#rnli – Portaferry RNLI in County Down rescued two men in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 13 July) after a report that a rigid inflatable boat had collided with a yacht in Strangford Lough just off Killyleagh.

The lifeboat crew received a call from Coastguard at 2am following a report that a rib and a yacht had crashed and that both boats were sinking.

Crew launched its inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat with four on board at 2.07am and made their way to the scene half a mile from land.

Weather conditions at the time were described as calm with no wind and with good visibility.

When the crew arrived on the scene they found two men in the rib but no one on board the yacht.

One man had sustained a minor head injury and both were taken by the lifeboat to a slipway at Killyleagh yacht club. The injured man was then taken to hospital by a friend who was waiting at the quay side.

Portaferry lifeboat crew then returned to the scene of the accident and secured both boats to a mooring before returning to base at 3.30am.

Deputy Launching Authority Lennie Lawson said the rescue was a credit to the volunteer crew who responded quickly and in numbers in the early hours of the morning: 'It was amazing how quickly our crew turned out and got to the scene launching within six minutes. Thankfully, weather conditions were favourable which assisted the crew in returning the casualty safely to shore'.

#rnli – Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat were tasked to a collision between two racing yachts, South of Roches Point competing at this afternoon's Cork Week regatta.

The initial information was that one of the yachts was taking on water.

Crosshaven lifeboat quickly launched and headed for the 32' stricken yacht. On arrival, it was clear that no crew on either boat had been injured and that the damage to one yacht, whilst extensive, was above the waterline.

Crosshaven ILB then escorted the damaged yacht back to Crosshaven. Crosshaven Coast Guard and Cork Civil Defence Ribs also attended on scene.

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was launched to assist 3 persons aboard a 32ft cruiser that had an engine overheating problem.

#rnl i– Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to assist 3 persons on board a 32ft crusier that was in danger of grounding on the Goat Road, south of Bellevue Point, after its engine had dangerously overheated.  The skipper of the cruiser switched off his engine to prevent an engine fire.  At 14.08hrs, the lifeboat launched with Helm Colin Knight, Eleanor Hooker and Tom Dunne on board. Winds were northerly, Force 4, and visibility was good.

The skipper of a passing barge, Knocknagow, advised the cruiser to drop anchor to prevent themselves being grounded on the Goat Road and raised the alarm. (The Goat Road is a rocky outcrop for migrating Terns.  It is marked by the navigation mark E.

The cruiser passed a tow line to the barge, who took it under an alongside tow.  When the lifeobat arrived on scene, they found all safe and well.  An RNLI crew member was transferred to the cruiser, who passed the tow to the lifeboat.  The cruiser was towed to Williamstown Harbour.

Lifeboat Helm, Colin Knight praised the skipper of cruiser for his swift action in cutting their engine saying that 'had he not noticed and been attentive to the overheating indicator, they would have been a definite risk of an engine fire on board'.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 15.15

#rnli – One of Crosshaven RNLI's major fundraising events of the year was held on Saturday evening last, with a black tie Dinner at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The event was held in conjunction with the Cork Week regatta which is taking place this week.

On a glorious summer evening, one hundred supporters listened to a very enjoyable and Interesting conversation between afloat's correspondent Tom MacSweeney and the Coxswain of Baltimore lifeboat, Kieran Cotter as well as enjoying an excellent meal provided by Royal Cork Yacht club.

#rnli – At lunchtime today Bangor lifeboat crew received a urgent request from Belfast Coastguard to launch the lifeboat and rescue 3 people onboard a 15ft speed boat. The dory type vessel had experience 'catastrophic' engine failure close to Black Head which is on northern shores of Belfast Lough.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, volunteer crews had launched and Bangor Lifeboat and were proceeding at full speed towards the stricken vessel.

Upon arrival volunteer crew found that the dory had beached on rocks beneath the Lighthouse and the 3 occupants had scrambled safely ashore. A very lucky escape for those onboard.

With weather conditions deteriorating lifeboat crew were able to get a tow line aboard the grounded dory and tow it to the safety of Whitehead Harbour.

When leaving Whitehead Harbour to return to Bangor, lifeboat crew noticed that another 15ft speed boat with 4 people onboard was in difficulty and needing assistance.

A tow line was quickly rigged and she was then taken under tow to the safety of Whitehead Harbour.

RNLI volunteer helmsman Ewan Scott used these rescues to highlight a RNLI safety message when he said. We always urge everyone going afloat to make sure their engine and fuel systems and are well maintained and in good working order. Engine failure close to shore and commercial shipping routes could lead to a life threatening situation'. He added 'We're happy that everyone onboard both vessels are now safely ashore'.

#rnli – Lifeboat crew at Kinsale RNLI saved a man this afternoon (Tuesday 3 July) following reports that a person was seen in difficulty in the water at Castlepark.

The lifeboat was launched at 4.30pm following a request from the Garda and the volunteer crew were on scene minutes later.  On arrival they spotted a man in the water in difficulty and recovered him onto the inshore lifeboat.

The lifeboat proceeded back to the station where the Lifeboat Medical Advisor Dr. Padraig McGillicuddy administered first aid, which was followed by the presence of a first responder.  The man was then transferred to Cork University Hospital by ambulance.

Commenting on the callout Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John O'Gorman said, "The lifeboat crew were on scene quickly and recovered the man from the water.  Due to their training they were able to administer first aid immediately.  He was extremely lucky that he was spotted in difficulty and that help was close by.  He was cold and badly shaken by the incident. In those situations every second counts."

Lifeboat crew on the callout were helm Nicky Searls and crewmembers Richard McKinlay and Ian Fitzgerald.

