For emergencies on Lough Neagh and it’s tributary rivers call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Callouts

  • Callout 829

    Callout 829

    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.


  • Callout 828

    Callout 828

    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.


  • Callout 827

    Callout 827

    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.


  • Callout 826

    Callout 826

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

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


  • Callout 825

    Callout 825

    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.


  • Callout 824

    Callout 824

    Our crews were tasked at 22:01 to reports of a 21ft speed boat with two persons onboard that had lost power and drifting somewhere between the River Bann and Maghery.

    Boats made good speed and located the drifting vessel. After a thorough check, we commenced the tow, bringing the boat back to Maghery where it’s now securely tied up.

    Boats returned to base at 00:45 and made ready for next tasking .


  • Callout 823

    Callout 823

    Our crews were tasked at 5:38 AM By Belfast Coastguard to reports of a missing person in the River Blackwater in Moy Area

    Crews quickly responded with Lifeboats, Swiftwater, and shore teams on scene.

    We are pleased to inform you that the missing person has since been located.


  • Callout 822

    Callout 822

    Our crews were tasked at 17:31 to an incident on the River Blackwater. 

    Crews quickly responded with Lifeboats, Swiftwater, and shore teams on scene.

    After the incident was resolved crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 821

    Callout 821

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 13:09 to a report of Mayday VHF transmission of unknown location. Crews quickly responded and a thorough search of Lough Neagh was performed by the LNR Lifeboats for several hours. Nothing was found and the search was called off. Afterwards crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 820

    Callout 820

    At 19:49, Lough Neagh Rescue received an urgent distress call. A 27ft powerboat with one person on board was having engine trouble and taking on water to the east of Battery harbour 

    Our boats were swiftly launched, navigating rough conditions to reach the stricken vessel. Upon arrival, a thorough assessment was conducted on the casualty boat. Following this assessment, a secure tow line was successfully attached.

    The boat was safely towed a short distance back to the Battery Harbour. Our dedicated shore team was ready and waiting to assist the vessel alongside the jetty for mooring.

    Boats where refuelled and made ready for next tasking 


  • Callout 819

    Callout 819

    Tasked at 1.50 AM to a person in the water at Camlough.
    Lough Neagh Rescue had three swiftwater teams attending but shortly into the journey they where stood down.
    Crew returned to base to make ready for next tasking


  • Callout 818

    Callout 818

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 11:39 to a report of a vessel with 4 persons onboard broken down and located at Tolan’s Flat. Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located and after a lee shore rescue was towed. Afterwards crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 817

    Callout 817

    Lifeboats tasked at 01:50 by Belfast Coastguard at the request of Antrim PSNI to help search for a high risk missing person at Antrim Loughshore. 

    After an extensive search, the missing individual was found and taken for further medical assessment. 

    Lifeboats returned to base, refuelled and ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 816

    Callout 816

    Lifeboats tasked at 15.44 by Belfast Coastguard following a call from a vessel which lost drive in Toome and was drifting.

    Our lifeboats launched in force 3 westerly winds and proceeded to Toome bay where they conducted a search towards the canal. Upon approach towards the canal the casualty vessel was located, just inside the entrance.

    The lifeboat proceeded to the vessel where a crew member boarded to assess suitability for a tow. With the acceptance of the skipper a tow line was secured, and the casualty vessel was brought safely to and moored at the jetty at the lock gates.

    Lifeboats returned to base, refuelled and ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 815

    Callout 815

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 13:18 to a report of a vessel with 2 persons onboard located near the entrance to Kinnego Bay. Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located and towed into Kinnego Marina.  Afterwards crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 814

    Callout 814

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 13:59 to a report of a vessel which had struck an object and became immobilised whilst enroute from Antrim to Toome.

    Our lifeboats launched and proceeded to search this route and a short time later located the casualty vessel. The casualty vessel was at anchor just off the Three Islands on the north shore.

    Having assessed those onboard for any injuries, confirmed everyone was ok and that the vessel was safe to tow, the crew rigged a towline and commenced towing the casualty vessel back to Antrim marina where it was moored safely alongside the jetty.

    Our lifeboats then stood down and returned to their stations where they were prepared for the next tasking.

    Afterwards crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking


  • Callout 813

    Callout 813

    Lifeboats tasked at 17:21 at the request of the PSNI to reports of an individual threatening to enter the water on the Sixmile river. As crews arrived at the station we received confirmation that the individual had been taken to an area of safety.

    Crews stood down, ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 812

    Callout 812

    Lifeboats paged at 14:07 by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a 5 metre Speed boat which had broken down in the Antrim bay.

    Lifeboats launched and located the casualty vessel 2 miles south of Antrim. 

    Once located, the vessel was checked for any damage and a tow line was connected. The vessel was towed to Antrim Marina.

    Lifeboats returned to base, washed, refuelled and ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 811

    Callout 811

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 5:15 pm to a report of a broken down vessel near Ardmore Point.

    Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located. 

    Lifeboats secured a tow-line to the casualty vessel & commenced a long tow.

    Crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 810

    Callout 810

    Lifeboats paged at 15:32 by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a speed boat with 2 persons on board which had suffered engine trouble 2 miles south of the Torpedo platform in Antrim Bay. 

    Once on scene, a tow was connect and the speed boat was towed to Antrim Marina and placed alongside a jetty.

