On Sunday, the 2nd of June 2024, Tramore RNLI were called into action following reports of a person in difficulty in a small inflatable dinghy off Tramore beach, near the Ladies slip.

The alert was raised by a concerned member of the public who dialled 999 to report the incident.

The RNLI lifeboat, manned by three dedicated volunteer crew members - Dave O’Hanolan (helm), Ronan McConnell, and Conor McCarthy, was swiftly launched at 3:46 pm, a mere five minutes after the initial page at 3:41 pm. Within minutes of setting off, the lifeboat located the casualty, who had drifted nearly three hundred meters from the reported location.

The individual was safely brought aboard the Tramore RNLI lifeboat and returned to the pier, from where they had initially set off over two hours earlier. Following further assessment at the lifeboat station, it was determined that the casualty was fatigued but thankfully uninjured.

Dave O’Hanolan (helm) praised the quick actions of the member of the public who reported the incident and stressed the importance of staying informed about weather conditions, saying, “Unfortunately, the wind had turned and caught the casualty out.”

On Saturday afternoon (1 June), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to locate, assess and escort to safe harbour a vessel that a member of the public reported had made contact with rocks at Ryan’s Point.

Lough Derg’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched at At 13.41pm with helm Owen Cavanagh, crew Joe O’Donoghue and Deirdre Gleeson on board. Conditions had a north-westerly Force 2 to 3 wind and good visibility.

A description of the craft, which was en route to Dromineer Harbour, was passed to the lifeboat, which made a quick sweep of the public harbour but did not see a vessel that fitted the description given.

The lifeboat made way to Ryan’s Point but there was no vessel at that location. The RNLI volunteers spoke to the skipper of a vessel at anchor in the centre of the bay, but they had not seen a vessel in distress.

After returning to the public harbour, the lifeboat crew located a motor boat that fitted the description supplied to Valentia Coast Guard. The vessel had recently passed Ryan’s Point but, according to the skipper, had not made contact with rocks and was not in need of assistance.

The lifeboat reported its findings to Valentia Coast Guard, departed the scene and was back at station at 2.18pm.

Christine O’Malley, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “observe the navigation marks and be aware that there are sudden shallows and rocky shoals close to the shore”.

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch at 2.48pm on Friday afternoon (31 May) to reports of two children on an inflatable toy craft that was blown out to sea off the Strand beach in East Cork.

The Irish Coast Guard’s Waterford-based helicopter Rescue 117 were also in attendance and had located the casualties in the water a mile offshore.

Once on scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the situation and noticed that it was two adults on an inflatable toy that was being blown out to sea due to a strong offshore breeze.

The lifeboat crew helped the two people onboard the lifeboat and they were brought ashore at the front strand, into the care of Youghal Coast Guard who were awaiting their arrival.

While the lifeboat crew making their way back to station, a second request came in from the Irish Coast Guard to reports of a kayaker being blown out to sea off Caliso Bay, some two miles south of Whiting Bay.

The weather had a calm sea state but with a strong offshore breeze. The lifeboat crew located the owner and their kayak and assisted them back to Whiting Bay Beach.

Youghal lifeboat operations manager John Hearne said: “When there is a strong offshore wind, you can quickly find yourself a long way from the shore and it can be extremely difficult to get back and you can quickly find yourself in danger.

“We want to remind the importance to always tell someone if you are entering the water and to carry a means of communication.”

The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat "Val Adnams" was called into action at 5.04 pm on Saturday to assist a 25ft pleasure boat in distress off the Seven Heads coast in West Cork. The pleasure boat had issued a "Mayday" call for help when a fire broke out in its engine room. Under the command of Coxswain Ken Cashman and with a crew of 5, the lifeboat promptly responded to the emergency in favourable sea conditions.

The lifeboat reached the distressed vessel at 5.40 pm and provided necessary assistance. Additionally, the Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Boat "Lady Louise," skippered by Taylor Murphy, a member of the lifeboat crew, stood by to offer support. Fortunately, the crew of the pleasure boat managed to extinguish the fire and shut down the faulty engine. They were able to resume their journey using their second engine, with the lifeboat escorting them past the Old Head of Kinsale.

The Courtmacsherry All Weather RNLI Lifeboat "Val Adnams" returns to the pontoon after the call out

The pleasure boat safely arrived at Kinsale's Marina at 7 pm. Brian O'Dwyer, the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat voluntary Operations Manager, commended the swift response, emphasizing the potential danger of the situation and the importance of the timely "Mayday" call for help. He expressed relief that the incident was resolved without harm.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Crew involved in the rescue included Coxswain Ken Cashman, Mechanic Dave Philips, and crewmembers Peter Nunan, Denis Murphy, Dean Hennessy, and Kieran Boyle. This marked the second callout for the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat in three days.

The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI have issued joint advice to help keep people safe at Ireland’s waterways over this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Water-based activities increase at this time of year, as do the number of incidents in which people get into difficulty.

