Lifeboats Record Increase in Summer Launches

25th September 2009

Preliminary figures* for summer 2009, issued today (Friday 25 Sept) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), show the charity's lifeboats had one of their busiest summer holiday seasons. The figures show a 12 per cent increase in Irish lifeboat launches when compared to the same time last year.

RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 424 times during June, July and August (compared with 379 in 2008) indicating demand for lifesaving services by holidaymakers and day trippers remains on an upward trend.

The busiest Irish lifeboat station was Bangor in Northern Ireland, launching 31 times during the summer, followed by Dun Laoghaire with 25 recorded launches. Arranmore lifeboat in County Donegal and the Aran Islands lifeboat in Galway both launched 21 times each. This was followed by Portrush lifeboats in County Antrim with 19 launches and Dublin lifeboat station Howth with 18 calls for assistance.

Commenting on the figures RNLI Training Divisional Inspector Owen Medland said, 'This increase in summer lifeboat launches shows a strong need for continued sea safety messages to all water users and also that the demand on our volunteer lifeboat crews remains high all year round. The busiest lifeboat crews this Summer were from all around Ireland and included popular tourist destinations. We never know when the next call for assistance will come from but we do know that our lifeboat crews will be ready.'

RNLI Operations Director, Michael Vlasto, added: 'We have seen an increase in demand for our services this summer. This may be due to the many more people who holidayed at home this year. There is a greater range of water-based activities and access to relatively cheap or pre-owned equipment, so more people are now using the sea for leisure. While the majority enjoy their watersports without getting into trouble, some end up needing the help of the RNLI's lifeboat volunteers, so it's really important that this group of sea users supports us.'

As a charity, the RNLI relies totally on the generosity of the public to fund its services. It costs •1,530 per year to train a crew member. The RNLI offers free all-year-round safety advice for sea users and beach visitors at www.rnli.ie.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

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