    Crews returned to base, washed, refuelled and ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 809

    Callout 809

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:11 am to a report of a broken down motorboat south east of Rams Island drifting towards Sandy Bay.

    Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located. 

    LNR secured a tow-line to the casualty vessel & commenced a long tow.

    Afterwards crews returned to their stations & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 808

    Callout 808

    Lifeboats tasked at 17:36 by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a vehicle which had entered the Sixmile water at Antrim Marina.

    Once on scene it was established all concerned where accounted for with 1 individual having been assisted from the water by a passing Jetski and an individual on a water pedal bike. 

    Crew helped provide medical assistance to another casualty along with our Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service until crews from NIAS arrived and took over.

    Also on scene was Antrim PSNI and our colleagues from Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue team. 

    Crews then anchored the car in the water to stop it from moving any further and which was later recovered and taken away. 

    Special thanks to the quick thinking of the jet skier, the individual on the water pedal bike and those members of the general public who helped at the scene. A great team effort from all involved. 

    Crews returned to base and made ready all assets to be on standby for future call-outs.

    For emergencies of Lough Neagh and it’s tributary river dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 


  • Callout 806 & 807

    Callout 806 & 807

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 12:40 pm to a report of a yacht aground on Croghan Flat with 1 person on board.

    Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located. 

    LNR lifeboats secured a tow-line to the casualty vessel & Kinnego Lifeboat commenced a long tow to Kinnego.

    Whilst the tow was underway Ardboe Lifeboat was tasked to a 2nd callout of the day at Sandy Bay. More details to follow.

    Afterwards the lifeboats returned to station & crews prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking.


  • Callout 805

    Callout 805

    Lifeboats tasked at 10.54 to reports of two young girls stranded on Coney Island.

    Lifeboats quickly arrived on scene and worked out that a party of 3 had attempted to make their way to Maghery slip on kayaks, but due to rapidly deteriorating conditions, they were blown off course.

    The advance party made the good decision not to try and paddle back to the island to pick up the girls and instead dialled 999 and asked Coast Guard for assistance.

    Lough Neagh Coast Guard team quickly accounted for the party of 3 while the lifeboats collected the two girls on Coney Island and safely brought them into Maghery slip where the girls were a little shaken but made feel much better by the warm embrace of their parents.

    Lifeboats returned to station for refuelling and readied for their next tasking.

    If you see someone in distress, in, on or around the water, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.


  • Callout 804

    Callout 804

    Crews were tasked at 13:43 to initial reports of 2 persons in the water being blown off shore on paddle boards west of the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. Crews quickly launched and made their way to the scene where a passing boat had come to the assistance of 3 casualties. The casualties were exhibiting signs of early hypothermia so our crews administered casualty care before handing the 3 persons over to NIAS and Lough Neagh Coastguard team.

    The water temperature on the Lough is still only around 10 degrees, which will very quickly lower your core temperature to dangerous levels if submerged.

    Thankfully on this occasion a passer-by spotted the stricken persons and raised the alarm.

    Please remember, before taking to the water

    1. Always wear the correct attire for entering the water (even if you don’t intend to enter the water)

    2. Always wear a buoyancy aid

    3. Always let someone know where you are going & when you will be back

    4 Always have a means of calling for help. A mobile phone in a waterproof case or a VHF radio on ch16

    If you spot someone in distress on the water dial 999 and ask for Coastguard


  • Callout 803

    Callout 803

    Our crews from Antrim, Ardboe & Kinnego were tasked at 18:14 to an incident on the River Blackwater. 

    Along with Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue Team and Police Service of Northern Ireland, our crews quickly conducted a search of the river where we quickly located and recovered the body of a male.

    We would like to thank our crews who, with great dignity and professionalism, were able to return this soul to his loved-ones and help bring closure for the grieving family.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the gentleman’s family at this difficult time. 

    RIP


  • Lough Erne Search

    Lough Erne Search

    Over the last two weekends Lough Neagh Rescue Crews and our statutory agency partners have been involved in the search for a missing person on Lough Erne.

    Earlier today the body of the missing person was located and recovered in a multi agency effort.

    Lough Neagh Rescue wishes to place on record  our deepest sympathies to the family of the individual involved and may he Rest in Peace.


  • Callout 802

    Callout 802

    Lifeboats tasked at 13:03 to reports of a sailing boat which lost engine power whilst returning to Kinnegow with 2 persons on board. Lifeboats located them just north of 6ft flat, The vessel was towed back to Kinnego.

    Lifeboats back in base, washed, and refuelled ready for our next tasking.


  • Callout 801

    Callout 801

    Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 10:25 am to a report of a broken down motorboat 1nm west of Rams Island with 1 person on board.

    Crews quickly responded & the casualty was swiftly located. 

    LNR secured a tow-line to the casualty vessel & commenced a long tow to the casualties home berth at Kinnego.

    Whilst at the inner bay, crews moved the vessel to an along-side tow before the casualty was returned to his berth.

    Crews returned to station & prepared the lifeboats for their next tasking


  • Callout 800

    Callout 800

    Lifeboats were tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:34pm and were requested to proceed to Rams Island where 3 persons become stranded with poor weather conditions and a kayak which had been damaged. 

    Upon arriving on scene our crews located the casualties and checked that they were ok and not in need of any any medical attention. 

    Following this the crew brought the 3 persons onboard the lifeboats and took them to safety in Sandy Bay Marina.  

    The lifeboats were then stood down and returned to base where they were cleaned and fuelled for the next tasking.