#RNLI - The RNLI has posted video to YouTube of the Bangor lifeboat crew's rescue of two canoeists from the water at Belfast Lough last Monday 12 August.

The two paddlers were reported to be suffering from the cold and exhaustion but were taken to safety by the Bangor RNLI volunteers.

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI carried out a search of an area north of Balbriggan on Wednesday night (14 August) after a vessel in the area reported sighting a distress flare.

The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat shortly after 9.30pm with Philip Ferguson as helm and crew members Adam Scott, Stephen Crowley and AJ Hughes on board.

Dublin Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to launch to investigate a report of a distress flare north of Balbriggan Harbour in North Co Dublin. 



The lifeboat proceeded directly to the area indicated by the coastguard and conducted an extensive search. Clogherhead RNLI were also tasked and carried out a search further north, while the Skerries Coast Guard unit carried out a search of the coastline in the area.

Just after 10.30pm, the Dublin Coast Guard declared that they were satisfied that a thorough search had been carried out, and with nothing found all units were stood down to return to base.



Speaking after the call-out, Philip Ferguson said: "Conditions were very good on scene and while it was quite a dark night, visibility was reasonably good which helped our search.

"Our volunteer crew are always ready to launch to any sign that somebody is in difficulty at sea and we are happy that on this occasion no lives were in danger."

#RNLI - Both Wicklow lifeboats were diverted to Brittas Bay last Sunday morning (11 August) while on a routine exercise in the bay.

At 10.57am the Irish Coast Guard tasked the lifeboats to investigate a report of a small motor boat with two people drifting off the beach.

A member of the public had raised the alarm, as they believed the occupants might be in need of assistance.

As the lifeboats were proceeding to the small boat, they were stood down by the coastguard after it was ascertained that the two people were fine and able to return to shore under their own power.


The lifeboats then resumed exercise in the Wicklow bay area.

Speaking after the incident, Wicklow RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said: "This was volunteer crew member Alan Goucher’s first call-out as a helm in charge of the inshore lifeboat and Connie O'Gara’s first call-out on the all-weather lifeboat as a mechanic."

#RNLI - Howth RNLI lifeboat station held an open day last Sunday 11 August, welcoming a great number of locals and visitors who came to see the station, explore the lifeboats and meet the crew.

The children in particular enjoyed meeting Stormy Stan and taking part in fun competitions.

Everyone got the opportunity to get aboard the lifeboats and find out more about the lifesaving work carried out by the volunteer crew members.

The Sea Safety Team was also on hand to give advice about lifejackets and safety precautions at sea. 

Howth RNLI depends on the generous support of the local community to help save lives at sea.

The same weekend as the open day, the volunteer lifeboat crew was involved in three rescues in a single 24-hour period, bringing 11 people to safety. 

#RNLI - Holyhead RNLI volunteers were called to launch two lifeboats at the same time during two different incidents on Anglesey in North Wales yesterday 12 August.

Holyhead RNLI relief lifeboat 17-38 and volunteer crew responded to a Pan Pan (communication of an urgent situation onboard) in the Irish Sea just over three miles north-west of Holyhead.

The vessel, a 15m motor launch with five people on board, had lost all steering. Vessels near by stood until the lifeboat arrived, and the boat was taken under tow to Holyhead Marina.

At the same time, the Holyhead inshore lifeboat was launched to three people struggling in the sea off Penrhos beach area.

When the volunteer crew arrived, the three had made it to land but a child in the group was looking very unwell. The RNLI crew wrapped him up to keep warm until ambulance arrived.

In the meantime, an air ambulance was requested and landed at Stanley Hospital nearby to take the casualty for treatment. Holyhead's local coastguard team were also in attendance.

#RNLI - Youghal RNLI launched yesterday evening (12 August) to a report of a six-meter pleasure craft that was adrift 200m east of Youghal shipping quay in Co Cork.

The lifeboat, helmed by John Griffin Jr with crew members Patsy O’Mahony and Joe Moore on board, launched at at 6.19pm and quickly located the pleasure cruiser, subsequently ascertaining that the boat had suffered engine failure.

There were three people on board; two males and one female. All were wearing lifejackets and were safe and well. The weather at the time was blowing a Force 2-3 north westerly wind with a slight swell.



The volunteer crew established a tow and brought the boat and the three casualties back to its moorings at Ferry Point in Youghal.

#RNLI - Two maritime legends finally met last bank holiday weekend at the Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival when Arklow RNLI lifeboat operations manager Jimmy Tyrell climbed aboard the new Shannon class lifeboat.

Jimmy, and his father before him, lobbied the life-saving charity for many years to call one of their lifeboat classes after an Irish river - and was finally rewarded when the Shannon class lifeboat was put into production last year.

Its arrival at this year’s Gathering of the Fleet in the Wicklow port town was one of the highlights of the event. 

