Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 10:20 following reports of a broken-down vessel just off Bannfoot with two persons on board.
The casualty vessel was assessed and safely towed to Maghery, where they were handed over to Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue Team.
All persons on board confirmed that they required no further assistance.


Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 18:26 to reports of a broken-down jet ski in the Maghery area with two people on board.
On arrival, our crew quickly located the jet ski at the mouth of the River Blackwater. It had picked up weeds around the impeller, preventing it from operating properly.
The two occupants were found safe and well. They were both wearing lifejackets and had a mobile phone with them, allowing them to raise the alarm quickly.
Both casualties were transferred onto the lifeboat while the jet ski was taken under tow alongside and safely returned to shore.
A reminder to anyone heading onto the water: always wear a suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid, carry a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, and let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 14:33 to a broken down vessel at Sandy Bay.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:25. Details to follow.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 21:00 following reports of a broken-down jet ski approximately 500 metres from shore at Gawley’s Gate.
Two persons were on board and, thankfully, both were wearing lifejackets and were not in any immediate danger.
Our volunteer crew responded promptly and transferred both casualties safely onto our lifeboat. A crew member was then placed onto the jet ski, which was towed safely back to shore.

As crews were wrapping up a joint training exercise involving all three stations, returning lifeboats to station and carrying out refuelling and safety checks, Lifeboats were tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 21:53 to assist a speedboat in difficulty near Tolans point as conditions deteriorated and light faded.
Our volunteer crews responded swiftly and made their way to the reported location to ensure the safety of those involved.
Thankfully, the situation was resolved safely, with no injuries reported and all persons accounted for. The casualty vessel was then towed safely to Kinnego Marina.
Following the incident, crews returned to their stations to prepare our lifeboat assets for the next callout.
A sincere thank you to our volunteer lifeboat crews for their professionalism and dedication, responding at any hour, in any conditions, to help those in need on Lough Neagh and surrounding waterways.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard last night at 23:40 to assist a vessel that had become stranded in dense reeds on the River Blackwater.
Our crews launched and made their way through challenging night-time conditions to reach the casualty vessel. After confirming everyone on board was safe and well, the vessel was successfully freed from the reeds and towed back to the slipway at Maghery.
Thankfully, the incident concluded safely with no injuries reported.
After completing the recovery and returning all equipment to an operational state, our volunteers arrived back at station at 2:15am, ready for any further taskings that may arise.
A huge thank you to our volunteer crews for their dedication and commitment.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard this morning at 05:39 following reports of a person threatening to enter the water at Loughshore, Antrim.
Our volunteer crews responded immediately and made contact with the individual. After providing reassurance and engaging with the casualty, crews were able to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. Casualty care was provided before the individual was handed into the care of the PSNI.
We wish the individual involved all the very best and thank all responding agencies for their assistance

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:04. Details to follow.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:43 to assist a vessel that had run aground in very windy conditions on Owen Roe Island outside Kinnego Bay.
Thankfully, everyone on board was safe. The casualty vessel was successfully towed back to Kinnego Marina.
Lifeboats then returned to station and were washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 18:41 to reports of a speedboat that had suffered mechanical failure in the vicinity of Sixmilewater, Antrim.
Crew responded immediately and quickly located the vessel, which was carrying four persons. Following an assessment of the situation, a towline was established and the casualty vessel was safely towed to the jetty at Antrim Marina.
With the vessel and its occupants brought safely ashore, lifeboats returned to station. All boats were subsequently refuelled, washed down, and prepared for any further service requirements.

Lifeboats were tasked at 19:54 to a vessel with three people on board which had ran aground in strong winds near Kinnego Marina. The vessel was towed by lifeboat safely back to the marina.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 13:28 today to reports of a person in the water in the Gawleys Gate / Bartens Bay area.
Lough Neagh Rescue crews carried out a detailed search alongside Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue Team and the Irish Coastguard Search & Rescue Helicopter from Dublin.
During the search, a body was recovered from the water.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this very difficult time.
We would like to thank all agencies involved for their assistance and professionalism throughout the operation.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 18:03 following a report from a concerned member of the public of what appeared to be a capsized dinghy, approximately 500 metres from the mouth of the Six Mile River in Antrim.
Once on scene, and after speaking with the person who raised the alarm, it was confirmed that the object was in fact a weather monitoring station.
We’d like to give a sincere thank you to the member of the public who took the time to call it in. Looking out for each other and reporting anything that doesn’t seem right plays a vital role in keeping everyone safe on our Lough and waterways.
Crew returned to station and remain ready to respond whenever needed.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 11:01 this morning following reports of a person in the water after capsizing in an inflatable kayak.
Conditions at the time were challenging, with a strong westerly breeze creating difficult conditions on the water.
Lifeboats were quickly launched and made their way to the scene, where the casualty was located clinging to the side of the kayak.
Crew acted swiftly to recover the individual from the water and bring them safely ashore at Sandy Bay Marina.
Lifeboats returned to base and made ready for next tasking.

