Portrush RNLI lifeboats among busiest in NI

The figures, which cover the period June 1 to August 31, show that the charity’s volunteer crewmembers in Portrush launched four times from their all-weather lifeboat, William Gordon Burr and 14 times from their inshore boat, David Roulston.

Among the callouts for the station, was a busy weekend when the crew were paged three times, first to a report of a dog having fallen off cliffs, the second to a report of a missing child and the last, a request to a report of flares being sighted off the Portrush coast which turned out to be Chinese lanterns.

Across Northern Ireland this summer, RNLI lifeboats launched 106 times, a slight drop on last year’s total of 115.

The busiest station in the north and overall in Ireland was Enniskillen, which operates two inshore lifeboats on Lough Erne and two Rescue Water Craft. Owen Medland, RNLI Training Divisional Inspector said: “This has been another busy summer for the RNLI despite the unpredictable weather.

“There have been some stories of incredible bravery and also some stories of devastating loss. In all cases our lifeboat volunteers have show extreme professionalism and commitment. “