RNLI trustee and Red Bay lifeboat coxswain Paddy McLaughlin has been presented with the Lifesaving Foundation’s Ireland Medal in recognition of his outstanding work in saving lives from drowning.

The medal was presented by Commodore Micheal Malone, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, during a ceremony held at South-East Technological University in Waterford city, which was attended by major figures in the field of drowning prevention study.

The Ireland Medal is awarded each year to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to saving lives from drowning.

This specially commissioned medal was introduced in 2003 and past awardees include the Naval Service, Professor Michael Tipton and Dr Paddy Morgan. The award was made to an RNLI representative during the charity’s bicentenary year.

Paddy McLaughlin has been a volunteer with the charity since 1981, when he joined his local lifeboat station in Cushendal, Co Antrim in Northern Ireland.

A coxswain on the station’s Trent class lifeboat, he has also served as both a helm and crew on the station’s inshore lifeboats, which have included the D-class, C-class, Atlantic 21, Atlantic 75 and the present-day Atlantic 85.

Paddy became a member of the RNLI’s Ireland Council in 2012 and the RNLI’s Council in 2014. He is currently the deputy chair of the Irish Council and has been a member of the RNLI’s People Committee since 2019. In 2020, Paddy joined the charity’s Board of Trustees.

Commodore Micheal Malone of the Naval Service (front row, second from left) and Paddy McLaughlin (first from right) with other guests and dignitaries at the Lifesaving Foundation’s awards ceremony at SETU recently | Credit: George Goulding/SETU

As an active member of his local community, Paddy is an advocate for partnerships and local enterprise. He was the architect of the RNLI’s hugely successful partnership with the GAA, one of Ireland’s largest sports organisations, which for the last seven years has seen both organisations working alongside each other across Ireland and the UK, with the shared goal of saving lives from drowning.

On receiving his award, Paddy paid tribute to the many people who have volunteered for the charity over the last 200 years and made a plea for organisations to continue to work together to end drowning.

“This award is a huge honour for me and I am humbled to receive it on behalf of the thousands of RNLI volunteers who have given their time, their commitment and their passion, to saving lives and preventing drowning over the last two centuries,” Paddy said.

“Whether through my lifeboat role at my station in Co Antrim on the North Coast of Ireland, as a trustee for the charity or being involved in incredible partnerships, I am grateful to have had so many opportunities to work alongside the best people and to see the difference the charity has made and continues to make in so many people’s lives.

“I hope the RNLI will continue to work through partnerships and engagement with the many groups and organisations who seek to end drowning at home and globally.”

Also attending the ceremony was RNLI’s head of water safety Gareth Morrison, who added: “I have worked with Paddy on many projects for the RNLI, including the GAA partnership, and it is fitting that he has been recognised for his many years of service and outstanding work.

“This prestigious award, which has been given to so many leaders and organisations in the field of drowning prevention, is an acknowledgement of the power of our people to bring about significant change and help others. To receive this award in the charity’s 200th year is a great honour and Paddy is a worthy recipient.”

Applications are now open to become one of the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraisers along the Causeway Coast in Antrim, and in counties Down and Dublin.

This vital role helps the lifesaving charity reach thousands of people every year, sharing safety messages and encouraging new supporters to sign up and donate.

A role within the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraising team offers flexible working in some great locations. Fundraisers receive full, high-quality training and competitive rates of pay while also developing valuable professional and personal skills.

One person who knows very well the impact that funds raised can have is Gill McIlmoyle from Portstewart. A former bank manager, she joined the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraising team in 2021.

“There are a variety of reasons why people choose to work for the charity but for me,” Gill says, “I was at a stage in my life where I wanted to do something that really mattered to me, something that was worthwhile and having grown up alongside the coast, I was always aware of the lifesaving work of the RNLI.

“I enjoy meeting and interacting with different people everyday. You get the opportunity to work in lots of different areas, very often the most beautiful parts of the country and you get to enjoy the outdoors.”

For Gill, a real highlight of the job is when she has the privilege to hear and listen to the personal stories of those who have been touched by the RNLI.

“I have met so many people whose lives have been impacted in different ways by the work of the RNLI,” she says. “The stories I have heard from people I have met along the way are personal — from those who have been rescued or who know someone who has been rescued to those who may have lost a loved one but who are grateful to the RNLI for bringing their loved one home.

“It gives me a great sense of pride and satisfaction to be part of a team which is responsible for successfully raising funds that make a difference in this way. The fact that you know your contribution helps to keep volunteer crews safe and equipped with essential lifesaving kit and training and that it helps to keep lifeboats fuelled and maintained, is rewarding. This is turn helps our crew to continue their work in saving lives at sea.”