But everyone can minimise the risks with the following advice for a safe enjoyable bank holiday weekend:

• Check the forecast for your local area, including tide times and sea conditions for coastal activities.
• Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach.
• Water temperatures are still cold. Acclimatise by getting in slowly, swim within your depth and avoid staying in the water for extended periods. Swimmers should be aware of rip currents and if caught in one should swim parallel to shore and then back to land.
• Swim with others — never alone — in recognised, traditionally safe bathing areas. Lifeguarded waterways are listed at watersafety.ie.
• Supervise children at all times near water and never use inflatable toys in open water as currents and breezes can cause persons to be swept out to sea, endangering those onboard or others trying to assist.
• If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly remember Float to Live. The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
• Stranding is a risk when low tides expose areas of the coastline for walkers to explore sandbanks. Watch out for incoming tides, local signage, and always carry a fully charged mobile phone.
• Wear a personal flotation device when paddle boarding, kayaking or boating, or when angling from shore.
• Avoid alcohol as it impairs judgement, balance and coordination — all essential for swimming and boating and avoiding hazards in the water.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or if you suspect that they are in trouble, dial 112 or use Marine VHF Channel 16 and ask for the coastguard.

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out by Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at 11.35am on Thursday morning (30 May) to go to the immediate aid of a 26ft fishing/pleasure boat which had got into difficulties off Clonakilty Bay.

The lifeboat, under coxswain Tadgh McCarthy and a volunteer crew of five, launched quickly and was away from its moorings at 11.45am. Conditions at sea were poor with winds blowing Force 5 and gusts up to 50km reported.

The casualty was located at 12.10pm, some 2km off the Inchydoney Island headland. As the winds were strong and a danger posed by strong running tides, it was decided to take the casualty vessel in tow.

When in calmer waters, two members of the lifeboat crew were put onboard the fishing vessel to assist the skipper.

The lifeboat arrived back to the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry Pier at 2.45pm and the lone skipper was delighted to be in safe territory again.

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s volunteer crew with the all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams | Credit: RNLI/Courtmacsherry

Vincent O’Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI launch authority and lifeboat press officer said: “Thankfully the casualty this morning sought help quickly by contacting Bandon gardaí when he got into difficulties.

“The winds at sea were strong today so it was important to dial 999 or 112 and we encourage people to seek help if they need it and hope that all users of the coastline stay safe on this coming June Bank Holiday weekend with fine weather forecasted.”

The lifeboat crew on Thursday morning’s call-out were coxswain Tadgh McCarthy, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Kieran Boyle, Chris Guy, Dave Philips and Dean Hennessey.

For crew member Chris Guy, who recently received his 30-year Long Service Award, it’s been an eventful month as this time last week he was one of the West Cork lifeboat station’s representatives at the 200th anniversary garden party in Buckingham Palace. Afloat.ie has more on the event HERE.

Lough Derg RNLI’s volunteers were requested to launch on Wednesday evening (29 May) to assist three people on a 26ft cruiser with engine failure and at anchor in Youghal Bay, east of Garrykennedy Harbour.

At 5.34pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Dom Sharkey and crew Eleanor Hooker, Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. Conditions had a north-westerly Force 3 to 4 wind with good visibility.

Within minutes the lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel at the location given. The casualty vessel’s anchor was holding.

An RNLI volunteer boarded the vessel and determined all on board were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets.

Given the location, the deteriorating weather conditions and the casualty vessel’s proximity to the safest close harbour of Garrykennedy, the helm made the decision to take the casualty vessel under an astern tow to the harbour, where it was safely tied alongside shortly after 6pm.

Aoife Kennedy, launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “carry sufficient fuel for your journey, and if you find yourself in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard”.

This was the second launch in as many days for Lough Derg RNLI, whose volunteers answered the call just before 7pm on Tuesday evening (28 May) to assist six people on a 31ft cruiser with engine failure on the western shore of the lough between Williamstown and Drummaan.

Given the isolated location, the hour and that there were seniors and infants on board, the helm made the decision to take the casualty vessel under tow back to Dromineer, where the casualties had their car and a means to get home.

Aoife Kennedy emphasises to boat users to “ensure your vessel is serviced before undertaking a journey. Always check the weather forecast and carry a means of communication.”

A record of the trust which was established to help bereaved families in the lifeboat disaster on Christmas Eve 1895 off Dun Laoghaire has been published digitally by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (dlr) archive services.

The Kingstown Life-Boat Disaster Fund Letter Book has become the first item selected for the new digital series: Miscellany from the dlr Archive Collection.

All 15 crew on the lifeboat died after it capsized while trying to rescue the crew of the Finnish barque SS Palme which was sheltering from a storm in Dublin Bay. The event is commemorated every year on Christmas Eve.

The original book is now “extremely fragile”, the dlr Archive Services say, and making it available digitally brings it to a “much wider audience than is possible in a traditional archive while still preserving the original item”.

Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; Harry Duggan, Harbour Master, Dún Laoghaire Harbour; Ed Totterdell, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager; with RNLI crew members Nathan Burke, Andrew Sykes and James Traynor at rear

Dlr cathaoirleach Denis O'Callaghan said the archive collection is “important for the history of the county, and I welcome this first example of the council extending the reach of our historic records while ensuring the integrity and preservation of the originals”.

“ We are looking forward to adding to the new collection over time," he said.

The new publication is central to the history of lifeboats in Dún Laoghaire and this year is the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.

To mark this, O’Callaghan made a presentation to Eddie Totterdell, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager.

Georgina Sweetnam, dlr Archives described it as “an exciting step forward for dlr Archive Services”.

Kingstown Life-Boat Disaster Trust Letter BookDescription - Following the Lifeboat disaster in Kingstown [now Dún Laoghaire] on Christmas Eve 1895, a financial Trust was established to dispense assistance to the families of the fifteen men who lost their lives. This book contains copies of correspondence from the Trust's secretary to the grant recipients, Trustees and other interested parties. It contains copy letters from 1897-1902. A Descriptive Guide accompanying the work is included

The collection has been deposited with the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI), a facility which provides long-term preservation, access, and discovery for Ireland’s social and cultural data.

DRI provides “stewardship of social and cultural data from a range of organisations including higher education institutions, cultural heritage institutions, Government agencies, local authorities, and community archives.

DRI Director Dr Lisa Griffith also welcomed the development.

She said “this moving collection, which sheds light on the assistance dispensed to the families of the fifteen men who lost their lives on Christmas eve 1895, highlights the profound bravery, experiences of loss and community responses to the shipping disaster”.

You can view the digital archive on the Kingstown Life-Boat Disaster Trust Letter Book – Digital Repository of Ireland (dri.ie) here.

Some of the crew and volunteers of Dún Laoghaire RNLI were acknowledged yesterday for their bravery and commitment in saving lives at sea. Organised by Dún Laoghaire Senator Barry Ward, twelve members of the Dún Laoghaire RNLI were presented with certificates of appreciation by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, in Government Buildings, Dublin.

Remembering the dramatic rescue of a six-year-old girl at the back of the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire last month, Senator Ward welcomed the volunteers to Leinster House and Government Buildings, describing them as “everyday heroes who don’t look for acknowledgement but do deserve to be recognised for the incredible work they do protecting us all.”

Senator Ward said that “we are lucky to have the services of the lifeboat in Dún Laoghaire for over 200 years, even before the establishment of the RNLI, to keep everyone safe in Dublin Bay and beyond. The Dún Laoghaire RNLI commitment to saving lives at sea is present in all weathers, at every hour of the day and every day of the year. The recently publicised rescue of a 6-year-old girl at the back of the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire on 7 April is just one example of the courage and effectiveness of our lifeboat volunteers.”

Dún Laoghaire RNLI with An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD and Senator Barry Ward in Government Buildings, Dublin

Presenting the volunteers with a certificate of appreciation, Taoiseach Simon Harris TD thanked Dún Laoghaire RNLI for the work they do every day, “saving people’s lives at sea and serving their community”, describing them as “the brave and committed men and women of Dún Laoghaire RNLI”.

Dún Laoghaire RNLI were presented with certificates of appreciation by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD

It is the second honour for the Dun Laoghaire RNLI this month, with some of the crew travelling to London for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party celebrating 200 years of the Institution.

The members of Dún Laoghaire RNLI present in the Taoiseach’s office in Government Buildings were:

• Nathan Burke, ILB crew on 7 April 2024;
• Cira Doran, crew;
• Gary Hayes, Helm of the ILB on 7 April 2024;
• Laura Jackson, shore crew on 7 April 2024;
• Darina Loakman, Dún Laoghaire RNLI water safety leader;
• Mark McGibney Station Cox;
• Andrew Sykes, ILB crew on 7 April 2024, who entered the water during the rescue of a 6-years old girl;
• Ailbhe Smyth, ILB crew on 7 April 2024;
• Dara Totterdell, Dún Laoghaire RNLI Launch Authority and Training Coordinator;
• Ed Totterdell, Dún Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager.

The 200th anniversary of the RNLI was celebrated in Portaferry on Sunday (26 May) with a cross-community service of thanksgiving held in St Patrick’s Community Centre.

The service hosted by Portaferry RNLI was greatly supported by both the local community and those who had travelled from further afield, and included contributions from religious representatives from Portaferry and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland’s Ards Peninsula.

The audience was entertained by local sea shanty group the Selkies as well as a solo by Father Martin O’Hagan who was accompanied by Zara Quinn.

Speakers and dignitaries on the stage at St Patrick’s Community Centre to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI | Credit: RNLI/Lissa McCully

Among the attendees were the Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton; Mayor Jennifer Gilmour; Jim Shannon MP; Portaferry RNLI operations president John Murray; president of Portaferry RNLI’s fundraising branch Eveleigh Brownlow MBE; and Ards Peninsula Council members.

All at Portaferry RNLI said they wish to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to or joined them to mark such a important milestone in their charity’s history.