The lifeboat is on a tour of RNLI stations to introduce volunteer lifeboat crews to the new vessel, and Jimmy Tyrell was given a warm welcome onboard and had a full tour of the lifeboat from its RNLI crew.

The Shannon class lifeboat is the first all-weather lifeboat to be powered by twin water jets instead of propellers, making it more manoeuvrable and safer to operate in shallow water. It has a top speed of 25 knots and is due to replace the Mersey class lifeboat.

Just prior to the departure of the new Shannon class lifeboat, named Jock & Annie Slater, Arklow RNLI’s crew made a presentation to Jimmy Tyrell and the boat's coxswain to mark the visit and its importance to everyone at Arklow RNLI.

East Coast FM also broadcast their popular morning radio show with Declan Meehan live from the Arklow RNLI lifeboat station, with special guests Diarmuid Gavin and Shane Byrne joined by Arklow RNLI volunteers to get involved in the fun. 

The lifeboat crew gave their guests a warm welcome, but had taken the precaution of having a fully kitted-out crew on scene in case they received a call-out during the show.

The Gathering of the Fleet, held in aid of the RNLI, played host to vessels of all shapes and sizes over the August bank holiday weekend. 

Commenting on the festival, Arklow RNLI lifeboat press officer Mark Corcoran said: “This weekend was the fruition of months of hard work by the committee. Living on the east coast, the sea is such a big part of everyone’s lives and we wanted to celebrate our proud maritime history and traditions with this Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival. 

"Thanks to all the boat owners near and far and to the many people who have given their time and energy to make this year’s event something special.”

#RNLI - Courtown RNLI was called out on Saturday (10 August) to assist a sailing boat that had run aground on the Bradleys rocks just south of Courtown Harbour in Co Wexford.

The yacht - called Jaws – had been taking part in the weekly club race and had accidentally drifted onto the rocks with three persons on board.

Fellow yacht Yasemin, which had been taking part in the same race, came to assistance and helped tow the yacht off the rocks.

Yasemin then passed the tow over to the Courtown lifeboat, which proceeded to tow Jaws back into harbour.

Courtown Lifeboat was then tasked to assist the yacht Nan, which had suffered engine failure and also required a tow into the harbour.

#rnli – Two maritime legends finally met last bank holiday weekend at the Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival when Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jimmy Tyrell climbed aboard the Shannon class lifeboat. Jimmy and his father before him lobbied the life-saving charity for many years to call one of their lifeboat classes after an Irish river and was finally rewarded when the Shannon class lifeboat was put into production last year.

Its arrival at this year's Arklow Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival was one of the highlights of the event. The lifeboat is on a tour of RNLI stations to introduce volunteer lifeboat crews to the new vessel. Jimmy was given a warm welcome onboard and had a full tour of the lifeboat from its RNLI crew.

The Shannon class lifeboat is the first all weather lifeboat to be powered by twin waterjets instead of propellers, making it more manoeuvrable and safer to operate in shallow water. It has a top speed of 25 knots and is due to replace the Mersey class lifeboat.

The Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival which was held in aid of the RNLI, played host to vessels of all shapes and sizes over the August bank holiday weekend.
Just prior to the departure of the new Shannon Class Lifeboat "RNLB Jock & Annie Slater" Arklow RNLI's crew made a presentation to Jimmy and the boats Coxswain Tommy to mark the visit and its importance to Jimmy and indeed all at Arklow RNLI.

East Coast FM broadcast their popular morning radio show with Declan Meehan live from the Arklow RNLI lifeboat station with special guests Diarmuid Gavin and Shane Byrne and our own volunteers getting involved in the fun. The lifeboat crew gave their guests a warm welcome but had taken the precaution of having a fully kitted out crew on scene in case they received a callout during the show.

Commenting on the festival Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Mark Corcoran said, "This weekend is the fruition of months of hard work by the committee. Living on the east coast, the sea is such a big part of everyone's lives and we wanted to celebrate our proud maritime history and traditions with this Gathering of the Fleet Maritime Festival. Thanks to all the boat owners near and far and to the many people who have given their time and energy to make this year's event something special."

#rnli – Lifeboat crew with Tramore RNLI responded to a callout this afternoon at 1.43pm when a six metre half decker boat capsized with four men onboard halfway between Brownstown Head and Rhinashark off the Waterford coast. One man managed to swim to shore and the remaining three were recovered by the Tramore RNLI inshore lifeboat crew. One of the three was airlifted off the lifeboat by the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 to be taken to hospital.

It is believed the men were in the water for up to a half an hour before they were rescued. There was a moderate swell in the area at the time.

Commenting on the callout Tramore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Derek Musgrave said, "I am relieved that all four men are safe after their boat capsized. They were wearing lifejackets which provided the necessary buoyancy to keep them afloat while they clung to the upturned vessel.