The busiest lifeboat station in Ireland last year was Enniskillen, where the crews on Lough Erne launched 64 times and rescued 82 people last year. The next busiest stations in Northern Ireland were Bangor and Portrush which launched 36 times each and brought 82 people to safety. Launch and rescue figures for the nine Northern Ireland RNLI lifeboat stations are listed below.

This year is also a big year for the charity in Northern Ireland with RNLI lifeguards being introduced on seven beaches along the Antrim coast this Summer. These will be the first RNLI lifeguards in Northern Ireland and they will work in conjunction with the existing lifeboat crews during the busy Summer months.

The overall figure for launches and rescues of RNLI lifeboats in Ireland was 1,002 callouts with 1,094 people brought to safety. In a breakdown of the causes of services for the RNLI in Northern Ireland last year, 37 were callouts to persons in the sea,  116 to power pleasure craft and 11 launches to fishing vessels in trouble.

RNLI Divisional Inspector for Ireland Martyn Smith said:

‘It’s been another busy year for Northern Ireland’s lifeboats and rescue water craft.  Every one of the rescues carried out by the RNLI in 2010 was only made possible due to the incredible generosity of the public, even in these difficult times. We are delighted that this Summer the RNLI will be present on Northern Ireland’s beaches. Saving lives on the water has always involved a coordinated approach.

‘We are absolutely determined to make the best possible use of the funds that the public entrust to us – and we regularly re-examine everything we do. This ensures that we give the best possible support to our volunteers who may face the worst the sea can throw at them. These new figures show just how much time our crews sacrifice to help those in trouble at sea – but in addition, they spend even more time training, which is a further measure of their dedication and commitment.’

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity that is independent of Government and reliant on donations, is urging the public to respond to its own call for help by supporting RNLI SOS Day this year on Friday, 28 January.  To find out more log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999.

Belfast Coastguard requested RNLI Bangor Lifeboat to launch.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, Bangor volunteer crew had assembled and had launched the RNLI’s fast response Atlantic 85 type lifeboat the ‘Jessie Hillyard ‘.

With a top speed of 35 knots RNLI Bangor Lifeboat quickly arrived on scene.

The Fishery Protection vessel also received the rescue alert and was by minutes the first vessel on the scene. With the Fishery Protection vessel providing a weather lee, crew from Bangor Lifeboat quickly plucked the exhausted canoeist from the water. The second canoeist was then brought aboard Bangor Lifeboat along with both canoes.

RNLI Donaghadee Lifeboat who also launched to this rescue stood close by to offer additional medical support if required.

RNLI Bangor Lifeboat accompanied by RNLI Donaghadee Lifeboat returned to Donaghadee Harbour and both canoeists were landed safely ashore.

Ewan Scott, helmsman onboard RNLI Bangor Lifeboat praised the actions of both volunteer crews. He said,

‘The dedication and commitment of both Bangor and Donaghadee volunteer crews is evident in the professional manner in which they undertook this rescue’ He added ‘We’re happy that both canoeists are now safely ashore.’

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, volunteer crew had launched RNLI Bangor Lifeboat and quickly located the crab fishing boat close to shore near Ballymacormick Point which is 1 ½ nautical miles north east of Bangor Harbour.

Calm weather conditions had allowed the skipper of the fishing vessel to make emergency repairs to the gearbox.

RNLI Bangor Lifeboat escorted the fishing vessel to the safety of Bangor Harbour and assisted the skipper with docking manoeuvres.

This is the first rescue call for RNLI Bangor Lifeboat in 2011.

Volunteer helmsman Peter Scott used this opportunity to highlight the RNLI’s free sea safety check which is offered to all boat owners when he said,

‘The RNLI is a charity dedicated to saving life at sea, with hopefully good weather on the horizon and the boating season fast approaching it would be an ideal time for boat owners or skippers to think about a sea safety check. This free check offers excellent sea safety advice along with practical advice on what to do in an emergency. You can book your free sea safety check by contacting the RNLI Sea Safety Officer Peter Bullick on 07802 537371, he would be delighted to hear from you.’

Semichem Regional Business Manager, David Thompson, and local store staff recently visited the Bangor RNLI lifeboat station to see exactly how the funds they raise will be used.

