Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew dealt with two separate emergencies on Sunday, July 19.

At 2:59pm, the pagers sounded following a 999 call to the Coastguard about a person in the water just north of Portaferry lifeboat station on Strangford Lough in County Down. The inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, launched within minutes with helm Chris Adair and crew members Chris Hannon and Scott Blackwood. When the lifeboat arrived, the casualty had already reached the shore and was being looked after by the Portaferry Coastguard team. The lifeboat returned to the station by 3:30pm.

The second call came at 4:07pm, reporting an 8-metre pleasure craft with four people on board that had developed steering problems approximately 5.5 miles east of the entrance to Strangford Lough, in the Irish Sea. The lifeboat launched again with the same helm, Chris Adair, and crew members Chris Jenkins, Chris Hannon and Scott Blackwood. Conditions were a moderate north-easterly breeze, clear skies and good visibility, with a moderately choppy sea.

On reaching the vessel, the lifeboat crew found those on board prepared and already using their emergency tiller. The lifeboat escorted the craft as it crossed the Strangford Bar, after which the crew of the pleasure boat were content to continue their journey without further assistance.

Following the incidents, helm Chris Adair said making emergency calls early is always advisable. The crew would rather launch and find a person safely ashore than risk a call not being made in time. He noted that on the second call, it was good to see the vessel’s crew well prepared.

Adair urged anyone heading out on the water to check weather and tide times, wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device, and carry a means of calling for help. Boat owners were reminded to inspect their vessels regularly during the summer, check that VHF radios are working, and monitor channel 16 throughout their journey. If in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Eleven volunteers from the station responded to the pagers that day.