Portaferry RNLI crew receive awards for saving the lives of two sailorsxa0and the station remembers the late Colin Watson
Four Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew members involved in a rescue in September 2024 have been awarded a RNLI commendation from the charity’s Lifesaving Operations Director for their seamanship and teamwork during the lifesaving rescue of two sailors when a fire broke out on their yacht.
With Helm on the call out, Scott Blackwood, and crew Chris Adair, Ros Watret and Molly Crowe, the inshore rescue boat Blue Peter V was launched on Saturday 7 September 2024 into a calm Force 2 with a light north-easterly breeze.
Initially the request to launch was to two sailors on a 35-feet yacht that had lost engine power just over one mile north of the Fairway Buoy at the entrance into Strangford Lough, however, an up-date reported a burning smell onboard the vessel.
The lifeboat arrived on scene within 15 minutes and after a quick assessment, both crew on deck were observed to be well but when flames were seen in the cabin area, both casualties were transferred to the lifeboat immediately and returned to Portaferry station.
The lifeboat then returned to the location of the burning yacht to ensure there was no threat to other vessels in the area.
Speaking after receiving his award, Portaferry RNLI Helm Scott Blackwood said: “It is a great honour for each of us to receive this commendation from the Lifesaving Operations Director.
“I’m grateful to the rest of the crew on the lifeboat that day for their commitment to bringing the casualties to safety.
“The situation escalated quickly once fire broke out, and we had a very different situation to deal with from what we were originally tasked to.
‘It was great to be able to bring both casualties to safety and the recognition from our Lifesaving Operations Director is a great boost to everyone in Portaferry Station.’
Heather Kennedy, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, added: ‘The crew were tasked to a yacht making little headway without engine power in the calm conditions, and dealt with a very different situation once on scene.
“The swift decision making of the crew is what gave this rescue a good outcome.”
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Portaferry RNLI honours legacy of faithful chronicler and stalwart friend with unveiling of plaque
Portaferry RNLI has unveiled a new plaque in memory of longtime RNLI volunteer and photographer, Colin Watson at Portaferry Lifeboat Station on Thursday evening (10 April).
Tributes were paid as friends and lifeboat volunteers gathered to unveil a commemorative plaque in memory of the long-serving RNLI volunteer and photographer, Colin Watson who also left a legacy to the charity to be used for the running of the County Down lifeboat station.
Colin passed away peacefully at Seapatrick Care Home, Banbridge, on 18th May 2020 and left a lasting legacy, both through his generous bequest to Portaferry Lifeboat Station and the countless memories he created with his camera photographing numerous RNLI events and stations.
Heather Kennedy, Portaferry Lifeboat Operations Manager recalled her own memories of Colin in her speech and said: “He would almost appear out of nowhere.
“Many were aware of Colin who would just show up to the lifeboat station with just his camera and a ladder. He has a special love for Portaferry and would have been very close to the Murray family and often called in for a cup of tea and bit of cake.
“Colin was more than just a familiar face at a lifeboat station. He was a dedicated educator, having lectured at Belfast Metropolitan College for many years.
“He was a passionate photographer and inspired hundreds of students. It was here that he met his great friend and colleague Roisin McCaffrey, who would often accompany him on his RNLI photography visits.
“RóisÃn McCaffrey remembered her dear friend in front of a packed lifeboat station, and said: “He was an only child and had never married so the RNLI became his family.
“There was nothing he loved more than going out on the lifeboat during an exercise so that he could photograph the lifeboat crews.
“It made perfect sense that he would leave a legacy to the station he loved so much. Colin was involved with the RNLI until the very end.”
The ceremony was attended by many of Colin’s friends, along with colleagues, lifeboat crew and fundraising volunteers.
One of which was the RNLI’s Head of Region, Anna Classon, who along with his friend Roisin, unveiled the plaque in Colin’s honour.
Anna spoke fondly of her own memories of Portaferry station and of Colin and said: “Colin Watson’s memory lives on not just in the photographs he captured, but in the enduring spirit of support and dedication he brought to the RNLI.”
Colin may no longer be behind the camera, but his legacy remains very much a part of the lifeboat community he so deeply cherished.