Semichem, which has 26 stores and over 380 staff in Northern Ireland, plans to raise £11,000 over the coming year. Some of this will go towards crew training in Bangor next year. The remainder of the funds raised will go toward the life jacket maintenance programme for lifeboat volunteer crew in Bangor and Portrush.

David Thompson Semichem Regional Business Manager said, “Semichem is delighted to be supporting the RNLI as its charity partner for the year. The RNLI volunteers are our unsung heroes, risking their lives to save others at sea and are well deserving of our support.

“We have set a target of £11,000 and I’m sure with the enthusiasm and efforts of our staff, customers and suppliers we can reach, and even exceed, that target. In previous years Semichem employees have proved to be enthusiastic and successful fundraisers and I know they will rise to the challenge again this time.”

Kevin Byers Lifeboat Operations Manager for Bangor RNLI added,

“We are very grateful to Semichem for selecting the RNLI as their charity of the year. We operate our lifeboats all year round and in all types of weather, therefore it is vital that we provide our volunteer lifeboat crew with the best in training and equipment. It is good to know that the funds raised through this partnership will be used to save lives at sea.”

Semichem staff will be organising a range of activities from beach parties to sponsored walks and cycles to help reach their target.

Ewan Scott and Tommy Burns have been awarded Long Service medals at recent RNLI ceremonies. During their 20 years of dedicated service, RNLI Bangor Lifeboat has undertaken a total of 845 rescues at sea resulting in the saving of 98 lives.

Both Ewan and Tommy are of one mind and agree that over the years there have been many improvements to the lifeboats, the equipment and training all of which has greatly enhanced the RNLI’s ability to save life at sea.

Even after over 20 years of service Ewan and Tommy continue to freely give of their time and effort.  They are considered by all to be the most experienced helmsmen at Bangor station and are actively involved in the training of crew and other volunteers.

Bangor’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Byers paid tribute to Ewan and Tommy when he said,

‘Without the huge commitment and dedication of volunteers like Ewan and Tommy, the RNLI would be unable to carry out the increasingly demanding task of saving lives at sea.’ Kevin went on to say ‘I am delighted that Ewan and Tommy have been presented with these awards, they deserve a big thank you for all they have done for Bangor Lifeboat over the past 20 years.’

Volunteer lifeboat crew with Bangor RNLI raised £34027.48 to fund the lifeboat as a tribute to the young couple. The lifeboat was named by Mrs Mary Connolly and Mrs Eileen Savage, the mothers of Sonya and Bradley, while Sonya’s sister Judy Connolly and Bangor lifeboats Senior Helmsman Kyle Marshall delivered the lifeboat into the care of Fenit RNLI.  Fourteen members of Bangor lifeboat crew attended the ceremony along with members of the couple’s family and lifeboat volunteers from around the coast.

Speaking during the ceremony Judy Connolly said,

“Whilst we will never forget Bradley and my sister Sonya it is some comfort to know their legacy lives on, doing what they did so well – working to save lives at sea. We are delighted that this modern new lifeboat will make a real difference to the search and rescue capability in the Kerry area. Tragedy is never far from the sea and I do hope that it will be the instrument to save many lives.”

Lifeboat Operations Manager with Fenit RNLI Gerard O’Donnell added,

“We are extremely grateful to the crew at Bangor lifeboat station for their generosity in funding the new lifeboat. On behalf of the lifeboat crew in Fenit I offer our sincere thanks. This improved lifeboat will allow our volunteer crews to respond more quickly in emergencies and may well make the difference between life and death for someone in trouble in the water. “

Kyle Marshall, Senior Helmsman on Bangor lifeboat commented,

“It is a truly fitting honour and legacy to the memory of our dear friends Bradley and Sonya; they gave so much to the RNLI.” Kyle went on to say “The generosity and support from the people of Bangor, from others further afield and from within the RNLI family has been overwhelming. So many individual people, groups and companies have selflessly given of their time, effort and money to fund this new Fenit lifeboat. We at RNLI Bangor Lifeboat wish to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the funding of this new lifeboat possible”

The Bradley and Sonya lifeboat will join Fenit’s all weather Trent class lifeboat Robert Hywell Jones Williams.

Following the official proceedings, the Mayor of North Down inspected the Bangor Crew, before they launched the lifeboat and undertook a special sea rescue demonstration.

