Callouts from Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat

Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat’s 1st call of the year to rescue divers - 1st January 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch at 3.45pm on new year’s day by Bangor coastguard to search for divers missing off the Copeland Islands.

Four divers were diving off Mew Island when two of them failed to return to their dive boat. Knowing that they were out of air their colleagues alerted the emergency services. On arriving on the scene in fading light and heavy squally showers the lifeboat began to search along the north side of the island where they were joined by Bangor inshore lifeboat.

After a short search Donaghadee lifeboat found the men and were able to pull them from the water. Fortunately they did nor require medical help and were returned to the lifeboat station at 4.35 pm where they enjoyed a warming drink.

Coxswain Philip McNamara said he was delighted to have found the men so quickly as the weather conditions were very poor and with failing light they were in considerable danger.

Lifeboat goes to the aid of jet ski off Millisle - 16th October 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch at 12.45pm on Sunday by Belfast coastguard to go to the aid of a jet ski broken down off Millisle.

A member of the general public had alerted the coastguard that a jet ski had broken down 200metres off the lagoon in Millisle. On arriving on the scene the lifeboat found the jet ski broken down with electrical failure. Coxswain Philip McNamara launched the lifeboats xp boat with two crew members on board who very quickly were able to attach a line to the jet ski before towing it and it’s rider safely to shore.

Lifeboat and Helicopter rescue yachtsman from rocks. 10th September 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch on Saturday evening by Belfast coastguard to go to the aid of a yacht on rocks off  Ballywalter.

The lifeboat left harbour at 5.55pm in stormy conditions and while making there way to the casualty were informed by the coastguard that  a Rescue Helicopter 116 which had been on exercise in the Mournes was  also on the way.

On arriving on the scene the lifeboat found the one casualty being airlifted from the 23 ft yacht by the helicopter before being returned safely to the Harbourside.

The lifeboat returned to Donaghadee shortly after 7 pm.

RNLI Donaghadee and Bangor Lifeboats launch to rescue five people aboard two leisure fishing boats - 18th August 2011

RNLI Donaghadee and Bangor Lifeboats launched at 9.55 pm on Thursday 18th August to rescue five people aboard two leisure fishing boats. Both vessels had experienced catastrophic engine failure close to the Salt Jetty which is on northern shores of Belfast Lough.

Belfast Coastguard received the initial 999 telephone call for help from crew onboard a third leisure fishing vessel which was in the area.  Reports indicate that a 33ft leisure fishing boat and a 35ft leisure fishing boat had both experienced engine failure and were adrift close to Belfast shipping routes.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, volunteer crews had launched Donaghadee and Bangor Lifeboats and were proceeding at full speed towards the disabled vessels.

The two stricken boats were located 1 mile south of the Salt Jetty.

Relative calm on scene weather conditions allowed crew from RNLI Bangor Lifeboat to rig a tow line with the smaller of the two boats; she was then taken under tow to the safety of Carrickfergus Harbour.

Thankfully crew onboard the larger vessel were able to make engine repairs while RNLI Donaghadee Lifeboat stood close by.   The vessel was then escorted to the safety of Carrickfergus Harbour.

RNLI volunteer station officer Kevin Baird used these rescues to highlight a RNLI safety message when he said.  We always urge everyone going afloat to make sure their engine and fuel systems and are well maintained and in good working order. Engine failure close to shore and commercial shipping routes could lead to a life threatening situation’.  He added ‘We're happy that everyone onboard both vessels are now safely ashore’.

Lifeboat goes to the aid of five people in dingy - 15th August 2011

Belfast coastguard last Saturday at 7.30pm requested Donaghadee lifeboat to launch and go to the aid of five people in a dingy with engine trouble.

The dingy was off Copeland Sound when it developed engine problems.On arriving on the scene the lifeboat found the occupants had been successful in restarting their engine and were able to return safely to harbour. The lifeboat returned to harbour shortly after 8pm.

Lifeboat launched in plane alert - 11th August 2011

A full scale alert was set off at George Best City Airport on Tuesday evening when a Flybe flight from East Midlands developed a technical fault while in the air.

Belfast coastguard requested Donaghadee lifeboat to launch at 6.55pm to assist in the alert. The fire and ambulances services were also put on standby, however the plane landed safely shortly after 7pm with no one hurt. The lifeboat returned to harbour at 7.25pm. This was the third callout in the last two weeks.

