HM Coastguard tasked LNR @ 22:00 to search the Antrim bay area for a jet ski with 2 persons on board that had not returned to shore.

LNR’s lifeboats swiftly launched along with shore crews in our land based response units (Lima Romeo and Victor Whiskey).

Following an extensive search on the water the jet ski had been located close to Kettlebottom Island, however there were no occupants on board or in the surrounding area. The search continued both on land and on the water until the casualties were located safe and well.

All units then stood down.

The Antrim Bay Lifeboat brought the jet ski back to shore and all units returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard tasked LNR @ 18:09 to a cruiser run aground near Gawleys Gate.

LNR lifeboats launched and proceeded to the area where the casualty vessel was located and following an inspection a towline was connected to the vessel and it was towed safely back to shore.

Lifeboats returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard tasked LNR @ 17:35 to a 28ft fishing vessel with 2 persons on board. The vessel had lost power close to Ballyginnff and was swiftly located by our lifeboats.

Following a quick inspection a towline was connected to the casualty vessel and it was towed safely back to shore.

Lifeboats returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard tasked LNR lifeboats @ 16:55 to a 25 ft leisure craft with 2 persons on board that had run aground at the entrance to the River Bann (Foot).

Our lifeboats quickly launched and proceeded to the area.

Due to the low water and high northerly wind a lee shore rescue was implemented and executed with one crew member staying with the casualty vessel. A tow line was connected to the vessel (with the consent of the skipper) and the lifeboat was able to bring the casualty vessel into deeper water and back into the river. When the casualty vessel was in sheltered waters and it was deemed safe, tow line was disconnected and the lifeboat escorted the vessel to the jetty on the Charlestown side of the river.

The vessel was then handed into the care of our colleagues from Maritime Coastguard Agency who were waiting to assist.

Lifeboats returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard tasked LNR at 17:21 to the aid of a sailing yacht in difficulty at the mouth of the Six Mile Water River.

The Antrim Bay Lifeboat launched and proceeded to the casualty vessel which had run aground and shortly thereafter was able to free itself. After a quick assessment and receiving confirmation from the skipper on board the casulty vessel that all was ok ABLB returned to station at 17:40 ready for service.

A note to anyone boating in and around Antrim bay, the mouth of the river is very shallow at the moment.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 20:26hrs and requested the launch of the lifeboats to the aid of 2 persons on-board a speedboat with engine difficulties located outside Kinnego marina. With the vessel drifting towards rocks both the Ardboe and Kinnego lifeboats were requested to launch.

Both lifeboats launched swiftly and the Kinnego lifeboat proceeded to the casualty vessel. Upon arrival on scene the vessel had regained power and was making its way back into the marina alongside the Kinnego Harbor Master boat. Kinnego lifeboat also escorted the vessel back into the marina.

All units returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 17:41hrs and requested the launch of the lifeboat to the aid a yacht that was reported as having run aground close to Rams Island.

Whilst on route to the search area an update was received that the casualty vessel had regained propulsion and was able to make its way to the south jetty on Rams Island. The lifeboat proceeded to the island to make contact with the skipper. After consultation with the skipper and the Coastguard they were happy that further assistance was not required and the lifeboat was stood down and returned to base.

All units made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 15:34hrs and requested the launch of the Kinnego and Ardboe lifeboats to the aid of 2 persons on board a Bayliner pleasure craft which was experiencing engine difficulties and drifting in the area of Silver Hill.

Both lifeboats launched and commenced a search, whilst on route to the search area there was an update from the Coastguard that the casualty vessel had regained limited power and was making its way back towards Kinnego Marina.
All units were to continue and assist where possible.

A short time later the casualty vessel was located by the Ardboe lifeboat and the lifeboat commenced an escort back towards Kinnego marina, shortly thereafter the Kinnego lifeboat took over the escort and brought the casualty vessel safely alongside the jetty in the Marina.

All units returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

At 17:08hrs HM Coastguard tasked LNR to reports of a vessel in difficulty off Gawleys Gate. The casualty vessel was located by Ardboe Lifeboat in the Lady Bay Area. Following an inspection and consent to tow from the skipper on board the vessel the Lifeboat towed the vessel into Gawleys Gate and handed into the care of the awaiting Coastguard team.
Lifeboat returned to base and made ready for the next tasking.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 10:09hrs and requested the immediate launch of the Kinnego and Ardboe lifeboats to the aid of 2 persons on board a dredger that was taking on water in the area of Skaddy Tower.