The Mayor presented RNLI Bangor Station with a specially commissioned plaque and commemorative glasses made by Belfast Crystal. In keeping with the nautical theme Kevin Byers presented North Down Borough Council with an engraved ships brass barometer and clock set.

Commenting on the day Mr Byers said,

‘We wish to take this opportunity to publicly thank North Down Borough Council for their continued support and for today honouring RNLI Bangor Lifeboat with this most prestigious award. It is a truly fitting tribute to the commitment and dedication of the Bangor volunteer crew, station personnel, fundraisers and helpers both past and present who have devoted so much of their time and effort to saving life at sea.’

The Mayor of North Down Councillor John Montgomery commented:

“This Award honours everyone connected with the Lifeboat Station in Bangor—the crew, station management, fundraisers and helpers. From 2007 Bangor has been the busiest of the eight stations in Northern Ireland. Since the foundation of the present Station in 1965, more than 100 local people have served as crew members. To date the Lifeboat has been launched 1,050 times, rescued 929 people and saved 170. These figures give us some indication of the very critical service our local Station provides to our community. I am delighted that North Down has been able to publicly show its appreciation of the work done and trust that today’s ceremony will serve to further strengthen the links between Council and the Station in the years ahead.”

Bangor RNLI will be given the Freedom of the Borough on Saturday 18th September 2010 in tribute to its 45 years of sterling service off the shores of North Down.

The ‘Jessie Hillyard’ the Atlantic 85 type lifeboat based in Bangor Harbour is the fastest lifeboat in the RNLI’s fleet with two Yamaha 4-stroke engines giving a top speed of 35 knots. It features state of the art radar, chart plotter VHF radio and radio direction finding technology to enhance its lifesaving capabilities. Volunteer crew at Bangor take pride in a launch time of under four minutes from when their rescue pagers are activated.

Everyone connected with RNLI Bangor Lifeboat – the crew, station management, fundraisers and helpers – are all volunteers, giving freely of their time, braving all weathers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help save life at sea.

Bangor’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Byers also a volunteer is looking forward to receiving North Down Borough Councils highest award honouring the work of RNLI Bangor Lifeboat.

Kevin said,

‘We wish to publicly thank North Down Borough Council for their continued support and for honouring RNLI Bangor Lifeboat with this prestigious award’ he added ‘It is a truly fitting tribute to the huge commitment and dedication of the Bangor volunteer crew and station personnel both past and present who have devoted so much of their time and effort to lifesaving at sea’

On Saturday 14th August at 5.30pm RNLI Bangor Lifeboat launched to assist 5 people on-board a 21ft speed boat which had experienced engine failure ¼ mile off the coast close to Smelt Mill Bay which is on the southern shores of Belfast Lough.

The second rescue took place on Sunday 15th August at 8pm; volunteer crew launched Bangor Lifeboat to assist 2 people on-board a 23ft yacht which had experienced engine failure after being swamped in Ballyholme Bay.

The third rescue took place on Tuesday 17th August at 5.30pm and involved volunteer RNLI crew launching to assist 2 people on-board a 21ft angling boat which had experienced engine failure ½ mile off Black Head Light House which marks the Northern shore entrance to Belfast Lough.

Calm weather conditions allowed for all three vessels to be taken under tow and for their crews to be landed safely ashore.

Ever mindful of the dangers caused by mechanical failure when afloat, Kevin Baird a volunteer with RNLI Bangor Lifeboat said,

‘We urge everyone going to sea to make sure their engine and electrical systems are properly maintained and in good working order’. He added ‘Breaking down at sea could lead to a life-threatening situation’. ‘We’re happy that all these people are now safely ashore’

The Royal invite for Tommy and his partner Roberta was in recognition of their long and devoted service to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

During his 22 years of service as a volunteer with RNLI Bangor Lifeboat, Tommy has carried out numerous rescues missions which have resulted in the saving of many lives.

Tommy continues to be actively involved at RNLI Bangor Lifeboat and enjoys sharing his nautical knowledge and experiences with younger crew members.

Ever mindful of the risks involved when going afloat, Tommy used this opportunity to promote the RNLI’s sea safety message when he said,

‘When going afloat always wear a lifejacket, check your engine and fuel, tell others where you are going, carry some means of calling for help and always check the weather and tides’