Did you know that there are 238 RNLI lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland? We are shining a light on our different lifeboat stations. This week, the #StationSpotlight is on @PortrushRNLI in Northern Ireland!
Situated on Northern Ireland’s famous Causeway Coast, Portrush RNLI Lifeboat Station has approximately 25 lifeboat volunteers that operate two active lifeboats: William Gordon Burr, a Severn class lifeboat, and The David Roulston (Civil Service 52), a D class lifeboat.
Portrush RNLI is the only lifeboat station to carry out rescues in three separate countries: Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Their rescue radius covers as far as Malin Head in ROI (60 miles west of station) and Islay in Scotland (30 miles east of station).
On 13th February 1989, Portrush Lifeboat launched in dreadful conditions to reports of two Spanish trawlers in difficulty. The photograph of the vessel, during what was said to be the worst storm ever seen in the area, conveys the sheer courage of the crew in the face of danger.
In 2004 Coleraine Borough Council granted the Freedom of the Borough, the highest honour that a civic authority can bestow, to @PortrushRNLI.
Eight Silver Medals and two Bronze Medals have been awarded to the volunteers at Portrush RNLI. The latest Bronze Medal was awarded to Anthony Chambers in 2010, after he rescued two boys from a cave in Castlerock. Watch the rescue reconstruction here 👉
Portrush RNLI has an active Fundraising Team. One of the most successful events was a Champagne breakfast with 2010 US Open champion and Portrush native @Graeme_McDowell who hosted a Q&A before The Open Championship 2019 at the Royal Portrush, to raise funds for the RNLI.
In 2021 RNLI Portrush’s Medical Advisor, Dr Martin O’Kane, wrote a book ‘Dee The Little Lifeboat’ which has raised nearly £14k for the station so far! The boat’s adventure takes little Dee from Portrush to Rathlin.
To find out more, including recent launches and news from @PortrushRNLI, check out: rnli.social/PortrushLifebo…
And keep an eye out for our next Station Spotlight, coming soon! 👀
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