#LIFEBOATS - Four children were rescued from a rising tide on Sunday in what was a busy June bank holiday weekend for Ireland's RNLI lifeboats.

The Irish Times reports that a 10-year-old and three teenagers were with their father on Rine Island in Galway Bay, near Ballyvaughan in Co Clare, when they were caught out by the incoming tide.

The father swam to shore and raised the alarm, promoting a quick response from an Irish Coast Guard helicopter and the Galway RNLI lifeboat, who removed the children to safety.

“Both rescue services pulled out all the stops and were on the scene within minutes to divert what could have been a tragedy," said Galway lifeboat operations manager Mike Swan.

The incident occurred not long after the Ballycotton lifeboat was called to assist a vessel taking on water some 23 miles southeast of the Co Cork town.

And elsewhere, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, two racing yachts were led to safety by the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat on Sunday morning after getting into difficulty amid gale-force winds and driving rain on Dublin Bay.

#ISORA – In a change to the earlier results posted Dun Laoghaire's First 36.7 Lula Belle a two hander sailed by Liam Coyne and Brian Flahive won the weekend offshore trophies including the new lynx metmAsts Perpetual Offshore Trophy writes ISORA Commodore Peter Ryan. Revised results and times are avaliable to download at the bottom of this post.

First over the finish line for line honours was "NUI Galway" with "Aquelina" close behind. "English Mick" was third over the line . "Lula Belle" was fourth over the line taking overall, Class 2 and the lynx metmAsts Trophy. "NUI Galway" took secod overall and first in Class 1."Joker 2" took 3rd Overall and 2nd Class 1.

On the Friday evening, in the blistering sunshine in Pwllheli Sailing Club, the lynx metmAsts Pre-Race Reception was well attended. The three new lynx metmAsts trophies were on display – the Perpetual Offshore Trophy, the winners trophy to keep and the trophy for the photographic competition. In attendance and making short speeches was the Commodore of PSC, Phil Ranner and Director of lynx metmAsts, John Rutter. The party continued into the night!!

The forecast for the race was for light to little winds at the start building to moderate NE winds going SE by late Saturday / early Sunday. In view of the forecast the course set by the Sailing Committee was :

Start from PSC Bridge

South Arklow (S)

metmAsts and Turbines on Arklow bank (s)

South India (P)

Finish in Wicklow (in a notherly direction)

Well, the forecast was correct for the 08.00 start. A strong westerly tide pushed fours boats over the start line at the gun. These boats were unable to re-cross the line due to the light winds and strong tide for some time. The remainder of the fleet headed towards St. Tudwal's Islands in the tide and tide generated wind. At Tudwal's, the fleet began to bunch again when whatever winds were around at the start dropped – possible due to the turning of the tide. Two boats went out between the islands, "Aquleina" and "Joker 2". This appeared to pay off.

Punching against the tide towards Bardsey, the fleet again got dispersed, however "Aguelina" and "Joker 2" appeared to hold their advantage. It was not until after 16.00 that the wind started to fill in from a NE direction and built steadly to 18 knots by the time the fleet was approaching South Arklow at approximately 21.00. By the time the first boats had rounded the wind backed to a northerly direction and increase to 20-24 knots.

The leg to South India was a full beat against the now strong south going tide requiring most of the fleet to "rock hop" in the dark along the Arklow coast. At approximately around midnight there was sudden veer in the wind back to NE that sent the beating boats fetching for South India in the increasing winds.

Rounding South India was no "piece of cake" as the N/NE winds had whipped up the seas. The first boat, "NUI Galway", rounded approximately 02.00 and headed for the finish at Wicklow. Conditions in Wicklow were bad with a big swell at the harbour mouth. The main light house was not operating and the outer finish mark was unlit. These with the large swell did not make the run through the finish easy.

First over the finish line for line honours was "NUI Galway" with "Aquelina" close behind. "English Mick" was third over the line . "Lula Belle" was fourth over the line taking overall, Class 2 and the lynx metmAsts Trophy. "NUI Galway" took secod overall and first in Class 1."Joker 2" took 3rd Overall and 2nd Class 1.

We are awaiting the outcome of the lynx metmAsts Photographic Competition. Photographs of the before, during and after the race are acceptable and should be emailed to Koyelia Sirkar this week ( [email protected] )who will select the overall winner. The winner will be announced next weekend.

I would like to thank our sponsors lynx metmAsts for their generous help in providing the Crew Bus, Reception in Pwllheli and the great trophies. I would like to thank PSC for the great hospitality on Friday night and Richard Tudor for providing the start. Wicklow Sailing Club had laid on food and were awaiting our arrival. However the light winds wrecked those arrangements. I would like to thank Sadie Phelan all her help and Wicklow sailing Club for the arrangements – let's hope we get there next year.

