Lifeboats and SRT Technicians were tasked by HM Coastguard Belfast at 05:41 to assist other statutory agencies with an operational incident in the vicinity of the Moyola River.

Upon arrival at the scene, our crew conducted a thorough search of the area and successfully located the reported person. Our team provided First Response Emergency Care on-site before transferring the casualty into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

It is with great sadness that we have since learned of the casualty’s passing. Our heartfelt thoughts, deepest sympathies, and prayers go out to their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all our emergency service colleagues for their professionalism and teamwork during this challenging operation.

Lifeboats paged at 14:43 by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a 24ft yacht which had lost power near Antrim. Once on scene it was established the vessel had lost power and run aground. After checking the casualty vessel, a tow was connected and the vessel pulled free. Once free we towed the vessel to its mooring located within the Antrim Marina.

Lifeboats then returned to station, washed and refuelled and ready for service.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 19:26 to reports of a 16ft vessel in difficulty at Croaghan Island.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 11:38 to reports of a 17ft vessel with 5 POB in difficulty at Coney Island.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 13:15 to reports of a fire on Coney Island. NIFRS had requested LNR take them to the island to investigate.

Lifeboats tasked during the night by Belfast Coastguard at 1:12 am to 5 casualties stranded on Coney Island. Lifeboats proceeded to Coney Island and took the casualties to safety at Maghery. Lifeboats returned to base at 4:30 am. Boats washed and refuelled ready for our next tasking.

Whilst attending a very successful Antrim Boat Club Open Day 2024 Lifeboats were tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:56

to reports of a 21ft Motor Cruiser which had broken down at Gartree Point. The boat was located and towed to Sandy Bay (Crumlin Marina) where we handed the casualties and vessel over to Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue Team. 

Before returning home we were made aware of another vessel which might be in difficulty, but in further investigation this was deemed a false alarm.

Crews tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 14:46 to an incident near Antrim. Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 15:16 to a sailing vessel aground near Antrim. The casualty was swiftly located and towed.

Lifeboats tasked at 13:57 by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a vessel in difficulties.

On further investigation by Belfast Coastguard it was established to be a temporary weather station located in the Antrim bay.

Crews returned ready for our next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 20:34 to reports of paddle boarders in difficulty near Ballyronan. More details to follow.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 14:02 to reports of a vessel in difficulty near Tolans Point. Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:50 to a sailing vessel aground near Antrim. The casualty was swiftly located and towed.

Crews tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:31 to an incident at Coney Island.  Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 19:53. Details to follow

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 14:29 to a cruiser broken down near Ardboe. The casualty was swiftly located and towed.

Crews tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 14:43 to an incident at Ballyronan.  Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 3.22pm to reports of a yacht aground close to Castor Bay. 

Lifeboats launched and quickly located the casualty vessel, after assessing for damage with none found, the lifeboat then towed the stricken vessel to safe water where it was released and escorted into Kinnego Marina.  

Lifeboats returned to base ready for the next tasking.

Lifeboats paged at 10:39pm last night (Thursday 9th May 2024) by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a red flare being fired from Rams Island.

After an extensive search of Rams Island and the surrounding area, Lifeboats where stood down and returned to base at 2:30am.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 6.00pm to reports of two persons in difficulty, close to Oxford Island. The casualties were on board an inflatable boat and an inflatable kayak at the time and could not get back to shore due to the weather conditions.

Lifeboats launched and made best speed to the tasking area and quickly located the boat with 2 persons on board, this was due to the casualties deciding to stay together.  

When on scene the lifeboat crew then took the casualties onto the lifeboat and brought them safely back to the jetty in Kinnego Marina. 

Lifeboats returned to base ready for our next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 1:11am to reports of a vessel aground with 2 persons on board, approx. 2nm north of the Battery Harbour. 

Lifeboats launched and commenced a search before locating the casualty vessel a short time later.  The lifeboat made its way towards the casualty vessel and crew conducted a lee shore rescue. 

Upon taking the casualties on board the lifeboat crew provided blankets to help warm the individuals. A tow line was secured, and both the casualties and their vessel were brought safely to shore at the Battery Harbour.

Lifeboats returned to base ready for our next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 11:08pm last night (Thursday 25th April 2024) to reports of 3 persons being stranded on Rams Island. 

Lifeboats launched and upon arriving on scene assessed the casualties and their vessel. 

The decision was made to take the 3 persons to land as swiftly as possible. The 3 casualties and their vessel were taken to shore by the lifeboats and were handed into the care of our colleagues from Lough Neagh Coastguard team.

Lifeboats returned to base ready for our next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 9:47pm to reports of a person entering the Sixmile river in Antrim. 

On attending the scene the person was helped from the water by our colleagues from Antrim NIFRS who provided casualty care. The individual was then transported to hospital for further assessment and handed into the care of PSNI. 

Lifeboats returned to base ready for our next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 18:21 to a 24ft vessel broken down near Gawleys Gate. The casualty was swiftly located and towed.

Lifeboats tasked at 11:49am by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a vessel sending an emergency AIS alert.

Lifeboats conducted a search of the identified signal area in thick fog but nothing was found.

On further investigation by Belfast Coastguard it was established to be a temporary weather station located in the Antrim bay.

Lifeboats returned to station ready for our next tasking.

Lough Neagh Rescue volunteers and our colleagues from the Community Rescue Service and Sky Watch have been working tirelessly from Wednesday 20th December 2023 to locate a missing person from the Antrim town area.

Volunteers will continue our searches over the festive period as well as remaining on call to assist in other emergency taskings.

Update 18th February

Our Lifeboat  and Swiftwater Rescue Technicians along with our colleagues from the Community Rescue Service searched tirelessly for 59 days trying to locate the missing person.

On Sunday afternoon 18th February 2024 after an extensive planned search our colleagues from the Community Rescue Service located a body believed to be that of the missing person.

Lough Neagh Rescue wishes to offer our deepest sympathies to the individuals mother, son and extended family circle in this most difficult time. 

We wish to put on record our sincere thanks to all our rescue partners Sky Watch NI, Search And Rescue Dog Association SARDA Ireland North & Foyle Search and Rescue who helped or offered assistance throughout this difficult search.

Flood and Swift Water Response teams tasked at 21:53 on Tuesday night to Portadown to provide aid during the ongoing flooding in the region.

The teams conducted assessments of affected residences and extended offers of assistance to residents who desired to evacuate their homes.

Additionally, the crews collaborated with the Department for Infrastructure teams to aid in the placement of sandbags at residents’ homes.

The teams were stood down and returned to the station at 2am,  equipment washed down and made ready for the next tasking.

Crews tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:59 to an incident at Rea’s Wood. Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Crews tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 20:57 to an incident at Toome. 

Crews attended and were stood down once the incident was resolved.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 23:16 to a vessel appearing in difficulty near Rams Island.

As crews arrived at the station we received confirmation the vessel was not in difficulty.

Crews stood down, ready for our next tasking.