LNR Crew enjoyed an evening Orienteering at Craigavon Lakes finished of with Domino’s Pizza. The winning team where subject to a “stewards enquiry” as claims of cheating and mis-direction abounded.
The evening, although it was chilly out, was attended by almost all the Crew. Everyone agreed it had been a fantastic success. Thanks to Mark Cahoon who made the arrangements.
Once again the children of Craigavon delighted in the arrival of Santa by Lifeboat up the River Bann to the Meadows Shopping Centre. The crowd this year where doubly treated by the arrival of not one, but two Lifeboats, delighting the even larger crowd than last year.
Units from LNR including Lifeboats from Kinnego, Ardboe and Antrim Stations took part in a missing person search of the River Bann. The search took place over 10 days co-ordinated by PSNI POLSA Officers. The search was regretably concluded by an eventual recovery by the Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Services Diving unit. Our sincere thanks go out to these volunteers who without asking for reward, attend such incidents throughout Ireland for the benefit of the community.
Units from the Battery Harbour, Sixmilewater and Kinnego bases tasked by NISAR SAR Co-ordinators for a person search in the vicinity of the River Bann Motorway bridge near Portadown.
Units have been on scene for the past 2 days. Today there was a concerted turnout of responders’ with HMCG Officers, 30 PSNI Officers, 25 LNR, 1 SAR Dog, 60 CRS volunteers, 3 Lifeboats ( Antrim, Kinnego & Ardboe), Police TSG, 2 Helicopters and 1 fixed wing aircraft.
Search resumes Tuesday, after area is cleared by Police Dive Team.
Official vehicles used by Lough Neagh Rescue have been permitted to use flashing emergency lights, following a change in legislation.
The Justice Minister, David Ford, said the group’s own vehicles would now be treated as a rescue service under police direction.
This has now been confirmed to us today by the PSNI, and marks a major step forward and recognition of the valuable contribution Voluntary Emergency Responders make on behalf of the community. This is a significant event, driven by NISAR (Northern Ireland Search & Rescue) of which LNR is a major partner.
On Saturday @ 16:45hrs while carrying out Navigational exercises on the South Shore we entered Emersons Sand Quay. It was there discovered that the “Sunrise” a Barge that had previously sunk and been re-floated had a deep seated smouldering fire on board.
HMCG was immediately informed and they turned out NIFRS from 2 seperate Stations. LNR was tasked by HMCG to provide “Guardian cover” for the Fire Personnel on board.
On Saturday, we were delighted to host Staff and Pupils from Lurgan Junior High School, who had approached LNR with a view to helping us make, both a promotional video for School Educational needs and a short presentation video to help promote our service to the wider public.
Filming took place between 10am and 4-30pm, it was a long day for crews and visitors alike and the first of a number of visits to get all of the required footage ”in the can”
“The Cast”
Many thanks to the crew who attended this training, your individual certificates are available to collect at the Kinnego Station
At 16:04 Lnr was tasked to a 16 ft Shetland boat, 2 persons on board, stuck on rocks at South end of Rams Island. LNR Crew were quickly on scene. Two swimmers were put in the water to assess the situation. The crew managed to free vessel by hand and pull to deeper water were life boat set up a tow returning casualtys and vessel back safely to Crumlin marina were they were handed over to the local Coastguard team, safe and well. Lifeboat returned to base 17:30 2 persons rescued. Wind SE F4
Lough Neagh Rescue Sixmilewater was delighted to welcome Antrim’s Mayor Paul Michael to Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre to inspect the Lifeboat Gary Breen and to present crewmembers with certificates from the Equalities Commission for recent training received. Junction One have named Lough Neagh Rescue as their Charity of the Month for September 2011. To date this has raised just over £3900 through donations and raffle tickets for Lough Neagh Rescue. This is a major boost for Lough Neagh Rescue Sixmilewater volunteers who have since September 2009 have been working in conjunction with the existing members of Lough Neagh Rescue to fundraise and to train crewmembers for a Lifeboat Station on the banks of Antrim’s Sixmilewater. The Mayor will be making the draw for the Lough Neagh Rescue raffle early in October. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the customers of Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre and the staff on site who have been very helpful and supportive during our visit to Junction One. The expectation for September fundraising at Junction One is now around £5000 which is simply amazing
The station at Antrim will not only offer immediate assistance to incidents in Antrim Bay , but also will have a Resilience Unit to cover Swift Water Rescue and flood response, with crewmembers trained to Swiftwater Rescue Technician level. Support from the local community has been tremendous, with £15,000 in cash donations given freely by people from every walk of life. Local politicians have shown massive support and been on hand ready to offer help or advice when needed. Antrim Borough Council has offered to provide £12,000 towards annual running costs for the new Station. The Enkalon Foundation has also been generous towards our efforts. The Council have also identified land for the new Station at the Lough Shore Park. Planning for this is now at an advanced stage. The MOD have also added their support in that they have kindly gifted 2 Portacabins’, to help us quickly establish a presence in the Borough.
The list of supporters for this project grows day by day, it is humbling to those of us intent on seeing a Lifeboat Station in Antrim, that the generosity of Council, Public, MOD, PSNI, and even our Euro MP’s never seems to wain.
