Portaferry RNLI

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea Portaferry Lifeboat Station was established by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at Portaferry, Co. Down.

Down, Northern Ireland in 1980. The station is one of the 236 RNLI lifeboat stations located on the coastline and inland waters of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland that are funded entirely through voluntary donations and legacies. Portaferry Lifeboat, 'Blue Peter V', is an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. The Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest lifeboats in the RNLI's fleet and is capable of speeds up to 35 knots (approx. 40mph). It carries a crew of four. Portaferry Lifeboat Station is located at Portaferry, Co. Down, opposite the Portaferry/Strangford Ferry slipway from where the station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, 'Blue Peter V', is launched using a tractor and carriage. As a 'Blue Peter' lifeboat station we especially welcome visits by (adult supervised) children. Portaferry Lifeboat's official service area covers all of the waters of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea waters up to five nautical miles offshore between Burr Point, Ballyhalbert, Co. Down to St. Johns Point, Co. Sometimes this area is extended when working with flanking lifeboat stations

01/11/2026

Today our station flag has been lowered, and the thoughts of our crew are with the family and friends of Ciara Mageean.

Ciara was a proud Portaferry girl whose dedication, commitment and warmth of character was an inspiration to so many.

We commend Ciara for the strength, determination and defiance she faced every battle with; and we thank her for the hope, the positivity, and the energy, watching her brought to us.

Rest easy Ciara.

28/10/2026

Portaferry RNLI volunteers last night (Tuesday 27th) welcomed Coastguard teams from Newcastle, Bangor and Portaferry to the station for a joint search and rescue night exercise.

The realistic scenario saw need for a search of the shoreline and an island to the south of Strangford Lough, and a Coastguard team were transferred by the lifeboat to a location.

All casualties were located and cared for before being returned to Portaferry boathouse.

Lifeboat crews were changed during the search allowing more volunteers to benefit from the exercise.

During a debrief for all involved, crews talked about it being an enjoyable and beneficial exercise with the Coastguard learning about the operational capabilities of our Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat.

Our lifeboat volunteers often work alongside these Coastguard teams, but rarely have an opportunity to meet them and have a cup of tea.

Last night's exercise was a first in recent years for these volunteer teams and something we will build on for the future.

Portaferry RNLI thank our volunteer lifeboat helm Rusty McGovern, for his imagination, and also Ed Rusk, from the Coastguard for making last night happen.

Newcastle Coastguard Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team Belfast Coastguard

23/10/2026

Storm Boelo is on its way.

With winds gusting over 60mph forecast for Portaferry tomorrow (Saturday 24th) and into Sunday, there is a risk to safety and we are urging the public to exercise caution, particularly along coast roads, exposed seafronts, piers and waterside paths.

Please keep the high tide times and wind direction in mind if you are out, even in the car, and be prepared to cancel or change your plans.

High tide times tomorrow and Sunday:
Portavogie - 10.47am - 10.52pm - 10.19am -
Strangford - 12.24pm - 12.29am - 11.56am
Ardglass - 10.43am - 10.51pm - 10.18am

The RNLI's safety advice is:
-Stay well back from stormy, rough seas and any exposed waterside location.
-Check the weather forecast and tide times before you go out.
-Take a fully charged phone with you and let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.

If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live: lie back in the water with your head so far back that your ears are wet, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself as you could end up in difficulty too.

22/10/2026

We'll have Christmas cards for sale at our quiz later in the Portaferry Hotel so make sure you call in and grab a packet.

See you at 8pm!

20/10/2026

Are you coming along for the craic on Thursday night?

8pm start.

19/10/2026

Portaferry RNLI receive donation after popular racing series comes to an end

Portaferry RNLI station was recently visited by Gordon Galloway Treasurer of the Strangford Lough Racing Cruisers Association, who made a donation of £500 marking the end of the popular 'Round the Lough' series of races.

The association was formed in the early 1970's with the aim of bringing clubs around Strangford Lough together to promote racing of cruising boats both in the Lough, and offshore.

The series of Sunday racing, usually held in September, encouraged the cooperation of clubs to provide a sociable and enjoyable series of races with every member of participating clubs welcome to take part.

Although popular for over 50 years, times have changed and due to the covid pandemic 'breaking the habit' of the late season series, the association who have donated to the RNLI almost annually in the past decade, have decided to close the accounts.

Portaferry RNLI fundraising guild chairperson, Pat Browne, said: 'We thank Gordon for making this donation on behalf of the SLRCA, and for taking the time to come over to our station.

'It is sad to see such a long standing series of racing wound up, but we are sure it has brought much pleasure to generations of Strangford Lough sailors over the years.

'We thank all the clubs who have contributed to the association's accounts over the years for this donation. This money is vital and helps to keep our crew training, and kit up to date, enabling Portaferry RNLI to continue to save lives at sea on and around Strangford Lough.'

17/10/2026

It's Championship weekend!!

Well done to our partner club, Portaferry GAC's senior camogs, hurlers and their management on getting to their county finals.

We send good wishes to the camogs for this afternoon, and the hurlers on their trip to Newry tomorrow.

A special mention to our lifeboat crew member, Michael Pucci, whose three sons Eoin, Shea and Dara are playing for Ballygalget's senior team on Sunday. Good luck lads.

16/10/2026

What are your plans for Thursday night?

Come along and enjoy the craic!

06/10/2026

Portaferry RNLI inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, lanunched on exercise and heading up into Strangford Lough to run through emergency procedures and some navigation.

We have some ashore training happening in the station for the crew not out on exercise, and others are checking emergency equipment is in full working order should it be called upon.

30/09/2026

Portaferry RNLI crew pagers sounded at 4.56pm this afternoon (Wednesday 30 September) after Belfast Coastguard received reports that two people and a dog had been cut off by the tide at the northern end of Strangford Lough.

The station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter V, launched quickly with helm Scott Blackwood, and crew members Molly Crowe, Rosslyn Wetret and Chris Jenkins onboard.

Conditions at the time of launching were a clear sky, with a force 6 strong southerly breeze and a moderately choppy sea state.

While making their way to the incident, with a worsening sea state and dropping tide, the decision was taken that the lifeboat would be unable to get close enough to the shore to safely transfer the casualties onto the lifeboat.

The lifeboat crew returned to the station at 6pm where she was washed, refuelled and made ready for the next call out.

Eleven volunteers responded to their pagers and we thank them for their commitment to saving lives at sea.

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http://www.portaferrylifeboat.com/

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