DONAGHADEE and Bangor lifeboats were both launched yesterday morning (May 19) in a bid to solve a mystery at sea.
RNLI volunteers conducted a thorough search of Belfast Lough and the North Channel, south west of the Copeland Islands, when a cross channel ferry reported a possible missing passenger after docking.
The RNLI received a launch request from the Coastguard at 08:40am after the overnight Stena Mersey ferry from Birkenhead arrived in Belfast. It was believed a man from England was unaccounted for as passengers came ashore.
Donaghadee’s All-Weather lifeboat searched the ferry’s route beyond the Copeland Islands off the County Down coast, while Bangor’s inshore lifeboat crew searched inner Belfast Lough in conditions which included severe squalls. Both lifeboats were stood down at 11.38am after finding nothing unusual.
Belfast Harbour Police said: “Details have been passed to police in Merseyside who are continuing the investigation together with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”