The funds raised by Gill and her colleagues are vital in supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving service. The charity, which recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, operates 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland and operates a lifeguard service along the Causeway Coast and in Co Down in Northern Ireland.

Neal Somerville, face-to-face fundraising manager at the RNLI, said: “Our face-to-face fundraiser roles are the perfect fit for anyone who is friendly, energetic and able to talk to anyone. It really is a vital role in supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work, sharing safety advice with thousands of beach visitors every summer, as well as inspiring them to support our lifesavers with a donation.

“This year is a particularly exciting time to be considering becoming part of the RNLI family, as the charity marks two hundred years of saving lives at sea. I’d encourage anyone, no matter what career you are considering, to take up the challenge and apply for a face-to-face fundraising role.”

To apply or find out more, visit rnli.org/FundraiserJobs.

Youghal RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers in East Cork launched twice over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to join the rescue efforts for a boat aground on rocks and a kayaker in difficulty.

Late on Saturday afternoon (4 May) the crew were requested to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to take part in a multi-agency response following reports of two people aboard a 5m pleasure craft with engine failure that ended up on rocks near Goat Island beach in the Youghal Bay area.

Helmed by Jason Ansbro alongside crew members Jason Innes, Joe O’Connor and Ivan Bryan, the lifeboat arrived on scene shortly before 6pm in favourable weather conditions and a falling tide.

Two lifeboat crew members entered the water and swam ashore to the boat, which was high and dry on the rocks. They observed that the two men onboard, who were both wearing lifejackets, were safe and well and did not require any medial assistance.

It was decided that, due to the position of the boat, the casualties should be airlifted to safety by the Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 and handed over to Ardmore Coast Guard, who were waiting close by.

Before leaving the scene, the lifeboat crew secured the casualty boat, which had to be left at the scene.

Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat approaches the casualty kayaker on the rocks, with another kayaker nearby in the shadow of Sampson Crane in Ardmore Bay on Monday 6 May | Credit: RNLI/Mel Mullane

As the long weekend drew to a close on Monday (6 May), the lifeboat was called out at 3.55pm to reports of kayakers in difficulty at Sampson Crane in Ardmore Bay.

The inshore lifeboat, again helmed by Jason Ansbro with crew members Jack Nolan, Jason Innes and John McCarthy, arrived within 10 minutes of launching and one crew member was put into the water to swim to the rocks to assess the casualty, who was standing waiting for assistance.

He did not require any medical attention and was escorted to the lifeboat along with his kayak that had filled with water and capsized.

Weather conditions at the time were fair with a calm sea state and light breeze. Rescue 117 was also in attendance and proceeded to do a sweep of the area to confirm there were no other casualties.

The crew that remained in the lifeboat approached another kayaker who was close by but did not require any assistance. They proceeded to follow the lifeboat to Ardmore Pier where they were handed over to Ardmore Coast Guard awaiting their arrival.

Speaking after the Monday call-out, Youghal RNLI helm Jason Ansbro said: “This was a straightforward shout with a great outcome. With the weather becoming finer it is so important to always have a means of communication within reach at all times.”

Lough Derg RNLI launched on Sunday afternoon (5 May) to assist a family of four on board a 28ft cruiser reported to be on fire.

Following the request by Valentia Coast Guard just before noon, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was under way by 12.16pm with helm Eleanor Hooke and crew Doireann Kennedy, Joe O’Donoghue and Tom Hayes on board. The wind was westerly Force 2 and visibility was very good.

As the lifeboat was launching, the coastguard informed the volunteers that the family — two adults and two infants — had been taken off the casualty vessel and that Killaloe Coast Guard had also launched to assist.

At 12.26am the lifeboat crew could see the casualty vessel just south of Lough Derg Navigation Mark E. The family had transferred onto a 18ft fishing boat which was standing off close by.

A few minutes later the lifeboat came alongside the fishing vessel and found the casualties to be safe, unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

The skipper of the casualty vessel informed the lifeboat crew that when he noticed smoke and an acrid smell coming from the engine housing, he immediately shut down the engine and with that, the smoke ceased. They were unable to deploy their anchor as it required the engine to be running to operate.

Once satisfied that sufficient time had elapsed and the engine had cooled, the RNLI helm permitted the skipper and an RNLI volunteer to board the casualty vessel.

The skipper found that a piece of cloth was in contact with the engine’s exhaust system, and identified it as the source of the smoke and smell. The cloth was removed and the casualty vessel’s engine started immediately when tried.

