Strangford Lough is the largest sea inlet in the British Isles, and covers an area of 150 km2 (58 sq mi).

Lifeboats based at Newcastle and Cloughey, capable of approximately 10 knots (12 mph), could take several hours to reach an incident.

In 1978, the Cloughey-Portavogie lifeboat Glencoe Glasgow (ON 857) was withdrawn from service, due to development works at Portavogie Harbour, causing even greater concern.

[2][5] A ceremony was held on 9 May 1987, to name the Atlantic 21, Blue Peter V (B-569), and also to formally open the new lifeboat house at Portaferry.

[7][8] Blue Peter V was out on a training exercise on 10 January 2006, when they received a call to the fishing vessel Greenhill, which had sunk suddenly.

Modelled in the shape of an upturned boat, and clad in stone with a copper roof, it was designed to fit in with surrounding buildings, and is estimated to have cost £750,000.

The station was funded through a local appeal, and from the legacy of Ms Elsie Sturgeon, a native of Liverpool, who retired to nearby Killowen.

Ten limited edition commemorative plates were specially designed for the occasion and presented to Blue Peter and the family of Elsie Sturgeon.