Some photos from LNR training session tonight. During the winter the majority of our training takes place in darkness.

Kinnego Lifeboat

Kinnego Lifeboat

Kinnego Lifeboat returns to Kinnego Station under a Full Moon

Kinnego Lifeboat back at base

Callouts = 14
Persons Assisted = 13
Persons Rescued = 14 + 1 Dog

The crew of LNR would like to wish everyone a safe and happy new years boating.

LNR tasked by HMCG Belfast to a report of a 28 foot motor cruiser with 2 Persons on board unsure of their position. The vessel had been en-route from Rams Island to Kinnego Marina when the light faded and the skipper became disorientated. Both Ardboe & Kinnego Lifeboats were launched and along with our Lough Neagh Coast Guard teams carried out an extensive search. The casualty vessel was located at Ardmore Point and escorted back to Kinnego. Both Lifeboats returned back to base.

At approx 10:00 hrs HMCG paged LNR to a vessel in distress with engine trouble. Both Ardboe & Kinnego lifeboats were quickly launched. The vessel was located in the vicinity of Blackers rock on the western shore. Ardboe lifeboat made the casualty vessel safe and undertook a tow to the Battery Harbour where the shore team help assist the stricken vessel and both casualties. Both lifeboats returned to stations 11:00 hrs.

At 0722hrs HMCG paged LNR to multiple reports of a red flare being seen in the Toome Bay area . Both Ardboe & Kinnego lifeboats were launched and quickly on scene. In poor light and strong wind conditions, both boats swept the shores of Toome Bay area aided by onboard heat seeking equipment. As visibility improved both boats together swept the entire area. After extensive searching both boats were stood down by HMCG and returned to base at 1000hrs.

The Board of Lough Neagh Rescue are working alongside the Charities Commission in order to clarify a membership issue.
We continue to provide a full search and rescue facility to all users of Lough Neagh.

Jim McCann
Lough Neagh Rescue Crew Member 1989-2012

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our long serving crew member Jim McCann. Jim was on the very first crew list and soon showed his leadership qualities and was appointed a Coxswain. He also served as Training Officer, Station Officer and a Board Member on many occasions.
Jim set high standards for himself and for us all and he never wavered from these standards. You could always rely on Jim, he was a man of his word, a man of the highest integrity.
Jim always had the interests of Lough Neagh Rescue and safety on Lough Neagh at heart.
We have lost a good friend, a loyal crewmate and a great asset to Lough Neagh Rescue.
Our condolences go out to his wife Jennifer, his three daughters and his grandaughter as well as his brother Sean (who was also on the very first crew list and served for many years) and the entire McCann family and family circle and his many friends.
He will be sadly missed but very fondly remembered by all at Lough Neagh Rescue.

Lough Neagh Rescue was tasked by HMCG at 17.53 to a report of a yacht with 2 persons onboard which was aground near Owen Roe Island. Minutes later Kinnego lifeboat arrived on scene, assessed the vessel which was taking on water. Crew were transferred onto Kinnego Lifeboat and casualty vessel was quickly re-floated and taken under tow to Kinnego Marina where Coastguard assisted casualties. 2 persons rescued.
All boats back in base by 18:45.

At 23:45 HMCG tasked both Ardboe & Kinnego lifeboats to a vessel taking on water near Lignaboy Point with one person on board. Ardboe lifeboat arrived on scene, assisted the vessel which had sustained damage to its hull and had taken a lot of water on-board. Crew swiftly took the casualty on-board Ardboe lifeboat and brought them safely to shore.
1 person rescued. Lifeboats back at base 01:45

At 15:00 HMCG tasked both Ardboe & Kinnego lifeboats to a 15ft yacht sinking outside Kinnego bay with 2 persons onboard. The Kinnego harbourmaster boat was already on scene and assisted to take casualties off and onto a passing vessel as they kept the casualty vessel afloat until lifeboats arrived. Both lifeboats successfully re-floated the vessel and towed it into Kinnego Marina. Praise was given to the harbourmaster boat crew for their swift action. 2 persons rescued.