Portaferry RNLI quartet recognised for bravery

Portaferry RNLI quartet recognised for bravery

7 August 2024

FOUR Portaferry RNLI crew members recently received a prestigious award for their bravery and courage.

Helm Dave Fisher and crew members Russell McGovern, George Toma and Darren Coles were awarded the charity’s Chief Executive Commendation for their seamanship during the rescue of two people who got into difficulty while kayaking.

The incident occurred in November 2022 when, after a search of Kilclief Bay, the crew were requested by HM Coastguard to move further out of Strangford Lough and continue their search.

After assessing sea conditions, were about to request support from flanking RNLI stations, Newcastle and Donahadee, with their all-weather lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter.

However, the Coastguard informed the crew that one of the kayakers was reported to be in the water and was at risk of being lost or drowning.

With this in mind, the crew went to mouth of the lough and commenced a search one mile east of St Patrick’s Rock where they faced a strong wind and rough sea conditions. 

Both casualties were found and were brought ashore at Strangford where they were then transferred to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for medical assessment. 

After receiving the award from the charity, Dave Fisher said: “It’s a great honour for each of us to receive this commendation from the chief executive and I’m thankful to the rest of the crew on the lifeboat that day for their courage and commitment.”

Crew member Russell McGovern added: “Conditions had been building for a couple of days and when we headed out over the Strangford bar we were dealing with a storm hitting against a full spring ebb tide – it was a challenging time to be out there.

“In seas like that you can only see as far as the next wave – George did well to catch a glimpse of the kayak.”