Despite the increased rescue cover Lough Neagh was soon to be the scene of another drowning tragedy. On a balmy summer evening in 1994 Gary Breen a young man who lived near the Lough shore, died as he attempted to swim ashore from his boat which had earlier broken down. His father Dessie Breen and a number of family friends grouped together and managed to raise the capital to provide a third vessel for Lough Neagh Rescue. This boat was to bear the name Gary Breen and was to fulfil a vital support role for the lifeboat service.

Lough Neagh Rescue is a Limited Company and a registered Charity, it is managed by a Board of Directors who regularly meet to discuss and plan the future of the service. The Board is elected annually and is made up of equal numbers of representatives from both stations. We are part funded by the local councils that border the Lough. The Kinnego boat is entirely funded by Craigavon Borough Council whilst the remaining councils, who make yearly discretionary grants to us, help fund the Ardboe boat. Considerable help has also been provided by Rivers Agency and the Loughshores Area Based Strategy throught their grant-aiding of the lifeboats and lifeboat stations. The rest of our income is from private donations and is a very necessary part of our financing package. Lough Neagh Rescue is mindful that if it were not for the generosity of the aforementioned then we would find it impossible to continue.

At present we are heavily committed to consolidating our infrastructure and are currently finalising our new lifeboat building in Ardboe. Recently a new lifeboat was also purchased and with these capital projects we see our financial commitment to safety on Lough Neagh reach £ 500,000

Since our formation in 1989 Lough Neagh Rescue has been called out 485 times and has rescued 83 people from imminent danger, 266 persons have been assisted of the water. We are regarded as equals among the other Emergency services within N, Ireland and regularly train and liase with them to share experiences and knowledge.