The lifeboat informed the coastguard of their findings and of the decision to take one adult and the children onto the lifeboat from the fishing vessel, and to accompany the casualty vessel to Dromineer Harbour with the skipper and an RNLI volunteer on board.

However, at 12.45pm the engine on the casualty vessel failed. As Killaloe Coast Guard were now on scene, the RNLI helm requested that the mother and two infants be transferred to the coastguard lifeboat and be taken ahead to Dromineer.

Given the remote location and the inability to secure the cruiser, the helm made the decision to take the casualty vessel under tow to the closest safe harbour in Dromineer, where it was safely tied alongside at 1.44pm.

Christine O’Malley, lifeboat operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises boat users: “As we are now heading into the summer season, remember to have your vessel fully serviced before embarking on your journey. If you find yourself in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Arranmore RNLI’s volunteer crew were roused in the early hours of Sunday morning (28 April) by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a sailor onboard a yacht that lost power 18 miles west of the Co Donegal island.

The initial request came at 2.41am but as the crew were about to board their all-weather lifeboat, they were asked by the coastguard to stand down as it emerged as the yachtsman had managed to raise his sails and was proceeding as planned.

The crew returned home but were called again five hours later to proceed to the same area, as the yacht was failing to make progress.

On reaching the yacht, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation and decided to establish a tow to bring the yacht to safe moorings at Arranmore.

This was the second call for the all-weather lifeboat in five days. On Tuesday evening (23 April) the volunteer crew assisted in a medevac from Arranmore to a waiting ambulance at Burtonport.

Arranmore RNLI coxswain Jimmy Early said: “We are always happy to give assistance where it is needed. The sailor was really grateful for all the help in bringing him to safety.

“We have a really dedicated crew here on Arranmore and they are always prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty. We are, at present, recruiting crew members for the lifeboat and invite anybody interested in joining to come to the station for a look and a chat.”

The crew onboard the lifeboat with Early were mechanic Reamon O’Donnell, Sean Gallagher, Jamie Neeson, Sharon O’Donnell, Finbar Gallagher and John Boyle.

Clifden RNLI’s volunteer crew in western Connemara launched on Thursday evening (25 April) to rescue a sailor from the upturned hull of his sailing boat in Clifden Bay.

At 8.45pm the lifeboat crew were tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard following a call from a member of the public who had observed the sailor in difficulty from the shore.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Joyce King was quickly launched, helmed by Joe Acton with crew Alan Pryce and Shane Conneely. They were assisted by John Brendan Mannion on the shore.

The lifeboat arrived on scene, a short distance out in Clifden Bay, to find the casualty clinging to the hull of his upturned boat. The sailor, who was wearing a life vest, had been in the water for some time and was cold but in good spirits otherwise.

The crew transported the sailor back to shore to warm up and then set about righting the sail boat and towing it back to a safe mooring in the bay.

Speaking about the call-out, Clifden RNLI helm Joe Acton said: “With this current spell of good weather, we expect to see people enjoying water sports and boating activities around our coasts.

“We want everyone to enjoy the water and come home safely. Please always remember to wear a life jacket when out on the water, always carry a mobile phone or VHF radio to call for help in an emergency. Boats should have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which is registered and regularly maintained.

“The volunteer crew at our station are on call 24/7. If you get into difficulty, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Crosshaven RNLI in Cork Harbour came to aid of two people on Wednesday (24 April) after their 30ft yacht got into difficulty.

The yacht’s crew who were on passage from Dublin to Crosshaven alerted the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia of a mechanical problem some five miles south of Roches Point and requested assistance.

The coastguard activated the pagers of the volunteer crew and the inshore lifeboat slipped moorings at 2.50pm with Aidan O’Connor in command, assisted by Clare Morgan, Jeff Lacarda and Maeve Leonard onboard.

The lifeboat made good time in a slight sea and was soon alongside the casualty vessel.

Checks were made of the yacht and its two occupants before it was decided that a tow was essential.

The yacht was brought into the nearest safe port at Crosshaven and safely berthed.

Shore crew for the call-out were Conor Barry, Gary Heslin, Michael Livingstone, Caoimhe Foster, Warren Forbes and Michael McCann. Launch authority was Hugh Tully.

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard on Monday afternoon (22 April) to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide.

The request to launch came shortly before 2pm and volunteer crew Dave Badger, James Rattigan, David Oliver and Olivia Byrne launched the inshore lifeboat and were on the water around 10 minutes later headed to Hare Island, on inner Galway Bay, which is accessible to walkers at low tide.

