RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

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…

File image of Kilkeel RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Kilkeel Lifeboat Launches to Fishing Boat with Fouled Propeller on Carlingford Lough

24th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilkeel RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat to the aid of two fishermen stranded in Carlingford Lough on Saturday (22 May). The fishermen had been lifting creels just off Cranfield Point on the Northern Ireland side when the 25ft boat’s propeller…

Aran Islands RNLI to the rescue - a 2.5m sea swell and poor visibility due to the heavy rain added to the difficulty of the Medical Evacuation mission

Aran Islands RNLI in Early Hours Call Out to Medically Evacuate Three People from Inis Mór

24th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteers from Aran Islands RNLI had a call out in the early hours of this morning (Monday 24 May) to medically evacuate three people involved in an accident from Inis Mór. The crew were requested to launch their all-weather Severn…

The scene on the beach at Newcastle when the RNLI came to the aid of a group of sailors yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23 May) after two Laser dinghies got into difficulty off the South Promenade

Newcastle RNLI Assists Group of Laser Dinghy Sailors in Difficulty in Challenging Seas

24th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Newcastle RNLI in County Down came to the aid of a group of sailors yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23 May) after two vessels got into difficulty off the South Promenade. The inshore D class lifeboat was requested to launch shortly after…

Oban RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat approaches the yacht at Puilladobhrain on Friday afternoon 21 May

Yacht Sparks Launch of Oban Lifeboat in Strong Winds

23rd May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Oban RNLI in Western Scotland launched to the aid of a yacht that has dragged its anchor in strong northerly winds on Friday afternoon (23 May). The 30ft yacht with two people on board had run aground in the popular…

The cruiser had run aground one mile south of Belleisle Estate on Lough Erne

Carrybridge RNLI Assist Grounded Cruiser on Lough Erne

23rd May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

At 5.02 pm on Saturday 22 May, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat at Enniskillen on Lough Erne was launched to a vessel with one person on board which had run aground approxmayelt one mile south of Belleisle Estate. Winds were South…

The 17ft cruiser was found grounded and on inspection the engine of the boat was in need of repair

Lough Ree RNLI Rescues Eight People from Cruisers on the Lake

23rd May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew responded to two separate call-outs coming to the assistance of eight people on two different cruisers on Lough Ree on Saturday 22 May. In the first instance, a boat had become grounded on a…

Larne RNLI's inshore lifeboat and crew set out in darkness

Larne Lifeboat Assists Three People in Two Separate Callouts Within Hours

19th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI’s volunteers launched to the aid of three people in difficulty off the Antrim coast between late Monday evening (17 May) and early Tuesday morning (18 May). Both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats were requested to launch around 11pm…

Clifden RNLI Assists in Rescue of Four Swamped Kayakers off Inishark Island

17th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI assisted in the rescue of four sea kayakers who got into difficulty off Inishark Island on Saturday afternoon (15 May). Both the station’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat under Coxswain John Mullen and the inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat…

Union Hall RNLI's volunteer lifeboat and station crew for the callout on Friday 14 May

Union Hall Lifeboat Assists Seven on Angling Vessel in Difficulty

14th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Union Hall RNLI launched this afternoon (Friday 14 May) to assist an angling vessel with seven people on board that was experiencing mechanical difficulty. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Margaret Bench of Solihull at…

The RNLI lifeboat arriving back to Courtmacsherry at dawn this morning with the four rescued on board

Four Fishermen Rescued from Liferaft as Fishing Boat Goes on Fire Off Old Head of Kinsale

14th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The Courtmacsherry All-Weather Trent Class RNLI Lifeboat was called out this morning Friday at 1.45 am, to go to the immediate aid of a 60-foot fishing vessel that went on fire while fishing 20 miles south-east the Old Head of…

The fishing vessel was taken in tow by Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat. Conditions on-scene were described as a 2-3 metre swell and with Force 5 south-westerly winds

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Assists Stricken Fishing Vessel Close to Mizen Head

11th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI was launched last night (Monday 10 May 2021) just after 9:00 pm to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel that experienced mechanical failure close to Mizen Head in West Cork. Castletownbere lifeboat was tasked by Valentia…

Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has welcomed Stephen Seymour, Ania Skrzypczynska, Ciara Moylen and Richard Nolan as new volunteers to the crew panel

Lough Derg RNLI Welcomes Four Local Volunteers to the Crew

10th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI lifeboat volunteers come from a multiplicity of backgrounds. And though some may have no previous maritime experience before they enrol, this is not an issue as the RNLI provide a comprehensive and rigorous programme that equips trainees to meet…

The fishing vessel and the Coastguard Rescue 117 Helicopter, as the heli crew drop the emergency salvage pumps and winchman on board the trawler in heavy seas. The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat stood by=

Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat in Callout to 75-foot Fishing Vessel in Difficulties off Old Head of Kinsale

9th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The Courtmacsherry All Weather Trent Class RNLI Lifeboat was called out this morning Sunday at 11 am, to go to the aid of a 75-foot fishing vessel that had got into difficulties 27 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale…

The Howth RNLI inshore boat and the rescued inflatable dinghy

Howth RNLI Lifeboat Rescue Four People in an Inflatable Dinghy

9th May 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Howth RNLI in County Dublin rescued four people in an inflatable dinghy who were struggling to make it back to shore against strong winds and tides on Saturday, May 9th. Howth RNLI was requested to launch the inshore lifeboat at 6.50…

Dunmore East RNLI tows home a sailing dinghy

Why Are Lifeboats Orange?

5th May 2021 Tom MacSweeney

I've never given much thought to why lifeboats are orange. It just seemed to me to be the right colour to be seen easily at sea. Now I know that it's also a colour that provides reassurance and relief -…

Start
Prev
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
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