Drifting dinghy ON THE EVENING of Monday June 29, 1981, John McAllister was working at Garron Point, east of Red Bay lifeboat station, when he saw people waving in a small dinghy off the point. He telephoned the station's deputy launching authority at 1905 and five minutes later Red Bay's D class inflatable lifeboat launched on service; she was manned by Helmsman Donal McAlister and Crew Member Tom McLaughlin. There was a gentle to moderate breeze blowing from the north west and the sea was choppy.

It was about two and a half hours before high water.

On reaching the search area, no sign could be found of the casualty, so the lifeboat rendezvoused with Mr McAllister at Garron Point. He told the crew where the dinghy had been when he lastsaw her and the lifeboat continued her search in the area he indicated. At 1940 the dinghy, an 8ft boat with a small outboard engine, was found three miles north east of Glenarm Head. Three children and a man were transferred to the lifeboat and the dinghy taken in tow back to the station slipway. By 2030 the lifeboat was rehoused and once again ready for service.

For his help with this service a letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, the director of the Institution, was sent to John McAllister..