RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Lough Derg RNLI assist a person on a 28ft cruiser with engine failure

Motor Cruiser Engine Failure Prompts Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Call Out

5th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist a person on a 28ft cruiser with engine failure, near Mountshannon on Friday evening. At 5.58 pm, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch. At 6.09 pm, the lifeboat Jean Spier…

Baltimore all-weather lifeboat about to depart the station on the callout to Sherkin Island

Baltimore RNLI Provides a Medical Evacuation from Sherkin Island

4th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation yesterday afternoon from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew, under Coxswain Aidan Bushe, launched their all-weather lifeboat at 4.46 pm, following a request…

File image of Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Portrush Lifeboat Launches to Paddle Boarders In Difficulty Off Ramore Head

3rd June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon (Thursday 3 June) to reports of stand-up paddle boarders in difficulty off Ramore Head. Due to the fact that the crew had already assembled for some training, they were able to launch…

Crosshaven RNLI in Early Morning Call Out to RIB off Cork Harbour

2nd June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat was paged at 2.10 am and launched at 2.30 am this morning to a vessel broken down between Myrtleville and Fountainstown off Cork Harbour. Initially, the position was given as 2 miles East of Myrtleville. The volunteer…

Aran Islands RNLI Mechanic Johnny Mulkerrin Retires After 35 Years

1st June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

After 35 years of dedicated service, Aran Islands RNLI mechanic Johnny Mulkerrin retires today. Johnny is one of Aran Islands RNLI’s longest-serving crew members having first joined the volunteer crew in 1984, as soon as he turned 17. His early…

When the Carrybridge RNLI crew were about to assist the first casualty vessel, a second vessel also temporarily ran aground in the same vicinity of the shallows

Carrybridge RNLI Assists Four People on Two Separate Call Outs

1st June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

At 6.30 pm on Saturday 29 May, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched to a vessel with two people on board, which had run aground approx. 1 mile North East of Tiraroe public jetty. Winds…

With Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat in the background Joe Barry (centre left) presents Niamh McCutcheon (centre right), Chairperson of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee with a cheque for €2,600

Uilleann Piper Joe Barry Donates Book Proceeds to Lough Derg RNLI

1st June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Last Sunday morning members of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising committee and the Lifeboat station welcomed Joe Barry, uilleann piper and writer, to the Station. A long time supporter of the RNLI, Joe presented a cheque for €2,600, proceeds from…

Lough Ree RNLI Rescue Six people & a Dog Over Weekend

31st May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

In two separate incidents, the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew came to the assistance of six people at Gailey Bay and Nuns Island over the weekend. At 6 pm on Saturday (29 May) the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat…

Busy May Bank Holiday for Portrush Lifeboat Volunteers

31st May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI on Northern Ireland’s North Coast launched to two shouts yesterday (Sunday 30 May) in a busy start to the spring bank holiday weekend. The inshore lifeboat was first requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 5.33pm yesterday evening…

Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launches

Portaferry Lifeboat Launches After Person Falls at Ardglass Sea Wall

31st May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of a person who had fallen at Ardglass Harbour, on Northern Ireland’s east coast, early yesterday morning (Sunday 30 May). Pagers sounded for the volunteer lifeboat crew at 6:54am after HM Coastguard requested the…

Kayaking Father And Four-Year-Old Son Thrown into Water by Boat Wake

30th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A family of six had a close call when one of their Kayaks capsized in Cork Harbour. The double kayak capsized after being hit by the wake of a passing vessel throwing the father and his 4-year-old son into the…

Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard unit and RNLI Inshore Lifeboat crew at Killiney Beach

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Assist Person with a Suspected Broken Leg

30th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI volunteer crew of three assisted a person on Saturday evening with a suspected broken leg near Whiterock beach in Killiney. The volunteer lifeboat crew were contacted by the Coast Guard after a request from its…

Vessel on Fire Prompts Launch for Largs Lifeboat in Western Scotland

28th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Pagers sounded for Largs RNLI’s volunteers yesterday afternoon (Thursday 27 May) after reports over VHF radio of a vessel on fire off Inverkip, on the Firth of Clyde in western Scotland. The inshore lifeboat made best speed to the scene…

The RNLI advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags

RNLI & HM Coastguard Launch Beach Safety Campaign as Coastal Visits Expected to Soar this Summer

27th May 2021 Northern Ireland Waters

Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend the RNLI and HM Coastguard are launching a new safety campaign, urging everyone to choose lifeguarded beaches when they visit the coast. With continued uncertainty over foreign holidays and international travel, the RNLI is…

The Chilli Dippers present Larne RNLI with a cheque for over £1,000

Ballygally Open Water Swimmers Caught in Rip Current Raise £1,000 for Larne RNLI

26th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A group of open water swimmers who were rescued after getting caught in a rip current have raised over £1,000 for Larne RNLI. The swimmers were safely recovered to the shore before action was required by the station’s lifeboats in…

File image of Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V

Two Sailors Rescued by Portaferry Lifeboat After Yacht Breaks Down

26th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of two sailors late last night (Tuesday 25 May) after their yacht broke down a mile off the mouth of Strangford Lough. Pagers sounded for the Northern Ireland volunteer lifeboat crew at 11.10pm after…

Start
Prev
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
Next
End

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