At a special ceremony on Saturday 18th September in Bangor Castle the Mayor of North Down, Councillor John Montgomery paid tribute to the volunteer crew, fundraisers and helpers of RNLI Bangor Lifeboat. The Station was then awarded the Council’s highest honour — the Freedom of North Down.

The ceremony was attended by Councillors from North Down Borough Council, volunteer crew, fundraisers and helpers from RNLI Bangor Lifeboat. The Mayor presided over a special meeting at which the Council’s Resolution to confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon Bangor RNLI Station was recorded. The resolution read as follows “That North Down Borough Council confers the Freedom of the Borough on the Bangor Lifeboat Station, Royal National Lifeboat Institution for service to the Borough.” The Operations Manager for Bangor Lifeboat Station, Mr. Kevin Byers, then signed the Register of Freemen and received a sealed and illuminated Deed of Grant from the Council.

Five of the Quay Marinas team at Bangor Marina actively support the lifesaving work of RNLI Bangor Lifeboat. Duty berthing masters, Tommy Burns, Ewan Scott and Peter Scott are considered by all to be the most experienced helmsmen at the station. Ewan and Peter are also mechanics for the lifeboat. Assistant Manager Kevin Baird looks after lifeboat launching and recovery; he is also the station press officer. Andrew Jaggers, Bangor Marina Manager has held many positions within the institution including Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andrew is chairman of the Bangor Lifeboat Management Group. All the Lifeboat volunteers give freely of their time and effort to save life at sea.