Lough Neagh Rescue tasked by Belfast Coastguard today at the request of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, our team was mobilised to assist with a time-critical medical incident in the Coagh area.
Our volunteers responded promptly, deploying local assets and trained personnel to support partner agencies on scene. Incidents like this highlight the importance of our rapid response capability, strong inter-agency cooperation, and the continued training commitment of our crew across all stations.
We are always ready to assist when requested and remain committed to supporting our emergency service partners and the communities around Lough Neagh day or night.
We would like to acknowledge the professionalism and teamwork of all agencies involved and wish the patient a full and speedy recovery.

Today our Swiftwater Rescue Team was tasked to assist with an ongoing search operation in the Dromore area, working alongside partner agencies.
Sadly, the missing person was located by Sky Watch NI drone this afternoon. Our team, together with Community Rescue Service, assisted with the recovery from the water.
This is a deeply sad outcome, and our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
We thank all agencies involved for their cooperation and professionalism throughout the operation.

Lough Neagh Rescue was tasked by the PSNI to assist in the search for a missing person in the Antrim area.
Our volunteers carried out an extensive search of the Six Mile River and Antrim Bay, utilising all available assets. Regrettably, during the course of the search operations, the missing person was located.
Our thoughts are with the individual’s family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Lough Neagh Rescue would like to thank all partner agencies Community Rescue Service, Search & Rescue Dog Association SARDA Ireland North and members of the community who supported the search efforts.

Lough Neagh Rescue has joined the search for the missing person in Cookstown, working alongside Community Rescue Service.
Our Swift Water Rescue Team (SRT) has been deployed, assisting with searches across local waterways and areas of challenging, uneven terrain.
We continue to support partner agencies as required. Our thoughts remain with the missing person’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Lough Neagh Rescue has been tasked by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to assist in an ongoing search for a missing person in the Portadown area, along the River Bann.
Our volunteers are responding and operating in coordination with Sky Watch NI, Search and Rescue Dog Association SARDA Ireland North, Community Rescue Service, Belfast Coastguard and the Coastguard helicopter based at Prestwick. Crews from all three stations are being deployed on the River Bann from dawn to dusk, carrying out coordinated search operations alongside our partner agencies.
We remain on call to assist where we can. Lough Neagh Rescue extends its sincere thoughts to the family and all those affected at this difficult time.


Update 27th December 2025:
Over the past number of weeks, Lough Neagh Rescue volunteers have been working alongside many others in the Portadown area. Crews from all three stations were regularly deployed, carrying out searches along the River Bann, the surrounding riverbanks and out towards the south shore of Lough Neagh. Our lifeboats launched from the Lough, while smaller vessels were used to cover further stretches of the river. Our teams also assisted Sky Watch NI by transporting their personnel and equipment to safe locations along the riverbank for take-off and drone operations.
Conditions were often demanding, with rising water levels, a much faster flow along the river and winds gusting up to 40mph. Our volunteers continued to give their time, energy and dedication throughout, including over the Christmas period. We are grateful to Crumlin Plant Sales Ltd for providing a state-of-the-art underwater device, which brought enhanced capability to the operation, and we sincerely thank the family for providing hot food and refreshments to our volunteer crews.
This search brought together a wide community of support. Multiple search and rescue teams worked side by side, with additional assistance from teams who travelled from outside Northern Ireland. We were also grateful for the help and information shared by local river users and members of the public, whose support and cooperation were greatly appreciated.
Sadly, on Saturday 27th December 2025, a body believed to be that of the missing person was located by an assisting search team who had travelled north to support the operation.
Our thoughts are firmly with the family, friends and everyone affected by this heartbreaking outcome. We would like to thank all volunteers, partner agencies and members of the local community who played a part in the search and offered support during what has been a very difficult time.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 15:11. Details to follow

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard this morning at 07:52 to reports of a person(s) in the water at Blackers Point, located on the southwest shore of Lough Neagh near Ardboe.

Lifeboat crews from Ardboe, Kinnego and Antrim Stations launched immediately.
The casualties were quickly located, recovered from the water and transported to Battery Harbour.

Our crews provided casualty care at the scene until the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service arrived and took over medical treatment.
Lifeboats then returned to station and were washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

At 17:54 hours, our volunteer lifeboat crews were paged by Belfast Coastguard to assist a vessel whose engine had failed near Battery Harbour, with five people on board.
Our lifeboats launched swiftly and located the casualty vessel. Although conditions on Lough Neagh were calm, the light was fading fast and the evening turned bitterly cold fast. The casualty boat was safely towed back to Kinnego Marina, where the crew helped to recover the vessel and ensured everyone was safely ashore.
While it was a long and chilly Sunday evening for our volunteer lifeboat crews, we were rewarded with an incredible sunset over the lough.
Lifeboats then returned to station and were washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 15:00 to assist a sailing boat that had grounded at the entrance to Antrim Marina.
Crews quickly attached a tow and successfully brought the vessel back into deeper water.

