#RNLI - Clogherhead RNLI has looked back on 2016 and paid tribute to all those who made it such a memorable year for the lifeboat station and its volunteers.

Throughout the year the station worked with other community groups and organisations to promote their work and the Co Louth coastal village, resulting in a busy calendar of events and successful partnerships.

But it was also an eventful year on the water, with lives saved — and sadly lost, too.

Back in March the lifeboat was launched to reports of a distress signal from a fishing vessel located 25 miles east of Clogherhead, recovering its liferaft and beacon after the coastguard winched its three fishing crew to safety.

Later that month, RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from across Ireland took part in the Easter 1916 centenary commemoration which saw over 700 members of the Irish emergency services taking part in the biggest parade in the history of the state.

Fifty RNLI volunteers came from 29 lifeboat stations around the country to parade through Dublin city centre to mark the centenary. The RNLI formed part of the emergency services section of the parade which recognised the ‘blue light’ agencies serving the Irish State since its foundation.

Representing Clogherhead RNLI was volunteer shore crew member Carolyn Stanley — granddaughter of Joe Stanley, Pádraig Pearse’s press agent and printer.

During the Easter Rising, Pearse relied on Stanley to convert his handwritten communiques into printed documents for onward circulation throughout the city. It was Stanley who published the first documents of the newly proclaimed republic.

In June, four Louth volunteers were honoured at the annual RNLI Awards, held in the Guinness Storehouse, for their contribution to the charity.

Brendan Hoey received a Bar to Gold Badge for his 30 years of volunteering, while Anne Levins, Terry Rath and Deirdre Delaney received Gold Badges for their outstanding contribution to volunteering.

Between them, these volunteers have given thousands of hours to the RNLI, working hard to raise awareness and funds for the work of the charity in Clogherhead.

In July, Clogherhead RNLI threw open its doors to welcome the community in for their annual open day, which enjoyed a record-breaking attendance.

Another highlight of the year was Clogherhead RNLI’s involvement in the Pride of Place competition along with many other community groups and speakers.

The ‘Community Oscars’ saw Clogherhead top the prestigious Island and Coastal Community category. The station was proud to be part of the submission and spoke about their work and involvement in the community highlighting their history and life-saving work.

The summer also saw the Drogheda Maritime Festival take place, and the Clogherhead volunteers brought their all-weather lifeboat down to the quayside.

They also welcomed some VIPs from Belarus, regular visitors to Ireland with the Chernobyl Children’s Charity, to their stand and onboard the lifeboat for a personal tour.

Each year Clogherheard RNLI station mechanic Padraig Rath helps the charity organise the St Stephen’s Day Swim on Clogherhead beach, which last year raised €6,000 for a building project to rehouse children living in institutions.

Sadly the year was not without tragedy, when local man and diver Craig Byrne lost his life in September. The whole village was in mourning, and Craig is remembered with great affection. The thoughts and sympathies of everyone with Clogherhead RNLI are with his family and loved ones.

As the year draws to a close and a new one beckons, Clogherhead RNLI found themselves rescuing Santa Claus and landed him on the beach to be met by local school children.

This followed the popular ‘Polar Plunge’ which was held for Special Olympics on Clogherhead beach and where the lifeboat station was operations hub on the day.

The team will once again round out the year supporting the Chernobyl Swim on St Stephen’s Day. This will be the 16th annual swim and funds raised will assist with the treatment of Chernobyl heart syndrome — a life-threatening condition affecting 6,000 children each year.

#RNLI - A special wreath will be laid to commemorate the loss of Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitríona Lucas during Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s annual Christmas Eve ceremony to remember all those who lost their lives at sea in the past year.

The annual commemoration marks the anniversary of the 15 volunteer lifeboat crew members from Dun Laoghaire RNLI who died during a rescue on Christmas Eve in 1895.

The short ceremony is held at the lighthouse at the end of the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire at midday on Christmas Eve. The service includes music, an ecumenical blessing, a reading of a newspaper account printed at the time of the 1895 tragedy, and concludes with a guard of honour for the wreath-bearers as they proceed to sea on the lifeboats to lay the tributes.

The ceremony will last about 20 minutes with upwards of 200 people, including families, expected to walk the pier to join the ceremony at noon.

In previous years, two wreaths have been laid at sea but this year a third will be added in memory of Caitríona Lucas of the Irish Coast Guard unit at Doolin, who died during a search operation on 12 September this year.

A guard of honour will be provided by the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit and Civil Defence volunteers, while the Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboats will carry the wreaths to sea a short distance from the pier.

“This is an especially poignant time of year for many people who have lost loved ones at sea but 2016 will be particularly remembered by all of us involved in rescue services around Ireland,” said Stephen Wynne, lifeboat operations manager with Dun Laoghaire RNLI.

“Caitríona symbolises the commitment we all share for helping others in need; she will not be forgotten.”

Local musician William Byrne will perform a ballad marking the 1895 tragedy, while journalist Fergal Keane will read a newspaper account from that era followed by an ecumenical blessing.

