Bangor RNLI volunteer Kyle Marshall is celebrating 40 years of service with the charity.

Growing up in Bangor and spending his teenage years working around the harbour, Kyle always had a connection with the RNLI and the local volunteers.

On 27 May 1983, Kyle joined the crew of Bangor RNLI and has been serving the community there, on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland, ever since.

The charity and the resources have changed significantly since Kyle first joined. Bangor RNLI started with a D class lifeboat that was launched by hand on a trolley, progressing on to an Atlantic 75 and more recently the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Jessie Hillyard.

“Over the years I have seen many changes within the RNLI, most notably how much more effective the investment in training and equipment has become,” Kyle says. “The RNLI crew training is undoubtedly one of the best search and rescue training in the world, which helps all volunteers save lives at sea.”

When asked about his first memorable rescue, Kyle says: “My first call-out was to a capsized boat just off Brompton in Bangor. Three guys in an 18ft skiff had overturned their boat. We were alerted by a member of public who had heard cries for help.

“We launched our D class boat to rescue the crew and casualty boat. It was a very calm still night with a low thick fog when we made our way to the scene. At first we couldn’t see or hear anything but when we cut the engine we could hear calls for help. We followed the calls and were able to locate and recover the three guys from the water.

“I was on the lifeboat with Brian Meharg and Philip Layburn that evening and will never forget it. In fact, I bumped into one of the guys we rescued recently in Bangor and he vividly recalled his rescue.”

Kyle goes on to explain what the lifeboat means to him: “It’s a passion. The RNLI volunteers are like family and I have made and maintained many great friendships over the last 40 years in service. However, I genuinely believe that I personally have got more from the charity than I have given.”

Byron Griffiths, Bangor RNLI lifeboat operations manager said: “Forty years of volunteer service is a fantastic achievement for anyone and we want to thank and congratulate Kyle for his selfless dedication and contribution that has undoubtedly helped to bring many people to safety.”

Courtown RNLI’s fundraising committee is hosting a family fun day this Sunday 9 July on the North Pier in Courtown, Co Wexford.

A blessing of the boats and a short ceremony recognising and remembering those who have lost their lives at sea will commence at 2pm.

This will be followed by an afternoon of fun for all the family, with stalls selling plants, books, bottles and cakes, strawberries and cream.

There will be music in front of the boat house and face painting for the children, plus a monster raffle with all proceeds going to the Courtown lifeboat. Tickets will be €5 for three strips and the raffle will take place in the Taravie Hotel at 5pm.

On Saturday afternoon (1 July) Lough Derg RNLI was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard following a report from a member of the public of a vessel aground close to Terryglass at the northern end of Lough Derg.

The inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched at 4.58pm with helm Steve Smyth, Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Oisín Higgins on board. Winds were northwesterly Force 4-5 with good visibility.

At 5.22pm the RNLI lifeboat crew could see the casualty vessel, a leased cruiser, at the reported location close to Slevoir Bay near Terryglass Harbour.

It emerged that the cruiser company had a vessel on the water and had taken both passengers to safety in Terryglass. They told the lifeboat volunteers that they were going to take the vessel off the rocky shoal and the lifeboat waited on standby to ensure the crew on the salvage vessel were safe.

By 5.33pm both vessels were back in safe water and the lifeboat was stood down.

Christine O’Malley, lifeboat operations manager at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to “check the weather and stay within the navigational channel. If in difficulty dial 999 or 112 and ask for marine rescue.”

Three fishermen were brought to safety by Valentia RNLI on Thursday afternoon (29 June) after their nets were caught in the propeller of their 14m fishing boat.

At 3.17pm, Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI’s volunteer crew to launch their all-weather lifeboat and to go to the aid of the three fishermen two miles west of Inishvickillane in the Blasket Islands.

Weather conditions at the time we described as moderate with a 3-4m sea swell and a Force 5-6 westerly wind.

Arriving on scene, the coxswain carried out an assessment of the vessel and it was decided the best course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port at Portmagee harbour.

The call-out was the third in a week for the Valentia lifeboat crew, following two the previous weekend.

Last Saturday (24 June) the volunteer crew launched the lifeboat at 11.35pm to assist a sole sailor in difficulty on a 37ft yacht two miles north west of Kells Bay.

The sailor was assessed by the crew at the scene and found to be suffering from exhaustion. A decision was made to tow the casualty to the safety of Valentia Harbour.

On Sunday (25 June) Valentia RNLI launched to reports of a swimmer in difficulty at Coumeenoole Beach, Slea Head. The volunteers were stood down two minutes after launch as the casualty was picked up by a nearby boat.

Speaking following the call-outs, Valentia RNLI lifeboat press officer Michelle O’Shea said: “Our recent call-outs all had positive outcomes. As summer is well under way, we would like to remind all users of the sea to be as prepared before going to sea.

“We would encourage all should you get into trouble or see someone else in difficulty, to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Four members of Ireland’s Row Hard or Go Home team visited Howth RNLI recently to present a cheque for €35,096 to the lifeboat crew.

The funds were raised through the teams taking part in the World’s Toughest Row (formerly the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge), a 4,800km race across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua earlier this year.

One of the two teams set a new record for the fastest Atlantic crossing, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Both teams chose the RNLI and Laura Lynn to benefit from their fundraising efforts. The funds raised for the RNLI will be spent in Ireland and will go towards the search and rescue charity’s work of saving lives at sea.

