The Mellifont Shipwreck

The Strangford Lough, which is located in County Down, Northern Ireland, covers an area of about 150 square kilometres. It encompasses an area from Angus Rock at the mouth of the Irish Sea, to the sandflats at the north. It’s not only the largest inlet in Ireland and the wider British Isles but it’s also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and includes about 100 islands, mudflats, sandflats, and rocky shores.

In the town of Portaferry, the ferry terminal takes passengers across the Lough to the town of Strangford. The hourly departures stand as a stark contrast with another ship that lies just beyond the terminal. Nestled among the rocky shoreline stands a shipwreck. The Mellifont, which is an 18 metre shipping vessel has been abandoned at Rua Point, just south of Portaferry, since April 27, 2024.

Before it was shipwrecked, the Mellifont, which was built in 1977, had a colourful past. In July 1999, it rescued the crew of the Renegade. The 90-foot trawler had been the victim of a hit and run incident by a large cargo ship just off Holyhead in the early morning hours. The metal hulled trawler had been struck by the ship’s bell, a six foot underwater projection of the bow. It had sliced into the Renegade’s port side, cutting a large hole about 16 inches across.

Trevor Byrne and the five other crew members struggled to keep the trawler afloat and water soon began to flood into the trawler. Thankfully, the Mellifont, which was being skippered by Gerald Sharkey, was fishing about half a mile away. They came upon the damaged trawler and had the crew board their vessel while they waited for a helicopter. Trevor later recalled: “I really appreciate what Mr. Sharkey and everyone aboard the Mellifont did for the crew and I.” Despite an investigation, the large cargo ship that caused the damage was never identified.

In the two years leading up to its shipwreck on the shores of Portaferry, the Mellifont had been berthed in Carrickfergus. On April 26, 2024, the vessel set sail, destined for Carlingford Lough in northeastern Ireland. Aboard the vessel were three men, who, later that afternoon, anchored the Mellifont north of Killard Point, just outside Ardglass. Leaving the vessel, they boarded a rubber dinghy and made their way to shore. The men then walked to the Cable Bar in Ballyhornan, where they informed the Coastguard and police about the vessel’s anchored position offshore.

Soon after, the Portaferry and Newcastle Coastguard Rescue Teams arrived at the scene, followed by police, who arrested two of the crew members. It was expected that the crew would return to the Mellifont later that night, but before they could do so, fierce winds swept through the area, causing the vessel to drag its anchor. By morning, the Mellifont had drifted into Strangford Lough, ultimately washing ashore at Rua Point.

After the Mellifont was left abandoned, concerns were raised about the potential of pollution in the Strangford Lough because of the 1,000 litres of fuel on board. DUP Alderman Robert Adair said that the Strangford Lough “must be preserved and protected for future generations.” UUP councillor Pete Wray agreed, and said the vessel should be moved to safety.

The Coastguard assessed the situation with the assistance of engineers who boarded the vessel for repairs. They said that the Mellifont did not “pose a significant, long-term” pollution threat, and suggested that the vessel was to be refloated. They announced that contingency plans were in development “to ensure a positive outcome and minimise adverse effects on marine life.”

Despite the plans for the Mellifont to be refloated, it still remains shipwrecked on the rocky banks of the Strangford Lough.