Dublin Fire Brigade piper Paul McNally will play a lament at the East Pier saluting station at the end of the ceremony that has been kindly facilitated by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.

One of the attendees will be Cormac Becton, great grandson of Edward Murphy, a volunteer lifeboat man who lost his life during the rescue of the Palme in 1895.

“For many years as a young child Christmas Eve meant the nativity until I heard the story of my great Grandfather,” said Becton. “Now when I hear winter gales I think of him and the brave lifeboat crew as they rowed out of the harbour.

“The site of the ceremony on Christmas Eve is so close to where they died it isn't hard to imagine the scene and the challenge they faced.’

Due to forecasts of strong winds at the weekend, contingency plans are in place to ensure the ceremony proceeds safely. This may mean the ceremony will be moved closer to the lifeboat station. Attendees will be advised with stewards in place.

#RNLI - Aidan Cooney, a presenter on TV3’s Ireland AM, took part in a ‘trolley dash’ around SuperValu Sutton this past Tuesday (20 Dec 2016) in an effort to raise much-needed funds for Howth RNLI.

As a result, SuperValu Sutton donated a cheque for over €1,600 to the local lifeboat station.

“I’ve nothing but admiration for the staff and volunteers of the RNLI,” said Cooney. “The lads at Howth and every other station provide a 24-hour search and rescue service 365 days a year.

“It was a no-brainer to donate the Trolley Dash to the lads and it was great fun chasing up and down the aisles of SuperValu Sutton.

“Big thanks to Neville and his staff who kindly exchanged the groceries for a hard cash donation to what is a vital service manned by volunteers.”

Rose Michael, Howth RNLI fundraising chair, thanked Cooney for taking time out of his busy schedule, and expressed “admiration for his speed around the aisles”. 

Michael added: “We have been so lucky to have such incredible support from SuperValu Sutton as their Charity of the Year 2016. They have been unstinting in their efforts to raise funds for Howth RNLI and I’d like to thank them for today’s generous donation.”

Just a few days previously, Howth RNLI received a cheque for €5,525 from the Lough Lene Angling Association, raised as a result of the club’s annual charity fly-fishing competition organised by the Midlands Angling Club.

“Every year we hold a fly-fishing competition and raise money for charity,” said Tommy Fagan, chair of the Lough Lene Angling Association. “We’ve raised over €30,000 over the last eight or nine years. 

“The Howth RNLI Community Safety Team carried out a life jacket clinic with us earlier this year, so it was decided that Howth RNLI would be the competition’s Charity of the Year 2016.”

Howth RNLI’s community safety officer said the money raised “will help to fund our Respect the Water safety campaign, and the running of lifejacket clinics with angling and water sports clubs.

 “It will also go towards the cost of training and kitting out Howth RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew so they are ready to save lives at sea when their pagers sound.”

I am lucky enough to have good friends in the lifeboat service. Over the years I have met great Coxswains and their crews, enjoying their friendship and admiring with deep respect what they do – marvelling at the rescues they have carried out.

I remember too the onshore supporters, at the stations and in fundraising and the times when rockets were set off before the pagers alerted crews.. and of the changes amongst the structures of crews themselves as men and women without a family seafaring tradition joined the RNLI.

There was a time, passing Courtmacsherry on the South Coast when the wind had died and on my Sigma 33 we were depending on the engine for power and it wasn’t going as well as it should… requiring attention which wasn’t pleasant as I had to do it below decks in a rolling seaway….. Sanctuary was reached in Glandore and, retelling my story later the lads in Courtmac said they would have been glad to come out and help – and pleased to tow the Marine Correspondent ashore….!!! Glad I avoided that embarrassment….I have a new engine since….!!!!

One of my good friends is Coxswain Kieran Cotter in Baltimore, West Cork, who has urged me to remind all RNLI supporters that they must “opt-in” as a lifeboat supporter before the end of the month so that the RNLI can continue to make contact with them from next month onwards…...

It’s part of the new approach for charities in communicating with supporters as they aspire to best practice.

A letter has been sent out to supporters, so do respond to it positively and show your continued support for the RNLI. If you don’t, the RNLI won’t be able to contact you in future. You can do it online at rnli.org/savelives or contact their Supporter Care Team…

#RNLI - Volunteers from Red Bay RNLI in Co Antrim joined in the ongoing search for a missing woman yesterday (Sunday 18 December).

The all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Paddy McLaughlin and with six crew members onboard, launched at 11.30am and continued searching until 6pm yeserday evening.

The lifeboat started its search in the area of Ballintoy before moving south to Torr Head. Coastguard units meanwhile searched the shoreline.

Weather conditions were favourable with a cold but moderate sea and good visibility.

“We searched in good conditions for most of today but unfortunately we didn’t find anything,” said McLaughlin.

“Our thoughts remain with the lady’s family during an ongoing search.”

Elsewhere, the volunteer lifeboat crew at Larne RNLI responded to a launch request from the UK Coastguard yesterday morning.

