RNLI announces new home for charity’s Lifeguard Support Centre
The RNLI has today (Tuesday 25 November) signed a 15-year lease for a new Lifeguard Support Centre in Coleraine Harbour.
The premises which will now be fitted out in preparation for the 2026 season, will ensure the safe and effective delivery of the lifeguard’s operational service.
The RNLI operates on beaches along the Causeway Coast at Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart Strand, Portrush West, Portrush East, Whiterocks and Ballycastle, and in County Down at Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield.
In 2024, RNLI lifeguards in Northern Ireland responded to 204 incidents, came to the aid of 235 people, five of whom were lives saved.
Speaking after signing the lease, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region said: ‘Today marks an exciting new phase for lifeguarding in Northern Ireland. After 15 years in Ballymoney, we are moving our Lifeguard Support Centre to this new premises in Coleraine Harbour. The move is necessary as the charity's lifeguard service had outgrown its Ballymoney base.
‘I want to thank everyone at Coleraine Harbour and all involved in getting us to this point and we now look forward to getting the facility up and running, and to working with our new neighbours within the harbour. We are excited to see how the harbour develops over the next few years and look forward to a solid partnership with the Harbour Board chaired by Rob Skelly, and Harbour Master Lisa McLaughlin.’
Rob Skelly, Chair of Coleraine Harbour Commissioners said: ‘Coleraine Harbour is very pleased to welcome the RNLI as one of our anchor tenants. The lifeguards of the RNLI provide an essential service on our beaches and we, as a harbour authority, are pleased that the RNLI has chosen to base their Lifeguard Support Centre with us. The Harbour is entering an exciting time in its history, with the start of a major strategic review which, we hope, will see the Harbour return to being a major economic driver for Coleraine and we are delighted that the RNLI will now be part of that future.’
Ends
Photo Details
Pictured at the RNLI’s new Lifeguard Support Centre in Coleraine Harbour are from left, Warren Coates, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Conard McCullagh, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region and Rob Skelly, Chair of Coleraine Harbour Commissioners.
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For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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