Donaghadee lifeboat tows cabin cruiser with three people on board into Groomsport - 1st August 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch at 9.15 pm on Monday by Belfast coastguard to go to the aid of three people on a cabin cruiser.

The vessel had suffered engine failure and was drifting in darkness off  Orlock Point at Groomsport. On arriving on the scene the lifeboat was  able to  put a tow across to the cruiser  before taking it safely into Groomsport harbour

Lifeboat makes mercy dash to Cruise liner casualty - 24th July 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat went to the aid of an 82 year old male cruise line passenger suffering from severe chest pains.

Bangor coastguard alerted Donaghadee lifeboat station at 8am this morning (Sunday) that a passenger aboard the cruise ship “Minerva” which was off Portavogie was suffering from severe chest pains and would have to be evacuated. An operation was quickly put into place for the lifeboat to rendezvous with the “ Minerva” in Belfast Lough.

At 9.35am the lifeboat left harbour and successfully met with the liner where volunteer Dr Robert Neill went on board to assess the casualty. After being given first aid the casualty was transferred on board the lifeboat before being taken to Bangor Marina to a waiting ambulance, from where he was taken directly to the Ulster hospital.

Lifeboat Coxswain Philip McNamara said that the operation had gone smoothly with all the emergency services playing their part and he was pleased the casualty was safely ashore. The lifeboat returned to harbour shortly after 11.35am.

Lifeboat rescues two people from boat on rocks - 14th July 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard today Thursday to go to the aid of two people in a cabin cruiser on rocks off Millisle.

The lifeboat was launched at 2.10pm to go to the aid of the 15ft cabin cruiser which had broken down with engine problems and had drifted on to the Long Rock off Millisle.

On arriving on the scene Deputy 2nd Coxswain John Ashwood decided because of the shallow waters around the rocks to launch the lifeboat’s xp boat with two crew members on board. They were able to fix a tow line to the cruiser and tow it off the rocks before taking it and the two people on board safely into Ballywalter harbour.

RNLI Deputy 2nd Coxswain John Ashwood who was in charge of the rescue said,” we urge everyone going to sea to make sure that their boat engine is properly maintained, they wear a lifejacket and have some means of calling for help.” The lifeboat returned to Donaghadee harbour shortly after 4pm.

Capsized Kayak Rescue - 3rd June 2011

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch on Saturday 3rd of June at 22.10pm by Bangor coastguard to go to the aid of a man in a capsized kayak  2 mile east of Donaghadee.The casualty was brought back to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital and after  treatment  was  allowed to go home.

Donaghadee and Bangor lifeboats in joint rescue exercise with Royal Navy helicopter - 15th May 2011

Last Saturday saw Donaghadee and Bangor lifeboats in a joint exercise with a Royal navy rescue helicopter from Prestwick in Scotland.
The helicopter landed at Donaghadee just after 12am for a briefing with the crews of both lifeboats and the coastguard before commencing the exercise.

The simulated rescues involved crew members and stretcher cases being airlifted from the deck of the lifeboat. John Ashwood 2nd Coxswain of Donaghadee lifeboat  said the exercise had been a great success with the squally and heavy rain storms creating ideal training conditions. He took the opportunity of thanking all the rescue services for their contribution.

Picture Courtesy of Arthur Arbuckle

Donaghadee lifeboat goes to aid of injured woman - 1st May 2011

Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch at 06.55 by Belfast coastguard to go to the aid of an injured woman on board a 57ft motor vessel 3 miles off Ballywalter.

The vessel was on route to Dublin when it was hit by heavy seas which smashed away the portside rails and stanchions. A female passenger was thrown across the cabin and received lacerations to her head.

On arriving on the scene in a moderate to rough sea with an easterly wind 4/5 lifeboat Coxswain Phillip McNamara transferred two crew members of the lifeboat across to the vessel to deal with the casualty. They were able to  administer first aid  and make her comfortable.

During the incident the vessel had lost its starboard engine as a result of a rope twisted around the propeller. This made the journey back to Donaghadee and docking in the harbour difficult but with the assistance of the lifeboat this was achieved at 10.25am An ambulance was on standby to take the casualty to hospital.

26th March

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch by Belfast coastguard at 19.45pm to search for a reported person in the water off Donaghadee.The person was later found safe and well ashore.Lifeboat returned to harbour at 8.30pm.

19th March

Belfast coastguard requested Donaghadee lifeboat to launch at 5.10pm to go to aid of a fishing vessel.The vessel with one  person on board had broken down with engine failure and was drifting 4.5 miles north of South rock.On arriving on the scene in moderate weather the lifeboat took the vessel safely under tow to Portavogie harbour.Lifeboat returned to Donaghadee harbour shortly after 7pm.

17/11/10 Donaghadee lifeboat crew go to the aid of drifting fishing boat

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch this morning in atrocious weather conditions to go to the aid of a fishing vessel which had broken free from it’s moorings in Donaghadee harbour.
The twelve metre unmanned fishing vessel was drifting in gale conditions and in danger of being driven on to the harbour wall and sinking.
Lifeboat coxswain Philip McNamara made the decision not to launch the lifeboat as there was no danger to life.
The fishing vessel was eventually blown over on to the north wall at which time coxswain Philip McNamara made the decision to take the lifeboat’s shore boat with three crew members and the owner of the fishing vessel on board across to the stricken vessel.
With huge waves crashing over the harbour wall the crew made their way to the vessel where two crew members with great difficulty were able to scramble aboard. The other crew members then made their way in the shore boat to the wall steps where they were able to get ashore and assist their colleagues in eventually securing the vessel.
The crew then returned safely back across a wild harbour with the grateful owner’s thanks for saving his vessel.
The incident lasted over two hours with many spectators on the shore taking the opportunity to get some great photographs of the lifeboat crew in action.

Pictures are courtesy of Adam Osborne

05/09/10 Lifeboat goes to the Aid of Yacht on Rocks

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested by Belfast coastguard to go to the aid of a yacht aground on rocks off Ballywalter last Sunday morning.
The lifeboat was launched at 10.20am to go to the aid of the 22ft yacht with three people on board, aground on Long Rock, north of Ballywalter.
On arriving on the scene the lifeboat found difficult weather conditions with the wind force 5 to 6 and breaking surf. Two people had already been taken off the grounded yacht by a local fishing boat. The lifeboat launched its xp boat to go to the aid of the remaining casualty. The xp boat with two crew aboard was towed into a position west of the rocks where it made its way in through narrow gullies to a position twenty yards from the yacht.
A crew member then made his way to the yacht and assisted the  casualty into the xp boat and then with the help of a punt which had been standing by, returned the casualty safely back to Ballywalter harbour, the lifeboat returning to Donaghadee shortly after midday.

23/08/10 Lifeboat called to stranded fishing boat

Belfast coastguards requested Donaghadee Lifeboat to launch at 11am on Monday 23rd to go the aid of a fishing boat stranded two miles south of Donaghadee. The boat, with one person on board, had a rope tangled around its propeller and was in need of assistance. Within a short time the lifeboat crew managed, with the aid of a grappling iron, to release the obstruction and the boat was able to continue on its way.

10/08/10 - Lifeboat goes to the aid of Yacht

Donaghadee lifeboat was requested to launch by the coastguard just after 8pm on Tuesday to go to the aid of a yacht. The 25 foot yacht with two people on board had broken down with engine and electrical problems.
The yacht was located 7 miles south of Donaghadee by the lifeboat and successfully towed with all on board safely back to harbour.

08/08/10 - Donaghadee lifeboat rescues six

Donaghdaee lifeboat was requested to launch on Sunday evening at 8.05 pm to go to the aid of two vessels in difficulties.
The coastguard received a call from a mobile phone that a speedboat had broken down on its way back from Portpatrick to Ballywalter.
The lifeboat left harbour with the light failing and difficult weather conditions , contact was made with the casualties and the lifeboat was along side the speedboat at 8.48pm.
The speedboat was receiving help from another vessel which itself began to suffer engine difficulties. Because of the sea conditions and that one of the party had received head injuries with  others feeling the effects of the weather it was decided by the lifeboat crew to transfer the six people to the lifeboat.
The two vessels were then taken under tow, at one stage the speedboat actually sinking but fortunately righting  itself, all arrived back in Donaghadee harbour shortly after 10.30pm.The  lifeboat volunteer doctor was standing by to give medical assistance to the injured man.
Donaghadee coxswain Philip McNamara said it had been a difficult rescue and advised if people found themselves in difficulties at sea they should seek help from the coastguard before darkness and weather conditions put lives at risk.

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