Among the many awards and honours given on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service bestowed on the voluntary independent rescue service, Lagan Search and Rescue.
The Award aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups which benefit their communities. The Award was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
Lagan Search and Rescue is an independent lifeboat and acute water rescue service that serves the River Lagan, Belfast Harbour and Belfast Lough. The 999-emergency service is run and operated entirely by volunteers from Belfast Harbour Marina.
This year LSAR celebrates ten years serving the City of Belfast and local communities, responding to a wide range of incidents, including the rescue of persons in the water, persons reported missing, medical and casualty evacuations from commercial vessels and the recovery of stricken pleasure craft to incidents of flooding. This emergency response is free of cost 24/7, 365 days a year.
Lagan Search and Rescue
Ian Murdock, Chairman of the Trustees of the organisation, said, “We are truly honoured to receive such an award in recognition of all our volunteers' hard work and dedication, both past and present. Lagan Search and Rescue is currently made up of 35 serving volunteers, on call willing to respond at a moment’s notice any time of day or night and to have this commitment recognised makes us incredibly proud”. He continued, “For anyone to give up their free time to help others in need is truly admirable and to be recognised in such a way is very humbling. It is also a wonderful birthday surprise as we celebrate our 10th year”.
Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, Patrons of Lagan Search and Rescue, said: “Lagan Search and Rescue provides a vital service not only to Belfast Harbour but to the City as a whole, and for that to be recognised in this way is fitting particularly during their 10th anniversary making it even more special. Safety is a priority for Belfast Harbour and working wth partners, such as LSAR to achieve this goal is vital to our success”.
