Some crew return in lifeboat dispute

A number of lifeboat crew members in a Co Down seaside town have returned to duty following a bitter internal dispute, it emerged today.

The Newcastle lifeboat has been out of action for more than two weeks after a mass walk-out by staff.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution withdrew its services for safety reasons when 15 staff resigned last month, meaning there were not enough people to man it.

Some volunteers are to take part in a training exercise this weekend after being invited back by the RNLI.

A number of others who have not been invited back have threatened legal action.

Colin Williams, the RNLI’s Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats in Ireland, said he was “very confident” the service could be restored.

“I think we have to stress that we do have a number of personnel who throughout this have steadfastly remained in the station and they just want to get on with getting this lifeboat back on operational serviceability,” he said.

“We want to move ahead and whatever goes on in the background so be it, but we just want to left alone in order to get this lifeboat back in service.”

Lifeboat cover is currently being provided by other stations along the Co Down coast.