Photographer Andy Green from Pwllheli took a great series of photographs at the start of the race. You can view these by clicking here

The next high point in the Offshore Calendar is the Round Ireland. While not in our race schedule, we will be awarding a trophy for the best performance of an ISORA boat to be presented in our Prize-Giving Dinner on the 17th November in the NYC.

The next ISORA race is the Pwllheli Day Race on the 14th July followed by the popular ISORA / RAYC Night Race on the 27th July.

Results are attached for download below.

Additional Race Report from NUI Galway below:

Since the ICRA Nationals, Reflex 38 "NUIGalway" and crew have been kindly hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire in preparation for the Round Ireland. Last Thursday and Friday was a frenzied assault on the job and kit list as we got ready for the ISORA race from Pwelheli (Wales) to Wicklow.

After a bit of a rush, once clear of Dun Laoghaire harbour Friday evening it was a very chilled out affair, with the auto pilot on we motored across a glassy Irish sea. Most of the were crew asleep as we snook into an eerily quiet Pwelheli marina at dawn and tied up. A quick update of the weather forecast and a power nap was had before cracking into boat prep and breakfast in time for an 8am race start...

As the 15 boats filed out of the marina, we took stock opposition; the cool still air onshore was a bad omen as we arrived out to a start line where not a puff was to be seen. The start sequence got under way nonetheless as a 1knot tide pushed boats down towards the line. In a confirmed case of young bull and old bull, we were amongst 6 boats that were over on the start line. Not alone were we over the line but we hadn't a hope of getting back up to it to restart so it was anchor out!! We sat alongside the other misfortunes for 40 minutes biting our nails as we watched the rest of the fleet drift off towards the Bardsey Sound at the South tip of Holyhead. With a whisper of breeze and a waning tide we eventually got away in earnest.

Picking off boats was the name of the game. With the kite up we followed channels of breeze and we did well dodging the first of the tide that was now starting to build against us, to our favour the fleet stayed relatively compressed. By 2pm we were already well through a session of headsail and kite hoists as the wind flicked and spluttered while just breaking out into the Irish Sea. It was clear this wasn't going to be a rapid transit and quips were being made about rationing! Overall we had regained a good position again though most of the fleet were beating us on handicap but at least they were back at the proper side of our stern. Out into the Irish Sea we all spread out, we followed the breeze and let the tide the ebb tide take us south waiting for the new tide take us back north to our rhumb line to the first mark off Arklow.

Later around 10pm as boats reconverged on the mark off Arklow, our position to the north of the rest of the fleet would have been paying dividends as the predicted easterly wind shift was late arriving. The wind had steadily built up to ~17kts while we trucked in on the mark with our asymmetric kite up in rain and low visibility. For the first time in 6 hours we got sight of a boat ahead and to leeward, as we climbed up over them we were disappointed to see it was the J109 "Joker" who we needed to be ahead of on handicap. This was compounded by our struggle to find the South Arklow navigational mark that we were to round, only to see it 400 metres below us, letting Joker slip by us we crawl dead downwind! Other competitors have since reported similar issues with the mark having been recently moved south.

The last 3-4 hours was a misery for the crew on the rail!! The rain now driving, we tacked our way up against the wind and building tide, tiredness creeping and very wet, wishing the new gear we're ordering had arrived for Friday! We peeled to a bigger headsail as the wind died down a bit and shifted east only to build again in time for rounding of a mark 5 miles east of Wicklow. Having passed Joker again on the beat upwind, the last run home downwind with the kite up was exciting stuff for the last 40 minutes. In almost pitch darkness "UP 10!"; "DOWN 5!" was being roared from the nav table below, homing in on an unlit finish line, this interspersed with the odd big bear away to avoid lobster pots. Coming in hot on a leeshore, as soon as we were across the line at 2.47am, we did a "letter-box" drop of the kite and got out of dodge fairly hastily in case we would have a couple of boats down on top of us!

The finish of the race was only part of the saga, as we made our way back to Dun Laoghaire 20 miles north with the engine on and the main up pushing tide the wind speed built. By 6am off Dalkey Island it was gusting over 30kts from the East, in the early light "The Muglins" was awash with white water. While taking a wide berth of the rocks, we were broadside to short steep waves and dodging the occasional pot. After a recce of the entrance to the harbour and a "chicken gybe" around, we came powering in through the entrance. With the 8 crew after 24 hours on the go, cold and wet it took in one last big effort getting the main down and secured on the boom inside the harbour wall. With mooring fields akin to a pinball table we headed into the sheltered pontoon of the Royal Irish Yacht Club. Once alongside, we got changed out of the back of the van in an underground carpark, too early to find a breakfast roll in Dun Laoghaire, we scattered for the nearest hot shower and warm bed/ couch!

Still provisional, but it looks like we placed third overall.