Conditions at sea were good with good visibility thanks to the current spell of fine weather.

When the crew reached Hare Island, they located the casualty who was safe and well. The crew brought the casualty on board the lifeboat and returned to the lifeboat station at the New Docks.

Lifeboat helm Dave Badger said: “It was a good outcome today. The casualty didn't require any further medical treatment once we returned to the lifeboat station.

“The casualty raised the alarm when they realised that they were cut off by the tide and were unable to get off the island, and that was the right thing to do. If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Badger added: “Walking around coasts is a very safe activity most of the time. Our advice is to always take a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them.”

Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch on Thursday afternoon (18 April) by Valentia Coast Guard to assist two people on a 36ft cruiser reported aground inside Navigation Mark H at Gortmore Point.

The inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched at 1.03pm with helm Eleanor Hooker and crew Steve Smyth, Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was westerly Force 4, gusting Force 5, and visibility was good with frequent squalls.

At 1.15pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel inside Navigation Mark H and 25 feet from shore. The lifeboat stood off to observe the casualty vessel, which appeared to be raised out of the water and pivoting on a central point.

With a volunteer taking soundings at the bow, and using on board electronic charts, the lifeboat navigated a safe passage to the starboard stern side of the casualty vessel. RNLI volunteers noted hazards in the water close by.

An RNLI volunteer boarded the casualty vessel and established that there were actually three people on board, safe and unharmed and all wearing their lifejackets. A fourth person had left the cruiser to swim to shore.

The skipper of the casualty vessel had deployed the anchor in an attempt to prevent further drift towards shore. They informed the lifeboat crew that they had damaged their propellers and suffered engine failure after hitting rocks.

An RNLI volunteer checked under the floorboards and reported back to the lifeboat that there was no ingress of water or visible damage to the hull.

Given that the vessel was high out of the water and appeared to be pivoting on a rock, and hadn’t changed its aspect to weather with the anchor out, the lifeboat helm made the decision to take everyone off the cruiser and onto the lifeboat, having first ensured that the casualty vessel was secure with windows closed and gas supply switched off.

The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard of this decision and the plan to moor up at the nearby Gortmore Harbour, so that two RNLI volunteers could walk back to locate the person who swam to shore. Shore crew back at boathouse informed the cruiser company.

Accompanied by one of the people from the cruiser, two volunteers set out on foot from Gortmore Harbour to search for the fourth of their group.

A member of the public who had offered to drive down the road to assist in the search located the individual and drove him back. With the four reunited, the lifeboat took them to Portumna where their car was located.

The lifeboat departed the scene at 2.39pm and was back at station at 3.03pm.

Aoife Kennedy, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users “to stay with your vessel and if in danger call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard”.

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched on Friday afternoon (19 April) to assist five people aboard an angling charter boat southeast of the Saltee Islands when rope had become entangled in the propeller.

A number of the responding volunteer lifeboat crew left family confirmation celebrations to answer the call.

The all-weather Tamar class relief lifeboat Victor Freeman was requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 1pm and it left the station, under the command of coxswain Trevor Devereux with four crew members on board, arriving on scene at 1.30pm.

Having checked all on board were safe and well, the lifeboat crew decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow.

The lifeboat was soon under way with the casualty vessel to the nearest available harbour at Kilmore Quay, arriving at 2pm. Weather and sea conditions were described as good at the time.

The call-out came as four of the station’s lifeboat crew are currently on passage from Poole in Dorset to Kilmore Quay, bringing home the station’s permanent lifeboat Killarney which has recently undergone a major overhaul.

With a total of nine lifeboat crew from the Kilmore Quay crew active on lifeboats today, the station is renewing its call for interested people to consider becoming a volunteer at Kilmore Quay RNLI.

Speaking on the call-out, Kilmore Quay lifeboat operations manager John Grace said: “It was great to see all on board wearing lifejackets and having followed the correct procedures when they got snagged. Stray ropes or nets floating in the water can be a hazard to any vessel in this way.”

Grace went on to praise the lifeboat crew and encourage those interested to find out more about becoming a volunteer with the lifeboat station.

“We are lucky to have a dedicated volunteer crew here in Kilmore Quay to respond to call-outs,” he said. “Today some left a family occasion to go and help others in need. It’s a selflessness and community spirit that we have here in our volunteers, and we’d welcome more people through the door to carry out this important work.

“Anyone interested is welcome to come and talk to us and training is given. There is so much to get out of volunteering for the RNLI.”

The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call-out were coxswain Trevor Devereux, mechanic Declan Roche, Adam Kelly, Robbie Connolly and Jack Devereux.