Talks aimed at trying to resolve a dispute which has disrupted the staffing of Newcastle lifeboat station have made no progress.

Fishermen in County Down have expressed concern about their safety following the withdrawal of the inshore lifeboat because of the row at Newcastle lifeboat station.

Nine of the lifeboat's 25 crew and shore team walked out of a meeting with RNLI inspectors on Wednesday and handed in their emergency radio-pagers as the dispute, which has been running for months, came to a head.

And it is understood that at least 15 members of the volunteer team have decided they cannot continue working at the station.

'Drastic action'

On Thursday the inshore lifeboat was not able to operate as there were not enough volunteers. However, the main lifeboat was still operating.

That situation seems set to continue.

Ex-crew member Marty Lenahan: "We got no choice"

In a statement issued on Thursday evening some of the Newcastle lifeboat crew said: "Following last night's meeting we felt the only option open to us was the one we have taken.

"We regret having to take this drastic action, but we have been forced into it by the failure of RNLI management to adequately address the dispute within the station.

"This decision was not taken lightly as many of the crew who walked out have given many years dedicated service to the station, as have their families going back three generations."

The dispute is understood to centre on a dispute between the crews and their coxswain.

The coxswain left the station, but crew members who have resigned said they were opposed to a proposal that he should be reinstated.

Ex-crew member Marty Lenahan said: "They brought us into the meeting and we thought they were going to try to resolve it but they only gave us one option - go back onto the coxswain or there is the door."

Colin Williams: "Sensible discussion is needed"

A two-week investigation had been carried out by RNLI inspectors who felt they had come up with an acceptable way forward.

RNLI inspector Colin Williams said rational discussion was needed.

"The RNLI relies on the public to support its lifeboat station. What we need is sensible discussion to move forward so that this lifeboat station can remain operational."

Future in doubt

Fishermen and other mariners are concerned that if a resolution is not agreed the future of the station could be in jeopardy.

Dick James of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organization stressed the importance of the service to the local fishing community.

"It is worrying because the lifeboat is back up insurance for when something goes wrong," he said.

"That is the only deep sea capacity lifeboat immediately adjacent to our fishing grounds.

"It is strategic as far as we are concerned anything would go wrong that is the boat you would be expecting to come to your aid."

The Newcastle lifeboat helped in the huge search for the missing fishing vessel, the Tullaghmurry Lass, earlier this year.

The boat disappeared on 14 February with the loss of three generations of the Greene family from Kilkeel in County Down.

The Newcastle station is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom and Ireland.