Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue Team

01/04/2026

Please take heed if you intend to walk around the Whitepark Bay/Portbradden area. If you are in difficulty or see anyone in difficulty call ☎️ 999 and ask for Coastguard

16/03/2026

We hope you all enjoy the fun and games around St Patrick’s day. Can we make a special request that you consider carefully making any dips or swims. With gale warnings in place for sea areas Malin and Irish Sea this will create powerful sea states that are likely to overcome swimmers in seconds. There have been several tragedies this year already in organised swims. Please be safe safe and if you do see someone in difficulty call ☎️ 999 and ask for Coastguard.

Latest shipping forecasts for the next 24 hours. Contains gale warnings, wind direction, wind force, sea state, weather and visibility.

14/03/2026

Please keep them in your thoughts.

Today, we remember Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, and technical crew, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby, the four crew of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116, who lost their lives on March 14th 2017 while serving our community.

Their commitment to the service will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and colleagues during this time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

04/03/2026

Is your watersport equipment clearly labelled? 🏄🏻‍♀️

Adding your contact details to your canoe, paddleboard, kayak, or other kit helps us reach you quickly if you ever get separated from it. If we find your equipment, we can contact you straight away to confirm you’re safe.

You can order our free waterproof labels here: https://f.mtr.cool/szhglwscuu

Once they arrive, write your details on and stick the label securely to your equipment.

23/02/2026

What a weekend! As previously posted Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRT) from all over N. Ireland and SW Scotland (coastal operations area 16) attended a continuous professional development (CPD) weekend. This was organised by the area management team (AMT) and Ballycastle CRT. A special word of thanks needs to be extended to some others as well. Coleraine Coastguard played a vital role in supporting the event with equipment and personnel without which, the event would not have been such a success. We would also like to mention a special thanks to Steering Positive Minds who kindly provided, and set up our welfare and casualty clearing station with their gazebo’s, catering equipment, snacks and members. This was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Ballycastle Harbour also, who accommodated the event. We want to pass on our thanks to the AMT who organised budgets, hotels, travel and lots of other things. Thank you to the headquarters staff who provided speakers for the CPD topics. We would like to especially thank our local Senior Coastal Operations Officer Kathrine Duffin who put in a significant amount of time and effort behind the scenes. Finally, thank you to all the visiting CRT’s who took an active part and managed to deal with the dramatics of the weekend. Well done and thank you to all! (News outlet links are in comments. Please feel free to add them if you find any others)

20/02/2026

On Saturday 21st February we will be conducting an exercise in the vicinity of Ballycastle Harbour. There will be quite a few Coastguard vehicles and equipment in the area over the weekend. Please do not be alarmed and feel free to spectate. We would ask that you don’t put yourself in any danger. Please give the teams plenty of space to work and be respectful of their safety.

30/01/2026

Fishermen are encouraged to come along to your nearest Safety Roadshow to get your hands on some free kit, benefit from life saving first aid and defibrillator training, and much more! We will also be providing free net mending training for skippers and crew at the events in Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie. Not to be missed!

Seafish Industry Training Association - NI Ltd NIFPO - Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation Anifpo Ltd Northern Ireland FishMish Home and Dry Sea Source NI RNLI NIFHA

10/01/2026

07/01/2026

20/11/2025

This message doesn’t get anymore real. Please take heed!

17/11/2025

Please have a watch of the video and take heed. Let’s do our best to stop the devastation on our roads.

02/10/2025

Belfast Coastguard – Important Safety Notice Ahead of Storm Amy

Attention all vessel owners, marina operators, and coastal users — as Storm Amy approaches, now is the time to act. Strong winds and hazardous sea conditions will make it essential that your boats and floating structures are securely moored.

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⚠️ Why this matters

High winds and waves can put enormous strain on mooring lines, cleats, fenders and anchors.

Failure of a line or chafe point can lead to vessels breaking free, drifting, causing collisions or damage.

A well-secured vessel helps protect not only your own property, but also others around you (other boats, piers, infrastructure).

In storms, salvage or rescue are far more dangerous — prevention is much easier, safer, and less costly.

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📅 Forecasted Wind Periods (approximate based on current warnings)

From the Met Office:

Northern Ireland: Yellow wind warning from Friday 16:00 until Saturday 06:00

Scotland / north-west UK: yellow (and in places amber) warnings for strong winds from Friday evening through Saturday

For the Irish Sea and west coast of Scotland, conditions are expected to become increasingly hazardous starting Friday evening, with the most severe gusts through Friday night and gradually easing during Saturday.

Please note: these timings are based on current forecasts and may shift. Always monitor updates from the Met Office and local weather services.

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✅ What you should do now

1. Double-check all mooring lines
Use strong, serviceable lines and ensure there is redundancy (multiple lines). Inspect for wear, chafe, knots, and fittings.

2. Use extra length / scope where possible
More line gives flexibility and energy absorption in surges.

3. Ensure proper chafe protection
Wherever lines pass over edges, cleats, fairleads or rubbing surfaces, protect them with sleeves or extra wraps.

4. Check all connections, shackles, and fittings
Make sure they are secure, properly sized, and cannot slip.

5. Deploy additional warps if available
Consider backlines, breast lines or snubbers to reduce shock loads.

6. Remove or secure loose items on deck
Anything that can be carried away by wind or waves should be stowed or lashed down.

7. Alert your neighbours & marina staff
Make sure adjacent vessels are also well secured — stray boats in a storm are a danger to all.

8. Monitor the situation & stay ready to act
Keep watch during the high-wind period, and have crew or assistance ready if lines need adjusting or repair.

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Please treat this as a serious call to action. Storm Amy has the potential to produce dangerous conditions along exposed coasts and sea areas. If in doubt, shore your vessel or move it to a more sheltered berth well in advance.

Stay safe and be prepared.
— Belfast Coastguard