- nuigalwayroundireland2012.com

#RNLI– Ballycotton ifeboat, launched at 12:40 today in response to a call for help from a boat 23 miles south east of Ballycotton. The vessel with four persons on board reported that it was taking water and requested use of a pump. The RNLI lifeboat proceeded to the casualty with a salvage pump to lend assistance. Satisfied that the water intake was under control a tow line was established. The lifeboat proceeded to tow the boat slowly back to Ballycotton. They are due into Ballycotton at approx. 19:30 this evening.

#YACHTRESCUE–Two yachts in difficulty were brought to safety by the RNLI lifeboat stationed at Dun Laoghaire earlier today as gale force winds and driving rain lashed the east coast of Ireland. The incidents occurred at 8am today as the boats were returning from an offshore race on the Irish Sea.

The Irish Coastguard's Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) Dublin received the calls for assistance from the boats and requested that the RNLI All-Weather lifeboat (ALB) at Dun Laoghaire launch to assist the crews that were unable to enter the harbour.

One of the boats had earlier fouled its propeller and was unable to use power for entering harbour and berthing while the other boat that was travelling in its company couldn't start it's engine due to battery problems. A heavy swell driven by near-gale force 7 winds with higher gusts blowing from the East caused a large swell and steep waves on approach to Dun Laoghaire.

The RNLI lifeboat launched with seven volunteer crew and proceeded to sea where visibility was reduced to less than one mile. The first yacht with seven people on board was standing-by half a mile from the harbour entrance while the second was further south off Dalkey. The yacht entered the harbour where the lifeboat took it alongside and towed it to a marina berth.

The operation was repeated 30 minutes later for the second casualty that had five people on board. Both boats were approximately 35 feet in length. Nobody was hurt in either incident and the lifeboat returned to station shortly before 10am.

"The casualties in these incidents were both prepared for offshore conditions but unforeseen circumstances meant they needed the assistance of the lifeboat on this occasion," commented Mark McGibney, RNLI Coxswain at Dun Laoghaire who was in charge of this morning's operation.

#SAFETY– Warmer weather has turned many waterways into a playground for aquatic sports and boating activities. Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life. That's the pressing message of a Bank Holiday campaign from Irish Water Safety, which is urging people to make sure that their lifejackets are in good order for the summer season ahead.

Of great concern is the fact that parents continue to bring children boating without ensuring that all on board wear a lifejacket. Warmer weather is enticing many to enjoy leisure boating activities nationwide and as this is National Water Safety Awareness Week, Irish Water Safety is advising all boat users to study its safe boating alert so that safety comes before complacency when boating.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents, strong tides etc.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Visually Check all lifejackets and buoyancy aids for the following deficiencies:

Ensure CO2 Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user

Check that their lights, if fitted are operating correctly

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices if fitted are fully serviced and in date

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking by inflating the lifejacket overnight

#RNLI – The annual RNLI Ireland awards took place at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, with volunteers and supporters being recognised for their role in raising funds and awareness for the charity that saves lives at sea. Guest of honour was RTE's Bryan Dobson, who spoke of his admiration for the RNLI and handed out awards to forty-five volunteers.

Awardees came from all over Ireland and were recognised for their service to the RNLI through fundraising and support for the lifeboat crews at station level. The ceremony is held annually to honour their commitment and to thank them for their tireless work and dedication to the charity. One special award was given to the community of Inishbofin for years of support for the charity. They beat communities from all over the UK and Ireland to receive the specially commissioned bronzed RNLI Supporter Award.

RNLI Irish Council member Peter Crowley presided over the awards and thanked the volunteers for their continued support. Speaking during the ceremony he said, "This ceremony is about honouring our volunteers. The awards that are being given are a small token of the thanks of the Institution for years of service and support to a charity that has always had at its heart one aim; to save lives at sea. I wish to thank all the awardees for their unfailing support and dedication in continuing to raise funds and to support our volunteer crews."

Guest of honour Bryan Dobson added, "When the worse come to the worst at sea, behind us always stands the men and women of the RNLI. There would be no lifeboats or lifeboat crews without the fundraisers and station volunteers. You all make a difference."

Awardees on the day were from RNLI branches and stations throughout Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Waterford, Wexford, Meath, Kerry, Sligo, Wicklow, Louth, Mayo, Galway and Monaghan.

#RESCUE - Two divers reported missing in Dublin Bay this morning have been rescued by the RNLI lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire.

The pair had been with a group diving off the Muglins Rock, close to Dalkey Island, but did not return to the surface as planned around 11.30am on Sunday 27 May.

The dive-boat coxswain alerted the Irish Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin which requested the RNLI all-eather lifeboat launch to assist.

Also responding were the Naval Service vessel LE Aoife, the Irish Coast Guard's rescue helicopter from Dublin Airport and the Dun Laoghaire coastguard unit.