#rnli – Yesterday afternoon at 17.24hrs, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to assist 15 persons on board a cruiser that had grounded off Kylenoe Point on the northeastern shore of Lough Derg. At 17.35hrs, the lifeboat launched with Helm Eleanor Hooker, Robbie Garland and Owen Cavanagh on board. Winds were westerly, Force 4, and visibility was good.

The skipper of another cruiser, Crescendo, had sight of the casualty vessel and radioed that she would remain nearby. When the lifeboat arrived, all persons were found to be safe and unharmed, but anxious. They were reassured by the lifeboat crew and requested to put on their lifejackets.  An RNLI lifeboat crew member boarded the vessel, which was standing in less than a metre of water. Once it was established that the boat was not holed, it was taken off the rocks and towed into safe water.  Forward and astern drive and steering were checked and found to be undamaged.  The skipper of the cruiser, who had misread the charts, was given further instruction before continuing his onward journey.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again 19.30hrs.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Charles Stanley Smith would like to stress that 'Lough Derg is a wonderful tourist resort with many varied attractions for all'.  However, he advises that as the summer holidays approach, 'all lake users should take simple safety measures: wear a lifejacket, get familiar with lake charts, carry a means of calling for help, check engine and fuel, tell others where you are going and check the weather before your journey. Then, enjoy yourself on the lake'.

#RNLI – The RNLI's 44th lifeboat station in Ireland has officially been put on service and become a declared search and rescue asset on Lough Ree. The new lifeboat station is based at Coosan Point in Athlone, County Westmeath.

The RNLI will operate a B class Atlantic 75 lifeboat from temporary station facilities with the cost of the set-up estimated to be around €150,000. The station's lifeboat Dorothy Mary has come from the existing RNLI relief fleet and was previously on service in Red Bay, County Antrim and Kinsale in Cork. Following a year long trial period the RNLI will then make a decision on establishing a permanent lifeboat station.

Following meetings last year a team of volunteers was selected to operate the station and crew the lifeboat.  There has been an intensive period of training for the volunteer lifeboat crew, which has included months of training on the Lough and visits to the RNLI training college in Poole.

There are currently eighteen volunteer lifeboat crew including six helms.  Their backgrounds range from a bouncer, marine engineer, a fireman, a postman to a printer.  There are also three members of the Herraghty family involved with sisters Oona and Niamh joining their brother Donie on the crew.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Damien Delaney is very proud of the new station, which he and other local people had been active in securing for the area.  He commented, "This is a great day for everyone involved in the setting up of this station. For years the people of the town of Athlone and the surrounding counties of Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon have supported the RNLI with street collections and various fundraising events.  Even though we did not have a station on Lough Ree we knew how important it was to have the lifeboat service in Ireland.

The late Sean Fitzsimmons started things rolling many years ago with myself and Vincent Rafter then taking up the challenge.  We received great support and encouragement from everyone involved with the RNLI at both Swords and Poole. To see this group of young volunteers coming together and training with the lifeboat and now going on service is a very proud day for me."

Representations were made back in 2010 to the RNLI by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland with support from various statutory bodies including the Irish CoastGuard, for a declared search and rescue asset to be present on the lake.

The Lough is approximately eighteen miles long and six miles at its widest point.  It is a popular spot for visitors including anglers, rowers, pleasure cruisers, swimmers and sailors.

Tristan Murphy RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector for Ireland added,  "On behalf of the RNLI I wish everyone involved at the new lifeboat station in Lough Ree every success.  From the initial meeting right through to the start day, the enthusiasm has been overwhelming.  I am delighted that Lough Ree now has its own lifeboat.

I would also like to thank everyone involved in getting the lifeboat station ready for service. Special thanks must also be given to Westmeath County Council who provided the site for the lifeboat station and Lough Ree Yacht Club for allowing us to use their facilities for crew training."

As previously reported on Afloat.ie the station has already had its first callout involving a barge becoming grounded on rocks. One person was assisted and brought to safety.

#RESCUE - Six people were rescued from a cruiser that ran aground in high winds on Lough Derg at the weekend.

The Irish Times reports that the group had been wakeboarding near Youghal Bay on Saturday afternoon when the 37ft boat's propeller fouled on the tow rope.

The crew attempted to free the propeller but the boat began drifting to the rocks in Force 7 gusts.

The Irish Coast Guard were quickly notified and put out a message for assistance to all vessels in the area while Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat responded to the scene, finding the cruiser on the rocks but not seriously damaged.

The boat was subsequently towed to Dromineer Bay. No injuries were reported.

Elsewhere, the Irish Coast Guard was called to assist a man who had been camping on an island bird sanctuary off Co Clare.

According to the Clare Herald, the harbourmaster at Doolin noticed the man camped on Crab Island, some 400 metres from the mainland, amid "extreme" sea conditions.

One of Ireland's worst drowning tragedies occurred in the same area in July 1983, when eight young men - including three brothers - drowned while swimming at Trá Leathan.

It's believed that the man made his way by kayak on Friday evening to the island - designated as a protected area due to the presence of a particular seabird species.

The Doolin coastguard unit made three trips to the island to retrieve the man and his belongings.

#rnli – Ballycotton lifeboat rescued a pleasure craft one mile south east of Capel Island, off the East Cork coast yesterday. The Coastguard received a call for assistance shortly after 1500 and requested the RNLI lifeboat to launch. The 25–foot vessel with five anglers aboard were experiencing mechanical difficulties and were in need of assistance.

Weather conditions in the area were poor at the time with the winds blowing force 5 / 6 and poor visibility. When the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat arrived at 1600 they established a towline and took the vessel under tow to Ballycotton, arriving at 1800. The pleasure craft was safely secured alongside the pier wall.