Row affects Down lifeboat service

Senior management of the RNLI have withdrawn the inshore lifeboat service from the Newcastle, Co Down, station due to an internal dispute between the Station Coxswain and crew members.

The Divisional Inspector of the RNLI in Ireland, Colin Williams, said the main all-weather lifeboat would continue to operate, despite reduced crew numbers at the station.

For the past two days senior RNLI management have been trying to resolve the internal dispute at the Newcastle station which operates both an inshore and larger all-weather lifeboat.

Some crew members demanded the dismissal of the Coxswain who offered to resign to enable an investigation to proceed. A staff Coxswain from the RNLI's HQ has been installed.

Colin Williams said last night that attempts to resolve the row had failed and he confirmed that a number of crew members had left, reducing the numbers available for rescue operations.

As a result the inshore lifeboat at Newcastle has now been withdrawn, but the larger all-weather lifeboat will remain in service.

Further attempts are expected to resolve the dispute.