Lough Neagh Rescue paged by HMCG at 19:30 with Kinnego Lifeboat launched and underway at 19:36.
Vessel reported out of fuel with unknown location only that they had left the Battery Harbour 2 hours previous proceeding to Kinnego Marina.
Vessel was located and put under tow 2 miles off Rams island at 19:58.
The two persons on board and a dog were all wearing lifejackets and made good use of their VHF.
The Vessel was towed back to it’s berth in Kinnego Marina.
Kinnego Lifeboat back at base and refueled at 20:55.

Lough Neagh Rescue is proud to announce that, following a new Maritime and Coastguard Agency policy of inspection of Independent Lifeboat Stations in the UK, we are the first of the 21 Independent UK Lifeboat Stations to receive this new inspection and have been officially validated as a Declared Facility of the Coastguard for Lough Neagh. An exercise was carried out in April where the capabilities and readiness of LNR crew from both Ardboe and Kinnego stations were scrutinised by Coastguard. This was followed up, at both Stations, with a detailed inspection of the Kinnego and Ardboe Lifeboats and their equipment and their maintenance by a MCA surveyor. The MCA also inspected the overall management of Lough Neagh Rescue and its Stations including records of the crew’s qualifications, experience and training. Lough Neagh Rescue has been proven to be capable and ready at all times in the event of any callout. Well done to all the crew for maintaining our high standards of training and our high levels of maintained vessels and equipment. Lough Neagh Rescue supporting us saves lives.

Lough Neagh Rescue tasked by MRCC Belfast at 19:24 to reports of 3 persons stranded on Coney Island due to the poor weather conditions. The wind was gusting up to force 8 (Gale). Kinnego Lifeboat transferred the casualties from the island and landed them into the care of the Lough Neagh Coastguard team at Maghery.

Lough Neagh Rescue are proud to announce that we have been awarded Junction One’s Charity of the Year for 2012.
Please say tuned for upcoming fundraising events at Junction One throughout the year.
Many thanks to Junction One and all who worked on this award.

It is with deepest sympathy and heartfelt anguish that Lough Neagh Rescue have to report the sudden loss of a crew mate. Martin Kidd, based in Antrim was at the forefront of helping to establish our Antrim base. His dedication and honesty to all he approached was remarkable. Lough Neagh Rescue are very proud to have known Martin as a crew member, and true friend to all. We pass on our sincere sympathy to his wife Janet, father Mervyn a director in Lough Neagh Rescue also, and his surrounding family and friends.

Paged 16:32 – HMCG tasked Lough Neagh Rescue to a reported missing person in the Vicinity of Shillington Bridge, Portadown. Both Ardboe and Kinnego Lifeboats launched immediately to assist in the search. Shortly after being launched, both boats were stood down and search called off.

Following their recent AGM the new Board of Lough Neagh Rescue has announced their approved plans for a lifeboat station to be located beside Antrim Council’s slipway into the Sixmilewater River.

Lough Neagh Rescue was established in 1990 following the tragic death of David Gray jnr. His father David Gray snr. set about progressing a lifeboat service for Lough Neagh that resulted in two stations being set up, one based at Kinnego Marina, Lurgan, and the other at the Battery Harbour, Ardboe.
With the implementation of the new station at Antrim, Lough Neagh Rescue will then have a triangulation of stations around the shores of Lough Neagh that will not only improve their already impressive response times to any callout but will leave the Lough better covered than ever in the event of a major incident.

Lough Neagh Rescue is a registered charity funded by local councils around the Lough and by public donations. All members are volunteers who undertake continuous training and dedicate their time and efforts to saving lives on Lough Neagh.

Lough Neagh Rescue will be part of the Boat race in Antrim this year, why not come along for a great family day out, and show your support!

Directors disscussing the plans for the Antrim LNR Station Terry Walsh, Darren Mallon, Billy Mullen, Paul Quinn, Paul Duffy (Connor McGuckin, Mervyn Kidd, Desi Lundy, John Elliott, not present)

LNR Crew enjoyed an evening Orienteering at Craigavon Lakes finished of with Domino’s Pizza. The winning team where subject to a “stewards enquiry” as claims of cheating and mis-direction abounded.
The evening, although it was chilly out, was attended by almost all the Crew. Everyone agreed it had been a fantastic success. Thanks to Mark Cahoon who made the arrangements.

Once again the children of Craigavon delighted in the arrival of Santa by Lifeboat up the River Bann to the Meadows Shopping Centre. The crowd this year where doubly treated by the arrival of not one, but two Lifeboats, delighting the even larger crowd than last year.

Units from LNR including Lifeboats from Kinnego, Ardboe and Antrim Stations took part in a missing person search of the River Bann. The search took place over 10 days co-ordinated by PSNI POLSA Officers. The search was regretably concluded by an eventual recovery by the Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Services Diving unit. Our sincere thanks go out to these volunteers who without asking for reward, attend such incidents throughout Ireland for the benefit of the community.