Some 30 minutes after the initial call, the lifeboat spotted the two casualties together on the surface. The divers had been swept a mile-and-a-half north of the original dive site by the incoming tide.

One of the lifeboat crew entered the water to assist with their equipment and air tanks before both were taken on board the lifeboat and brought to shore. Neither was injured in the incident.

"This incident could easily have been a tragedy," said Stephen Wynne, RNLI lifeboat operations manager at Dun Laoghaire. "Fortunately the correct procedure was followed in raising the alarm early enough."

#RNLI – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was launched to investigate a possible missing person/s after a lakeboat was found adrift towards the northern end of the lake this afternoon.  On the return journey, the lifeboat was diverted to Scarriff Bay to assist a person in difficulty on board a 32ft crusier in Scarriff Bay, at the southwestern end of the lake.

At 15.20hrs on Friday May 18, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, to investigate a possible missing person/s following the discovery of a lakeboat adrift towards the northern end of the lake.  (It is the Dapping Season and there are many fishermen and lakeboats afloat at present.)  At 14.38hrs, the lifeboat was launched with Helm Eleanor Hooker, Peter Clarke and Gerry O'Neill onboard.  Winds were Northerly, Force 2-3, visibility was good.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 16.04hrs and was met by the fisherman who had discovered the boat adtrift.  The crusier Stormy Monday, was near the area, and its skipper, very kindly, offered to remain on standby and assist if required.  The found lakeboat had an engine attached, a full fuel tank and a spare tank of fuel on board, there was no fishing tackle or any signs of ownership. As the lifeboat was commencing a search of the area, they were informed by Valentia Coast Guard, that the owner had been located and that the boat had slipped its moorings.  The lakeboat was driven by an RNLI volunteer to Portumna and returned to its owner.

17.15hrs On its homeward journey, Valentia Coast Guard diverted the RNLI lifeboat to Scarriff Bay, at the southwestern end of the lake, to assist a person in difficulty on board a 32ft cruiser.  The wind had veered northeasterly and was blowing Force 4. Visibility was fair to good, with frequent squally showers.  The lifeboat was alongside the crusier at 17.34hrs.  There was an elderly person onboard and in some distress; his vessel had hit a rock and suffered considerable damage to its propeller. The person was reassured by the lifeboat crew. The boat wasn't holed and with an RNLI crew member onboard, was towed to its home marina up the Scarriff river.  The boat was tied safely alongside at 18.18hrs. The person was met by friends, who were going to look after him for the evening.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 19.15hrs.

#RNLI – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat rescued two people on board a sinking 40ft vessel holed after it hit rocks yesterday.

At 16.44hrs the lifeboat launched following a request by Valentia Coast Guard. The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Lian Knight and Ben Ronayne on board located the vessel inside Bonaveen Point in Cloondavaun Bay, at the northern end of the lake on the Galway shore. Winds were West South West, Force 2-3 with good visibility.

The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter was scrambled from Shannon to go to the scene.  Fergal Kearney, the Lifeboat Deputy Launching Authority was close by and arranged to carry two large bore marine pumps to the vessel.  Marine Engineer Eammon Egan and Kevin Hynes launched from Portumna to assist, as did Mr. Sullivan from Sullivan Marina.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 17.02hrs.  The two persons on board were unharmed but had readied their RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) in case they had to abandon ship.

Once it was established that the two pumps were effectively emptying the vessel of water, the S&R Helicopter circling overhead was stood down by Valentia Coast Guard.  As the crusier was being emptied of water it began to drift into dangerous water.

At 17.25hrs, with the pumps running, an RNLI crew member, two engineers and the two persons onboard, the lifeboat took the cruiser under tow to the Sullivan's Marina close by, where the vessel was lifted out of the water.

The lifeboat returned to Station and was ready for service at again 1t 18.30hrs

#RNLI – An unusual rescue for  Baltimore RNLI lifeboat, the crew launched on Tuesday night to a sheep that was stranded on a ledge close to sea level for two days.

Several attempts had already been made to recover the sheep when the lifeboat crew were asked if they could offer any assistance.  The RNLI inshore lifeboat Bessie was launched with Helm Youen Jacob and lifeboat crew Ronan Callanan and Tadhg Colins, who made their way to Eastern Hole near Baltimore Harbour, to see if they could help in the recovery.  Luckily a break in the weather made it possible for two of the lifeboat crew to climb the rocks and recover the animal.  It was then transferred to the lifeboat and brought on the short journey back to the harbour.

Commenting on the callout, Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Tom Bushe said, "It was certainly not the usual type callout for the lifeboat crew but we were happy to help.  Nobody wants to see any animal in distress and we were also worried that people would themselves get into difficulty trying to recover it.  The crew waited for a break in the bad weather and then went in and scaled the rocks to recover the sheep.  We've rescued many people before but a sheep is a little different."