Meet the search dogs and rescue volunteers helping to save lives in Northern Ireland.
K9 Search and Rescue NI team started in October 2017 with Bangor man Ryan Gray and his dog Max.
It has now grown to include 15 volunteers with nine dogs who conduct searches for vulnerable missing people at the request of HM Coastguard and families.
Team leader Ryan said 2020 had been a busy and difficult year for the volunteers who drop everything to assist with search and rescue operations.
“It has been really difficult, a really challenging year,” said Ryan, who works for HM Coastguard.
“We had hoped to have a lot more done this year, we had wanted a van on the road as a support vehicle but it has been impossible to get support for funding, we really rely on the public dipping their hand in their pocket and helping us and they do which is amazing.
“We are hoping for a better year this year, we desperately need funding.”
In 2020, the team responded to 32 call outs, some of which lasted a number of days. Within those searches, and routine operations, one person was located safe and two bodies were recovered by the team and parter agencies.
The group has received support from a number of local businesses, with one providing a space in Belfast Harbour for their search boat which has been named in memory of 15-year-old John Paul Smyth whose body the team helped locate last January.
“JP Smyth was a 15-year-old young man full of life,” said Ryan.
“This time last year he was getting set to see it in with family and friends. Tragically before he could, JP was involved in an accident at Warrenpoint Pier. JP was reported missing, and a large search took place.
“On the 4th of January, our team was tasked to search for JP using our specialist Search Dogs. Search Dog Max located JP a short time later, and his body was recovered by our team, Coastguards and local divers.
“We have been humbled to have been given permission from JP’s family to name our new search boat in loving memory of him.”
Ryan said he had high hopes for the future and a lot of lost time to make up for in 2021.
“2021 will see new dogs qualify to the highest standards bringing a massive benefit to Search and Rescue, not just across Northern Ireland, but Ireland as a whole,” he said.
“There are no borders in Search and Rescue.”
At the moment the team has two dogs qualified in air-scenting and four in training, and there are three Victim Recovery Dogs in training.
Ryan said his group were the only operational team in Northern Ireland not to receive government funding and added that it was a stretch for his volunteers.
(Image: Backyard Photo Company)
“There’s only so long we can ask volunteers to dip into their pockets without getting proper funding,” he said.
“It is members of the public who keep us going.
“We are all volunteers trained to the highest standard.”
But Ryan added that the work they do can take its toll on volunteers due to the emotional nature of search and rescue.
“I think people think because we wear a uniform we do not have feelings and can carry on,” he said.
“It drains you emotionally massively.”
Ryan also paid tribute to the families of volunteers who support the men and women who drop everything to help with searches.
To find out how you can support K9 Search and Rescue NI, click here.
You can watch a previous Belfast Live video with Ryan and search dog Max below:
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-- to www.belfastlive.co.uk