The initial alarm was raised by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing a person signalling to shore from a fishing vessel around 1.5 nautical miles off Glenarm.

Larne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 10.45am and quickly made its way to Glenarm. The lifeboat crew made radio contact with a fishing vessel in the area who confirmed they did not require any assistance.

The surrounding area was searched to ensure there were no other vessels nearby. The lifeboat was returned to Larne after it was established as a false alarm with good intent.

Speaking following the callout, Larne RNLI coxswain Frank Healy said: “We thank this vigilant member of the public who called the coastguard out of genuine concern.

“We would urge anyone who is concerned that someone is in distress along our coast to always ring 999 and ask for the coastguard. We would always rather launch to a false alarm with good intent than not launch at all.”

Larne RNLI will host its annual icebreaker swim at 12 noon on New Year’s Eve at Ballygally Beach.

The lifeboat station is asking people to 'Get freezin' for a reason' this New Year’s Eve, with all money raised going to the RNLI to help save lives at sea.

Anyone interested in taking part can obtain a sponsor form by contacting 07516 496945 or the station’s Facebook page, or collect on the day.

Hot refreshments will be available at the Ballygally community centre following the swim.

Santa arrived by sea into Rosslare Europort at the weekend. Rosslare-Europort, being the closest point from the southern part of Ireland to the UK and the European Mainland, is a hub of all the major RORO Passenger and Freight services operating the southern Irish Sea and Continental routes.

As Afloat.ie reported last month, shipping lines have been notified by Rosslare Harbour that it is to waive charges for cruise ships for 2017, 2018 and 2019. The initiative is to establish the south-east as a destination for what is Europe’s fastest growing tourism sector.

Crosshaven RNLI crew in Cork Harbour received a presentation of €5,100 from the Royal Cork Yacht Club, being the proceeds of the Volvo Cork Week RNLI Ladies lunch and Fashion Show
organised by Mary Jones (pictured above) which took place in the summer. Also pictured are John Roche, Admiral and Gavin Deane, RCYC Manager. The Lifeboat crew pictured are Alan Venner, JP English, Mick Canty and Ian Venner.

#RNLI - Castletownbere RNLI was requested to go to the aid of a 36m vessel with mechanical difficulties north of the Bull Rock off the coast of West Cork on Friday evening (16 December).

The lifeboat, under the command of deputy coxswain Sean Bawn O’Sullivan, was launched within minutes and located the vessel at anchor about one hour later.

The vessel, the Ocean Guardian, was on passage from Castletownbere to Burtonport when it contacted Valentia Coast Guard.

With light winds and a 3-4m swell, RNLI volunteers passed a tow rope to the crew onboard, and the lifeboat took the vessel under tow to Castletownbere.

When off Crow Head some time later, the tow rope broke and had to be reattached. The tow was then completed without further difficulty.

The vessel was berthed alongside the pier in Castletownbere at 2.30am yesterday morning (Saturday 17 December).

Arranmore RNLI rescued four fishermen this morning after their 70ft boat got into difficulty off the Donegal coast.

The crew of the vessel which was travelling from Greencastle to Killybegs, raised the alarm before 7am after the boat developed steering problems some six nautical miles from Killybegs.

The all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Jimmy Early launched at 7am and made its way to the scene which was approximately an hour and a half’s journey from Arranmore.

Once on scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew put a rope onboard the boat and worked with the fishermen to set up a tow line. However, due to a swell up to a metre and a half and south to south westerly Force 6-7 winds, the tow rope broke following set up. Once it was re-established, the lifeboat proceeded at slow speed due to the size of the fishing vessel, and made its way to Killybegs where it arrived with the vessel in tow at 11am.

Speaking following the call out, Tony Ward, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The fishermen did the right thing this morning and called for assistance when they started to encounter difficulties. Weather conditions made the tow challenging but using their skills and training, our lifeboat crew were able to get the line re-established and bring the men safely to shore.’

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson for the second time in two days on Tuesday evening (29 November 29) after Dublin Coast Guard received reports from a fishing vessel of a boat on fire.

Shortly before 9pm a fishing vessel contacted Dublin Coast Guard and reported seeing a boat on fire, providing GPS co-ordinates for the location.

The lifeboat, with Emma Wilson at the helm and crewed by Joe May, Philip Ferguson and Ian Guildea, made its way directly to the area indicated.

Once on scene they carried out an initial search but there were no vessels in the immediate area. There was however, a marine survey vessel operating in the area with bright orange working lights.

After a further search it was decided that it was a false alarm with good intent and the lifeboat was stood down.

Speaking after the callout, Skerries RNLI lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: “The crew of the fishing vessel genuinely believed that there was someone in danger and contacted Dublin Coast Guard.

“Our volunteers will respond to any call for help, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

On Sunday evening (27 November) the lifeboat launched after several people dialled 999 to report sighting distress flares near Balbriggan. However, with no sign of anyone in difficulty, the lifeboat was stood down.