Kilkeel has boasted a very active fundraising branch of the RNLI for a long time. Many attempts over the years to have the RNLI establish a Station at the harbour failed. In 1985 Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce set up a fundraising campaign to establish a sea rescue service as Kilkeel was home port to the largest fishing fleet in Ireland at this time. Shipping into Warrenpoint was on the increase as was the recreational use of inshore waters around the coast making the need for a lifeboat service very obvious.
During August 1985 a large "Trade Fair" was organized by the Chamber, facilitated by Newry & Mourne District Council and backed by many large companies. Exhibitors came from far and wide, even some from England. The publicity surrounding the Fair on TV, Radio and in the newspapers eventually attracted the attention of the RNLI Headquarters staff who agreed to come to Kilkeel for a meeting. This meeting and subsequent communications eventually led to the old Coastguard Boathouse at the harbour being turned into a provisional station and the first "D Class" Lifeboat arrived for crew training late in the year. In May 1986 with a crew trained and established the first lifeboat, D308 from the reserve fleet was assigned to Kilkeel and went on station. Within a week the crew had answered their first call!
In 1986 the present station was built and an Atlantic 21 Class boat donated by the Hull family from England in memory of their daughter and fittingly named the "Valerie Hull" went on station manned by a crew who by now had established a reputation as one of the best in the service.
At time of writing the station has undergone extensive modifications, the launching davit has been replaced with a larger one to facilitate the new Atlantic 85 class now on station. The new craft designed and built by the RNLI seats 4 instead of three crew, is much more stable having a greater length and beam and is fitted with the latest in hi-tech gear.
We wish Roy, the crew including the station personnel, the launchers, the helpers and all who give of their time freely to help those in trouble on the sea. Sadly Kilkeel has seen more than its share of tragedy on the seas in the past number of years. The decision to station a lifeboat here was a good one and many a seaman over its short life has been glad to see the men of the Kilkeel lifeboat arrive on scene. Lives have been saved and many helped. As a charity the RNLI depends on your generosity and is a cause worthy of your support
*** Kilkeel Small Boat Fishing Competition *** Watch video CLICK HERE