Independent Lifeboat Services in Northern Ireland
Independent Lifeboat Services in Northern Ireland
Photo Credit: Foyle Search & Rescue
In Northern Ireland there are a number of voluntary organisations independent of the RNLI providing Search and Rescue services at sea and on inland waterways.
They are declared resources and are available to respond to emergencies in their area of responsibility on a 24/7/365 basis.
The section below contains information on some of these organisations. For further information visit the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue website
Community Rescue Service
Community Rescue Service
The Community Rescue Service (CRS) are a voluntary search and rescue organisation who provide a range of services including Water Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue, Suicide Prevention, Lowland Rescue Search Dogs, Safety Patrols, Lowland Rescue, CRS Emergency Bikes and Crisis Intervention for all of Northern Ireland
CRS have a fleet of 16 boats and several specially trained water rescue teams to ensure we can provide an immediate and appropriate response. Some of these boats and other water craft are permanently stationed in strategic locations on the River Bann, the River Lagan, the River Finn and the Mourne. Others are kept ready on trailers to be deployed anywhere they may be required.
Foyle Search and Rescue
Foyle Search and Rescue
Foyle Search and Rescue is voluntary based search and rescue charity, operating in Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
Foyle Search and Rescue was set up by local people in 1993 in response to the alarmingly high number of drownings in the river (30 within 18 months) and has adopted the role of preventing suicide and supporting families in the City.
Lough Neagh Rescue
Lough Neagh Rescue
Lough Neagh Rescue provides an independent voluntary Search and Rescue service on Western Europe’s largest shallow lake, being over 152 Sq miles of water expanse.
Presently, they operate 3 lifeboat stations positioned strategically on the riparian shores of Lough Neagh, namely at Kinnego Marina, the Battery Harbour, Ardboe and at Antrim Marina.
