A RNLI crew have rescued a man, child and dog cut off by a high tide. Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew responded to the pagers at 11.42am on Sunday morning, December 15, when the two people and dog became cut off by the incoming tide on Rough Island at the northern end of Strangford Lough.
A statement said: "Conditions at the time were a cloudy force 3 breeze and full tide. Once on the water helm Scott Blackwood and crew members Ros Watret and Steven Lloyd made their way to Rough Island where the casualties were spotted quickly. They were observed to be well and were assisted onto the lifeboat by members of Bangor Coastguard rescue team and taken to the safety of Island Hill carpark."
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Later, at 1.35pm while returning to Portaferry station, the crew received a request to divert to Ringhaddy Sound where a diver had become separated from friends and had not returned to the shore.
The crew attended, and were stood down a short time later when the diver was found to be safe and well.
Helm Scott Blackwood added: "Both the walkers and divers did the right thing in asking for help as soon as they realised there was a problem.
"Island Hill carpark sits between Newtownards and Comber and Rough Island is easily accessible on foot at low tide across a causeway.
"We take this opportunity to remind everyone that this causeway will disappear below the cold waters of Strangford Lough twice every day as the tide comes in, and a short family walk can turn very hostile if you find yourself unprepared and cut off for several hours.
"We would urge anyone who lives, or regularly walks, close to the shore to download a tide times app and check it and the weather before venturing out. Should you find yourself in trouble or see someone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
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