We’re glad to report that all boats returned safely to base and are ready for the next tasking.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:16 to assist a 22ft sailing yacht with three people onboard, stranded north of Padian Island. The vessel was hard aground on a rocky shoreline, the engine had failed, and it was being buffeted by force 4 westerly winds.

Our lifeboat launched swiftly, carefully navigating the tricky shallow waters around Padian Island in rough conditions. A tow line was secured, pulling the stricken yacht into deeper water where a long tow was established. One of our lifeboat crew members remained onboard with the passengers, ensuring their safety, while the yacht and its crew were towed safely back to the safer waters of Kinnego Marina.

But the evening didn’t stop there. While refuelling and preparing the lifeboat for possible re-tasking, our crew faced another emergency: A member of the public who was not involved in the original call-out, had fallen from the main jetty at Kinnego into deep water.
Recognising the danger and without hesitation, one of our volunteer crew members reacted instantly, pulling the individual from the water to safety. Thankfully, everyone was safe and well thanks to our crew member’s swift actions.

Callouts can be physically and mentally demanding for our crews, and we are immensely proud of our volunteers for their courage, quick thinking, and dedication, whether out on the Lough Neagh or responding in the moment onshore.
We’d like to remind everyone to be always extra vigilant and aware of their safety around water, whether walking on jetties or boating on the Lough because things can change in an instant.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:08 to assist two sailing yachts, each with 2 people on board, stranded on a lee shore north of Ballyronan Marina.
One yacht had gone aground in difficult conditions, the second unfortunately also became a casualty while attempting to help the first yacht.
Recognising the complexity and risk of a lee shore rescue in deteriorating Force 7 south-easterly winds, Lough Neagh Rescue launched a major multi-station response:
Lifeboats from Kinnego and Antrim crossed the lough in stormy conditions to locate the stricken vessels.
A rapid response vehicle and shore team from Ardboe was deployed to Ballyronan marina.
A specialist Milpro rescue boat was launched at Ballyronan Marina to support operations in the shallow, hazardous waters.
On scene the Antrim lifeboat secured a tow and safely returned the first yacht and its crew to Ballyronan Marina and ensured the safety of those on board.
The second yacht, hard aground in shallow water, required a more complex approach. Ardboe’s Milpro support vessel boat safely took two casualties from the second yacht off and handed them over to LNR shore teams.
The Milpro vessel was then used again to secure a tow line, which was then passed to Kinnego Lifeboat in deeper water, enabling the second stranded yacht to be freed and subsequently returned to the safety of Ballyronan Marina.
We extend our thanks to the members of Ballyronan Yacht Club for their assistance and to the Belfast Coastguard for their coordination.
Lifeboats then returned to station and were washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 17:06. Details to follow.

At 11:15 hrs, what began as a planned crew training session in challenging Force 3–4 south-easterly conditions quickly turned into the real thing.
During the session, our crew spotted an upturned boat near the shore in Kinnego Bay, raising immediate concern as nobody appeared to be nearby.
In consultation with Belfast Coastguard, our volunteers were tasked to investigate.
Due to the difficult location, worsening weather, and blue-green algae at the shoreline, the crew quickly returned to the station to gather a rescue sleigh and other rescue equipment before rowing safely ashore.
After a thorough search of the area and shoreline, it was thankfully confirmed that there were no casualties. The vessel, a topper sailing boat, was then appropriately secured.
The crew then resumed training before returning to the station to prepare the lifeboat and equipment for the next tasking.
This incident is an important reminder: in stormy conditions, vessels can easily become unmoored.
We ask all local boaters and sailors to double-check that their craft are safely secured, not only to protect property but also to reduce unnecessary risks to our crews, who may need to respond to situations like this in hazardous conditions, including wading through harmful blue-green algae.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 16:30 to assist a vessel that had lost engine power west of Rams Island. In Force 3 south-easterly conditions, our lifeboats quickly launched and made their way to the scene.
Once it was confirmed that everyone on board was safe, our crews secured a tow line and brought the casualty vessel safely back to Kinnego Marina. We want to thank the Lough Neagh Coastguard Rescue Team for providing shore cover and for their assistance on arrival at Kinnego Marina.
This serves as a timely reminder that, regardless of your boating experience on Lough Neagh, unexpected issues can arise on the water from time to time and it is essential to remain vigilant and prepared at all times.

Lifeboats tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 20:11 to assist a vessel that had lost power outside Antrim Marina.
Our lifeboats were launched and quickly located the casualty vessel. A tow was commenced, and the boat was brought safely alongside at Antrim Marina.
Once the casualty was secured, our lifeboats were refuelled and ready for the next tasking.