Justice Minister visits Lough Neagh Rescue
Date published:
Justice Minister David Ford visited Lough Neagh Rescue’s lifeboat station at Kinnego Marina to pay tribute to the organisation’s search and rescue work and see at first hand the damage to the station caused by the recent flooding.
Presently, Lough Neagh Rescue operate three lifeboat stations at Kinnego Marina in Oxford Island, the Battery Harbour at Ardboe and at Antrim Marina, providing a voluntary search and rescue service on the Lough and all its major tributaries.
David Ford said: “Lough Neagh Rescue has been providing a rescue boat service on Lough Neagh for almost 30 years, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to see one of their stations today, and to hear about their invaluable work on the lough.
“I have visited a number of the voluntary teams who are members of the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue (NISAR) Practitioners Group over the last few months and have been impressed by the level of dedication and commitment I have seen.”
Kinnego Marina was severely damaged by the flooding in the recent storms with the Lough Neagh Rescue Service premises underwater for more than 20 days. Whilst the building itself had not been damaged, the contents were destroyed.
The Minister added: “I heard today about the damage caused to the station by the recent flooding, and have seen the extent of this myself today. It is encouraging to see how LNR have coped with this and to hear that they have been able to call upon their colleagues in the search and rescue community.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Department of Justice assumed policy responsibility for land and inland water search and rescue (SAR) in Northern Ireland in 2011. A Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Policy group and Practitioners subgroup were set up.
2. Lough Neagh Rescue is a member of the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Practitioners Group, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Justice. Further information can be found on the Lough Neagh rescue website.
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 0769 971 5440 and your call will be returned.