A Co Down lifeboat service could close down after more than half its staff quit in a bitter internal dispute, it was claimed today.
Two inspectors from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have travelled from Dublin in a bid to resolve the dispute at Newcastle station.
One of those, Mr Colin Williams, warned unless the situation was resolved urgently the base's future was in serious doubt.
Mr Williams claimed six crew and three shore helpers walked out of a meeting last night without any verbal resignation but leaving behind their pagers.
But up to 16 of the 25 staff are believed to have decided they can no longer continue working there.
Industrial relations at the base have soured in recent months, with the threat of legal action hanging over the base.
PA