Both lifeboats launched swiftly and proceeded to the area, whist on route it was confirmed that the vessel was no longer afloat and the casualties were in the water.
The lifeboat arrived on scene where one person had made it on-board a sand dredger that was nearby.

The sand dredger and fishermen who were also in the area proceeded to the casualty vessel following the call that they were taking on water and sinking.

With the other person still in the water (alongside the sand dredger), LNR crew boarded the dredger and along with those on board retrieved the person from the water. Both casualties were treated for cold water shock, transferred to the lifeboat and brought to Ballyronan marina where LNR shore crew were awaiting with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The casualties were brought safely to shore and handed into the care of the NIAS for treatment.

Large debris from the area was also brought to shore ensuring the area was safe for other vessels before the lifeboats were stood down and returned to base.

We would like to acknowledge and thank those on-board the nearby fishing vessel and sand dredgers who came to the aid of the casualties. Their swift actions undoubtedly reduced the risk of loss of life.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 17:05hrs and requested that the Kinnego and Ardboe lifeboats launch to the aid of a yacht that was believed to be aground in the Deerpark area. Both lifeboats launched and commenced the search, the vessel was located by the Kinnego lifeboat where the team liaised with the skipper and confirmed that all was well.
Both lifeboats stood down and returned to base.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 21:00hrs and requested that all available units respond to Kinnego Marina where a child was reported as missing. Lifeboat and shore crews responded, thankfully the child was located safe and well a short time later.
All units stood down and returned to base.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 14:51hrs and requested the Ardboe lifeboat launch to the aid of a small yacht with 3 persons on board that had obtained damage to its rudder just outside of Ballyronan marina.
The lifeboat launched and proceeded to the area and located the casualty vessel. Having obtained consent to set up a tow the vessel was towed safely into Ballyronan marina and secured to the jetty.
All units were stood down and returned to base.

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 23:00 on 28th March and requested the Kinnego and Ardboe lifeboats launch following reports of a flashing light being seen on the lough from the east shore. The first informant believed that this may have been an SOS.
Both lifeboats launched and conducted and extensive search from the Battery Harbour and Kinnego Marina to and along the Eastern Shore. With nothing seen all units were stood down and returned to base.
The first informant did the right thing when they believed someone could have been in trouble.
We at LNR would rather be called out and not needed opposed to the opposite.

Details to follow

HM Coastguard paged LNR at 12:29 and requested that a search be undertaken at the River Bann Foot for a missing person.
The lifeboat launched and proceeded to the area to commence searching. With the search yielding no results on the day HM Coastguard stood down the teams.
In the coming days and weeks further searches were undertaken by LNR and other agencies until the person was located.
The thoughts and prayers from all in LNR are with the individual’s friends and family.

At 17:28 HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a report of kayaker possibly in need of assistance in the area of Hog Park point. Ardboe and Kinnego lifeboats attended and after a search the casualty was located on shore.

At 22:06 LNR were tasked by HM Coastguard to an incident in the NW area of the Lough. Lifeboats and Shore Crew attended.

At 11:47am HM Coastguard tasked LNR to the northern shore of the Lough. Ardboe & Antrim Bay Lifeboats attended. Details to follow.

At 09:49 HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a lost 16ft Fishing Boat with 2 Persons onboard. Ardboe & Kinnego Lifeboats launched. Ardboe Lifeboat located the boat and provided assistance. Both lifeboats then returned to base.

At 23:45 on Tuesday night (just after the crew had finished their weekly training) HM Coastguard tasked LNR to various flood and swiftwater related incidents in the North West of N. Ireland.
LNR deployed teams from all three stations, this included flood first responders, swift water rescue technicians and shore crew to the area. LNR worked with NIFRS, NIAS & HART personnel throughout the night and early morning until the teams were stood down.
The crew and members of LNR would like to thank all those involved in the SAR operations through the night and we would like to say a special thanks to the NIFRS team in Newtownstewart for the hospitality shown to us when the teams were stood down. This was greatly appreciated by all in attendance. LNR teams were back in base 07:00hrs
Our thoughts are with all those effected by the flash flooding.

Following a 999 call HM Coastguard tasked LNR at 17:15 to search for a vessel with 2 adults and 2 children on board which had hit rocks and was now aground North of Ballyronan Marina. All onboard were wearing lifejackets.
The Ardboe lifeboat launched and proceeded to the area. Upon arrival, a short search commenced and the casualty vessel was located in Rushy Bay. The Lifeboat proceeded with caution to the casualty vessel and when alongside transferred the 2 adults and 2 children onboard the lifeboat.
With the consent of the skipper a tow line was connected to the casualty vessel and the lifeboat proceeded to tow it into Ballyronan marina. The vessel was safely moored to the jetty and the persons on board the lifeboat handed into the care of the awaiting Coastguard team on shore.
The Ardboe lifeboat then returned to base.

