Donate now

Portaferry RNLI rescues four people stranded on island in Strangford Lough

Lifeboats News Release

Portaferry RNLI was called out early this afternoon, (Wednesday 28 June), to rescue a group of four people who had become stranded on an island at the north end of Strangford Lough.

RNLI/Portaferry

The four, two women and two children had become stranded on Rough Island, a small island which lies just off Island Hill in Strangford Lough between Newtownards and Comber County Down.

The island is accessible on foot at low tide via a concrete causeway connecting the mainland to the small island, however the group had been cut off when the causeway became submerged due to the incoming tide.

The Coastguard request to launch was received at 4.34pm and the volunteer lifeboat crew were on the water at 4.40pm, arriving on scene at 5.06pm.

The weather at the time was partly cloudy with good visibility and calm seas.

The women and children were taken on board the lifeboat and transported the short distance to safety on shore.

Once the lifeboat crew were satisfied that the group were no longer in any danger, they departed the scene at 5.15pm to return to station ready for service.

Ends

Photo: Portaferry RNLI’s Bluepeter V Atlantic 85 class lifeboat approaches the stranded group on Rough Island.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Bernard Roddy, Portaferry RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or telephone Nuala McAloon, RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 00353876483547, email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 00 353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories