Three people rescued off Newcastle by RNLI as their paddleboard drifted out to sea

Newcastle RNLI rescued three people who were blown offshore on Saturday afternoon (18 July). 

As volunteers were returning to Newcastle from a routine exercise after visiting and supporting Kilkeel RNLI’s station open day, they were requested by Belfast Coastguard at 4.31pm to assess a report of two people blown out to sea on a paddleboard and another member of the public in an inflatable who was attempting to assist them. 

As the inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat was just approaching the slipway for recovery at time off the request, once details were received, the lifeboat crew could immediately see the casualties approximately 400 yards off the shore at the Downs Road Car Park.

The lifeboat helmed by Locky Leneghan and with crew members Brendan Rooney and Danni Curley onboard, made their way to the scene.

Minutes later, the crew found the three people together.

After speaking to the casualties and confirming all were well, the crew transferred them onto the lifeboat and returned them safely to shore and into the care of Newcastle Coastguard.

Earlier in the week, at 5.26pm on Thursday evening (15 July), Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat to reports of an over-turned kayak approximately one mile off the Bloody Bridge car park, two miles south off Newcastle. 

The lifeboat helmed by Shane Rice and with crew members Declan Barry, Brendan Rooney and Ciaran Leneghan onboard, launched and was on scene within five minutes.

A search of the area was carried out alongside Newcastle Coastguard who had a vantage point on the cliff top.

With nothing untoward found other than a swimming noodle, the call out was deemed to be a false alarm with good intent and the search was stood down.

Speaking following the call outs, Newcastle RNLI Helm Locky Leneghan said: “Offshore wind can easily blow you out to sea, so we would encourage anyone planning a trip or activity to go prepared.

“Always check weather and tides in advance, and always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back.

“Always have a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity and always have a means of communication on you should you need help, such a fully charge mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.

“While inflatables are good fun, we would remind everyone that they are designed for the pool and not the beach.

‘While the first call out on Thursday proved to be a false alarm with good intent, we would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm, that is always the right thing to do if you think you see someone in difficulty in the water.’