Bangor RNLI seek public’s help to solve ‘Sunday night mystery’

Pictured on the boat's return are John Bell, Joel Meharg, Ewan Gerard Rathbone-Scott, Peter Semple, and Rusty McGovern.

The team at Bangor RNLI are reaching out to the public to help solve a mystery after the crews were alerted when their pagers went off on Sunday evening (23 January) at 11.45pm, to reports of red flares sighted off Donaghadee.

According to the team, without hesitation the volunteer crew headed to the station and launched within minutes, along with friends and colleagues in Donaghadee Lifeboat and the Dublin Coast Guard helicopter.

A spokesperson for RNLI Bangor gave an account of the incident:

“During a search of the scene, our crew recovered an inflated lifejacket, but no evidence of anyone in the water.

“Satisfied there was no-one in peril, our crew returned safely at around 3am, and the boat was re-fuelled and cleaned, ready for the next shout.

“The lifejacket was handed over to Belfast Coastguard, and with luck, its serial number and markings will give more clues to help us solve this mystery.”

The dedicated volunteer crew - John Bell, Joel Meharg, Ewan Gerard Rathbone-Scott, Peter Semple, and Rusty McGovern - will no doubt all be a little bleary-eyed this Monday morning.

Bangor RNLI spokesperson concluded:

“If you can shed any light on last night's events, please let us know.

“Finally, a big thank you to everyone who responded last night, and who put the safety of others ahead of a nice warm bed.”