HM coastguard had been made aware that a LNR crew had been training on Strangford Lough, just as the crew were about to proceed home HM Coastguard tasked them to assist in the search for a missing person.
The crew launched flood boat 1 and proceeded to search the southern side of Strangford lough. The crew completed an extensive search and were then stood down after the casualty had been located elsewhere.
The crew then returned to base.

At 13:40 HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a lone kayaker who had been thrown off his sit on kayak in Antrim Bay. The casualty tried to get back on however became exhausted. A member of the public had contacted the Coastguard.
Antrim Bay Lifeboat launched and quickly arrived on scene and retrieved both the casualty and kayak. The Casualty was shaken but ok. Safety advice was given and the Antrim Bay Lifeboat was stood down and returned to base.

At 13:12 HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a vessel in Kinnego bay which had engine difficulty, Kinnego Lifeboat launched and brought the vessel safely to shore.
Kinnego Lifeboat returned to base.

Saturday 22nd July 2017 22:13hrs
At 22:13 HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a white boat with 2 persons on board believed to be in the area of Battery Harbour, the casualty vessel was experiencing engine trouble and was drifting.
The Ardboe lifeboat launched and located the casualty vessel, made contact and with the skippers consent attached a tow line and commenced to tow the casualty into the battery harbour.
The casualty vessel was safely moored to the jetty with the assistance of the Ardboe Rescue Shore crew, the Ardboe lifeboat returned to base.

Following a telephone call from a casualty vessel to one of the LNR crew at 15:45, LNR contacted HM Coastguard to seek approval to launch to the assistance of a vessel with 3 persons on board south of RAMS Island. All persons on board were wearing lifejackets and were in no immediate danger.
Approval was obtained and the Kinnego lifeboat launched to the casualty, attached a tow line with the consent of the skipper and towed the vessel safely to Bartons bay.
Kinnego lifeboat stood down and returned to base.

In the early hours of this morning at 01:10hrs HM Coastguard received a 999 call from person on-board a yacht which had 2 persons on-board whom have become disorientated and not sure of their current position in the darkness.
The Ardboe & Kinnego Lifeboats launched and commenced an extensive search. HM Coastguard also requested the assistance of Rescue 116 (Irish Coastguard SAR helicopter).
Whilst on a running line between Oxford Island and Ballyronan (searching northwards) the Ardboe lifeboat located the casualty vessel, made contact, came alongside and one crew member boarded to assist the skipper in dropping the sails. The Kinnego lifeboat proceeded from its search area on the eastern shore to the location of the casualty vessel. Whilst alongside a tow line was attached to the vessel (with the consent of the skipper) and the Kinnego lifeboat commenced a tow to Kinnego marina with one crew member on-board the casualty vessel.
Both Rescue 116 and the Ardboe lifeboat stood down and the lifeboat returned to base.
The casualty vessel was brought safely alongside the jetty in Kinnego Marina by the Kinnego lifeboat and the casualties were handed into the care of the awaiting Coastguard team.
Kinnego lifeboat returned to base. All units restaged and ready for service

At 20:43hrs HM Coastguard tasked LNR to reports of persons entering the water in search of a few canines in the Antrim Bay area.
The Antrim Bay lifeboat, Ardboe lifeboat and land mobile unit Lima Romeo (with shore crew) responded. The Antrim Bay lifeboat located the casualty whom was taken safely to shore by the shore crew, the Ardboe lifeboat also arrived on scene with all units being stood down shortly thereafter. The casualty and the canines were safe and well.

At 19:34hrs HM Coastguard tasked LNR to a white boat with 4 persons on board believed to be in the area of Maghery, the casualty vessel was experiencing engine trouble and was drifting.
The Ardboe and Kinnego lifeboats launched and proceeded to the area where the casualty vessel was located west of Colmkille Point and was aground. A lee shore rescue was initiated, two crew entered the water and proceeded to the casualty vessel, the crew inspected the vessel for damage and as it was deemed safe to tow, a towline was connected with the consent of the skipper.
Before commencing the tow, the 4No. casualties were transferred onto the Ardboe lifeboat with 2 No. lifeboat crew remaining on the casualty vessel.
The vessel was towed into Magery where the casualties were handed into the care of the awaiting coastguard team. And the vessel was safely moored to the jetty. Lifeboats returned to base.