RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Castletownbere RNLI Launch to Yacht That Broke Mooring

21st August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI were launched this morning (Friday 21st August 2020) at 09:03 to assist a yacht which had broken away from its moorings off the Bere Island in West Cork. The yacht was spotted drifting in the channel between Bere…

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Launches To Lone Surfer Ahead Of Storm Ellen

20th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI volunteers launched last night just hours before the arrival of Storm Ellen to reports of a lone surfer heading out to sea in the fading light. The inshore lifeboat was joined by the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard…

File image of Youghal RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Youghal Lifeboat Launches To Swimmers In Difficulty

19th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged yesterday evening (Tuesday 18 August) to reports of a swimmer in difficulty around half a mile off shore at the East Cork town’s Front Strand. As they launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in…

The fishing boat towed by Donaghdee RNLI

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Tow Broken Down Fishing Boat to Safety

18th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The all-weather RNLI lifeboat from Donaghadee on the North Down coast launched at 3 am this morning (Tuesday18th) to the Belfast Coastguard's request to assist a 15m fishing boat with one person onboard. The boat, which was on passage from…

File image of Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Portrush Lifeboat Launches To Reports Of Missing Divers At Rathlin Island

17th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched late yesterday afternoon (Sunday 16 August) to reports of two missing divers just off Rathlin Island. The divers were part of an organised party with a diving school, and the dive leader immediately raised the…

Clifden RNLI Launch All-Weather Lifeboat to go to the Aid of Child with a Suspected Broken Leg on Inishbofin

17th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was tasked by the Coast Guard last weekend (Saturday 15 August) to assist with the medical evacuation of a 10-year old girl with a suspected broken leg, on Inishbofin. The calm conditions made for a gentle…

File image of Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Youghal Lifeboat Launches To Kayaking Siblings In Difficulty

16th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged Friday evening (14 August) to reports of two kayakers in difficulty — with one thought to be in the water on the northern side of Capel Island. On arrival, the inshore lifeboat confirmed that…

Baltimore inshore lifeboat tows the yacht into harbour

Baltimore RNLI Assists Yacht In Difficulty Off Baltimore Harbour

15th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out earlier this morning (Saturday, 15 August) to provide assistance to a yacht in difficulty off Baltimore Harbour in West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 8.05 am, following a request from…

The female casualty is transported to Rescue 118 following a fall at Mullaghmore Head

Woman Rescued After Fall From Cliff At Mullaghmore Head

14th August 2020 Rescue

A woman rescued after falling from a cliff at Mullaghmore Head yesterday afternoon (Thursday 13 August) was “very lucky that she was spotted”. The casualty was found unconscious at the bottom of the cliff on the Co Sligo headland by…

File image of Fenit RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Busy Week Of Callouts Off Kerry Coast For Fenit Lifeboat

14th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

In the latest of a busy week of callouts, Fenit RNLI’s volunteer crew launched last night (Thursday 13 August) to reports of unidentified items near the coast off Ballyheigue Beach. Both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats launched with full crews at…

The lifeboat attempted to take the casualty vessel astern off the rocky shelf. However, it was stuck fast on the rocks

Lough Derg RNLI Assist Eight People on Cruiser Aground

14th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

At 9.28 pm last night, Thursday, August 13, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to go to the assistance of 8 adults on a 45ft cruiser aground by Ryan’s Point, inside the Mountaineer Bouy at Barrack Bay. At 9.42…

Galway lifeboat assisted in the search for the two paddleboarders

Fishermen Rescue Paddle Boarders Who Spent 15 Hours at Sea

13th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Following a major search and rescue operation on Galway Bay overnight and this morning (13 August 2020), two women have been found safe and well off Inis Oir after spending 15 hours out at sea. Former Galway RNLI lifeboat crew…

The all-weather lifeboat towed the yacht safely back to shore

Clifden RNLI Rescues Sailor on 36ft Yacht In Difficulty off Connemara Coast

12th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI has rescued a sailor who got into difficulty on a 36ft yacht this afternoon. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch at 3.20 pm by the Irish Coast Guard following a report that a yacht was in difficulty…

Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat Provides Medical Evacuation From Sherkin Island

11th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation this afternoon from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew, under Coxswain Kieran Cotter, launched their all-weather lifeboat at 3.06 pm, following a request…

A stricken yacht was taken in tow to Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Both Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboats Launched This Afternoon in Two Separate Incidents

11th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched both their lifeboat’s this afternoon (Tuesday 11 August) at the request of the Irish Coast Guard assisting two vessels in two separate incidents. At 12:55 pm today, the all-weather lifeboat was launched under Coxswain Mark McGibney…

Medevac For Youghal Lifeboat After Woman Slips On Rocks Below Lighthouse

11th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

A woman was evacuated for medical attention by Youghal RNLI yesterday evening (Monday 10 August) after she slipped and fell on rocks below the East Cork harbour’s lighthouse. The volunteer lifeboat launched at 5.07pm in perfect sea conditions and on…

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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