Donaghadee Lifeboat

03/06/2026

⛳️ Are you available this Friday evening? Why not come along and enjoy a Friday Night Special at Donaghadee Golf Club….

🏌🏻‍♀️ Or even better, take part in the annual
RNLI LIFEBOAT OPEN on Friday!!

Details are below, as always we are very grateful for the Golf Club hosting this annual and much looked forward to event!

03/06/2026

Donaghadee Lifeboat volunteers were launched yesterday afternoon Tuesday 02 June, after reports of a man struggling in the water in Donaghadee harbour.

The crew were paged at 3.46pm on Tuesday 02 June by HM Coastguard after they received a call from a member of the public who had noticed a dingy adrift and a man struggling in the water and holding on to a boat. This member of the public was able to also alert a local fishing boat and with the skipper tried to retrieve the casualty but unfortunately were unable to do so.

The senior station technician Iain Kaleda was already in the Trent class lifeboat Macquarie doing routine maintenance when the pagers were activated, enabling the crew to be on scene quickly in the smaller boarding boat and to retrieve the casualty to the safety of the harbour itself.

Casualty care was administered immediately by crew members Chris Stewart and John Petrie, who were able to ascertain that the gentleman was suffering from the effects of cold-water immersion but was otherwise alert. He was accompanied into the warmth of the lifeboat station, where further casualty care was provided to help warm him and check for any other injuries, support and advice was also offered by the Coastguard Rescue Team. The gentleman was in good spirits, declined any further medical attention, and was happy to return home independently.

Following the call out Senior Station Technician Iain Kaleda commented ‘ We are all very relieved to have been able to help this gentleman so quickly and that he wasn’t in the water for an extended length of time. I must also commend the member of the public who spotted the casualty,also the local boat owner whom jointly attempted to recover the casualty, the acted correctly and swiftly. As always we do recommend wearing a lifejacket at all times when you are in and around a boat on the water. Thankfully a successful outcome.’

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Open Day returns on Saturday 20th June and we’re looking forward to another fantastic day on the harbour! 🌊🧡

As always, we’re inviting local businesses, community groups, charities, exhibitors and stall holders to come along and be part of the day. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase what you do while supporting your local lifeboat station and enjoying a great community atmosphere. ⚓

If you’d like to take a stall space at this year’s event, please get in touch with Carol Day on 📞 07969 904841.

Please share with anyone who may be interested – and we hope to see you there for a great family day out! 🚤🎉

Donaghadee LocalBusiness FamilyFun

25/05/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Open Day returns on Saturday 20th June and we’re looking forward to another fantastic day on the harbour! 🌊🧡

As always, we’re inviting local businesses, community groups, charities, exhibitors and stall holders to come along and be part of the day. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase what you do while supporting your local lifeboat station and enjoying a great community atmosphere. ⚓

If you’d like to take a stall space at this year’s event, please get in touch with Carol Day on 📞 07969 904841.

Please share with anyone who may be interested – and we hope to see you there for a great family day out! 🚤🎉

25/05/2026

Inflatables are great for the pool, but they’re not safe for the sea.

Even in light winds, they can quickly drift you out to sea and put you in danger.

If you’re heading to the beach this bank holiday, leave inflatables at home and save them for the pool instead.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

24/05/2026

🌊💙 This morning we were delighted to welcome young supporter Xander to RNLI Donaghadee Lifeboat Station during our crew training morning.

Xander is taking part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile campaign — helping to raise vital funds that support the lifesaving work carried out by RNLI crews around our coasts. 🚶‍♂️🧡

He had the chance to meet some of the crew, see the station in action during training, and learn more about the dedication and commitment involved in saving lives at sea. 🌊🚤

A huge thank you to Xander for supporting the RNLI and helping make a difference. Everyone at Donaghadee Lifeboat Station wishes him the very best with his Mayday Mile challenge! 👏💪

19/05/2026

Float to Live could save your life.

Remember:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It's okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

Practice these steps at a supervised location, like a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach so you know what to do in an emergency.

14/05/2026

Some great advice 💪

Are you planning to book a commercial sailing trip this summer? ⛵

These are often referred to as adventure sailing holidays. Here are a few things to ask before you go 👇

• Is the vessel certificated for commercial use, and can you show me the certificate or confirmation? If you’re paying for the trip, it should be operating as a commercial vessel, not a private “pleasure” outing.

• How many passengers will be carried, and is it a shared trip? This will help you understand the type of vessel and the safety requirements it follows.

• Who is the skipper today, and what qualifications do they hold for commercial operations, and is it commercially endorsed? A professional operator will clearly explain who’s responsible and what qualifications they hold.

• Are there lifejackets available in the right sizes, and guidance on when they’ll be worn? Before setting off, you should be told how to move safely, when to wear a lifejacket, and what to do in an emergency.

• If the forecast changes, what’s the plan, and how will you keep passengers informed? Good operators plan carefully and will adapt or cancel if needed.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t board.

If basic questions about safety, certification, or responsibilities can’t be answered, trust your instincts.

13/05/2026

🌟 What a fantastic night at the Donaghadee Lifeboat Quiz tonight! 🌟

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the fundraiser — with an incredible 17 teams taking part, the Meadowbank was buzzing all evening! 👏🧠

A special thank you to Joe Skeats who did a brilliant job as quiz master and kept the night flowing from start to finish! 🎤👏

Congratulations to our winning teams tonight 🏆

🥉 3rd Place — 3 Smarties and a Tube
🥈 2nd Place — Without a Trace
🥇 1st Place — Not Drowning But Waving

Thanks to the amazing support from everyone who attended, donated prizes, bought ballot tickets and joined in the fun, we raised approximately £800 for the RNLI! 🚤🧡

We’d also like to give a special thank you to Stephen Bailie and Next Generation Properties for sponsoring the main prize, along with everyone who donated such fantastic ballot prizes throughout the evening.

Your support helps us continue saving lives at sea, and nights like this show just how incredible the local community is. 🌊👏