Busy RNLI unit looking to recruit new volunteers

Busy RNLI unit looking to recruit new volunteers

30 April 2014

PORTAFERRY RNLI has been quietly saving lives at sea for over 30 years. Since the station opened its lifeboat has been launched 784 times, rescued 653 people and saved 104 lives. And as the popularity of Strangford Lough as a leisure destination continues to grow, more volunteers are required.

In the past year alone the Blue Peter V and its volunteer crew has been launched 25 times, bringing 20 people to safety — often in dark and difficult conditions.

Portaferry RNLI was established in May 1980 due to the increase in pleasure boating activity and commercial traffic in Strangford Lough and the surrounding Irish Sea, and is one of the seven RNLI stations famously sponsored by children’s TV programme Blue Peter.

In 2009, a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat — with the Blue Peter V name still intact — was placed in service and a new boathouse constructed to accommodate the larger vessel.

Brian Bailie, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, is calling on anyone who may be interested in coming on board to come along to the station on one of its upcoming open days to find out more.

“We are looking for anyone aged 17 years and over who is willing to offer some of their free time to join, what I believe to be, one of the most exhilarating and rewarding voluntary services that is out there,” he said.

“Every volunteer receives first class training from the RNLI and learns skills which can benefit them in many walks of life.”

Volunteers have to be reasonably fit, are required to take medical and eyesight tests and should live within six minutes travel time from the lifeboat station.

As station press officer Bernard Roddy explained, however, it is open to people from all walks of life.

“We have all sorts of men and women aged from 17 and 18 through to their 40s,” he said. “They do all have to live or work fairly close to the station as we need the boat in the water very quickly.”

One of the biggest recent rescues took place last month, when 14 kayakers off the coast of Killyleagh got into trouble.

“We got the call at 12.05pm and within four minutes we had responded,” said Bernard. “Four of the kayakers were in the water, which was pretty cold, so there was a danger there. We immediately got the four into a boat and got the rest on board...it was pretty choppy.”

Another featured the rescue of a fisherman from Portavogie who feared the worst when his vessel capsized.

“His boat started to sink and he put out a May Day call,” said Bernard. “The boat when down in minutes. He was basically just floating in the water for half-an-hour. He actually came to the station afterwards to thank everyone.”

With a mixture of open shore and Lough rescues throughout the year, many are more everyday events — but nevertheless crucial to those involved. The latest was on Monday, after Portaferry RNLI was called out to assist two men on board a fishing boat close to Ardglass. The stricken vessel had suffered engine failure, but just 20 minutes later the crew was on the scene to tow the 10 metre fishing boat and its crew safely back to harbour.

But for those who don’t see themselves on the open seas there are also positions on shore for crew to clean the lifeboat and prepare it for relaunch once it comes back from a rescue.

“Immediately it needs washed down to remove all the salt, any rescue equipment needs to be replaced and the engine needs to be flushed out,” said Bernard.

He added that the Portaferry crew enjoyed their volunteer role but were fairly low key about getting on with the job.

“I think they do get a great sense of satisfaction out of what they do,” said Bernard. “They shun the limelight, though. They say they are just doing what they are trained to do.”

Anyone who feels they have the time and commitment to volunteer for the charity, which is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is asked to email Brian at lom@portaferrylifeboat.com. 

Prospective volunteers can also come along to the station’s open days from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, or from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday.