against the southern breeze. After an assessment of the situation, the 15ft casualty vessel was brought into an along side tow and escorted closer to the shore, from where the more sheltered conditions allowed the fisherman to row himself to safety.

Speaking afterwards, Portaferry RNLI helm, Paul Mageean said: 'The fisherman's family did the right thing in calling the Coastguard and alerting the emergency services when the fisherman did not return to shore.

'The water was choppy in Holm Bay with a good southerly breeze blowing, and the casualty would have been in danger of exhaustion had he had to continue rowing for much longer.

'An improvement in the weather over the past couple of days was great to see, but we would remind all boat owners to check their vessel and it's engine before heading out onto the water, and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

'We would urge everyone to check the weather and tides, always 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.

'Each of the three boat crew on today's call out, left their place of work and responded to their pagers. Thank you to the employers who allow this to happen, and thanks to the crew of the other fishing vessel who assisted with today's search.'