24 June 2005

Coastguard to get new Lough Neagh base

The Coastguard search and rescue team at Lough Neagh are to get a new base, it was confirmed on Friday.

The Craigavon Council Recreational Buildings will accommodate a combined response unit involving the Lough Neagh Coastguard Team and the Fire and Rescue Service.

Brett Cunningham, Belfast Coastguard Area Operations Manager said: "We are very pleased to consolidate this invaluable operational partnership with our colleagues in the Fire & Rescue Service. Response to any maritime incident requires speed and efficient targeting of resources. This Emergency Service synergy will increase our ability in inland waters."

Senior Divisional Officer Brian Gough, Southern Area Commander, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service added: "This pilot scheme with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency covering Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, represents an important partnership for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and underlines the commitment of both organisations to respond to inland water incidents in a co-ordinated way with the greatest possible level of speed and efficiency."

Measuring 20 miles long by 10 miles wide, Lough Neagh is the largest inland water in the UK and is regularly used by leisure and commercial vessels.

(MB/SP)