The ocean rowers were shown around the north Co Dublin lifeboat station by some of the crew. The RNLI operates two lifeboats at Howth, an all-weather vessel and a smaller D-class craft which are on call 24/7.

The Row Hard or Go Home teams spent over a month at sea in some incredibly challenging conditions, away from their family and dry land. They took turns to sleep and eat and carried out repairs on the small boats, miles out to sea.

Commenting on their generous donation, RNLI community manager Pauline McGann said: “We are so delighted… Their race across the ocean, which was followed online by so many people, showed what an incredible journey and feat of endurance they undertook.

“As the RNLI is a charity that saves lives on the water, we know the challenges that being out at sea for so long can raise. They were so strong and so committed to their goal and they raised much needed funds for our lifesaving work in Ireland. We are so grateful they choose the RNLI as one of their charities.”

Derek McMullen, a member of the record-setting crew added: “It can not be understated how important and how invaluable the RNLI are. The dedication and commitment of the volunteers have saved countless lives down through the years and indeed have been there to support us through our own sea going adventures.”

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat to reports of sailing dinghies caught in a squall on Thursday evening (22 June).

Following reports from an onlooker on the beach at Rosses Point that there appeared to be several dinghies capsized in Sligo Bay, the inshore lifeboat Sheila and Denis Tongue launched at 8.10pm to offer assistance to the clubs’ safety boats already on the water.

Arriving on the scene at 8.15pm, the crew assessed the situation and found that most dinghies had righted themselves and were able to sail home unassisted.

However, one dinghy had turned turtle and both sailors had been picked up by the club safety boat. The lifeboat crew managed to right the dinghy and tow it back to the club.

Speaking following the call-out, Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat press officer said: “A member from the sailing club said conditions changed very quickly and even though they had their safety boats on the water, they were very grateful of the assistance provided by ourselves and that having the RNLI as their neighbours, is always a great comfort to them.

“As we enter the summer season, we would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always go prepared, check weather and tide times, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity and always carry a means of communication such as a VHF radio or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Achill Island and Ballyglass RNLI in Co Mayo are among six charities that will benefit from the proceeds raised from the hugely popular annual 5k Runway Fun Run, which will take place on the runway at Ireland West Airport this September.

Ireland West Airport made the announcement about this year’s fun run on Thursday (22 June) in partnership with Portwest.

Runners and walkers will take-off down the runway at 7pm on Saturday 9 September and complete a 5km course with a difference.

All are welcome to attend what promises to be a fantastic evening for all the family, raising much needed funds for our charity partners in 2023.

The airport charity partners for 2023 are the RNLI lifeboat stations in Achill Island and Ballyglass, Breakthrough Cancer Research, Diabetes Ireland, Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Children’s Cancer Fund and Mayo Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Registration is now open but placs are limited. Entry costs €20 per adult and €5 for under-16s. A special family rate of €40 will be available for families of two adults and two kids.

All participants will receive a race T-shirt and complimentary car parking and refreshments at the airport will be provided on the day.

To mark the special event, all participants who register online to take part will be entered into a draw to win two return flights to London Heathrow with Aer Lingus — the airport’s newest daily service launched in March of this year.

A ‘virtual option’ will also be available again this year for those who wish to support the charities but are unable to make it on the day and would like to do a virtual run or walk.

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat to reports of four swimmers in difficulty on Wednesday afternoon (21 June) at Strandhill beach.

On arrival at the scene less than 20 minutes after pagers sounded, the lifeboat crew were advised by the Irish Coast Guard that three swimmers had been rescued by local surfers but that a fourth person was missing.

The volunteers continued search the area until they were stood down by the coastguard when the fourth swimmer was successfully rescued and brought to shore. An ambulance was also on the scene to assess all four swimmers.

Strandhill beach has a very strong undercurrent and swimming is prohibited.

Aisling Gillen, Sligo Bay RNLI’s lifeboat press officer adds: “Thankfully today had a happy ending but it is important to always observe the signage and only swim at a lifeguarded beach.”

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 7.15pm on Tuesday evening to reports of a person who had fallen onto rocks between Portrush and Portstewart on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.

The all-weather lifeboat was already out on exercise so was diverted to the scene and was able to arrive some 10 minutes after the pagers were activated.

Once on scene, the crew realised that the person was unresponsive, and liaising with the PSNI and coastguard on a plan of action. At this point the inshore lifeboat was requested to launch to assist evacuation of the casualty.

The volunteer crew were then able to assist the casualty into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, coastguard and the waiting Air Ambulance at the top of the cliff.

Perry Walton, deputy coxswain at Portrush said: “Because the crew were already out on an exercise, we were able to respond to the page from HMCG very quickly.

“Added to the fact that weather conditions were good, we had good visibility and a fairly calm sea, we could locate the casualty immediately and help with the evacuation of the casualty to the cliff top.

“We would always ask people to be careful when walking along the cliff edges as its very easy to lose footing. If you see someone in difficulty, please ring 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Wexford RNLI rescued two people on Tuesday night (20 June) after their boat ran aground on rocks.

The volunteer crew were just completing a routine training exercise when they were requested by the Irish Coast Guard at 9.30pm to go to the aid of two people on a motorboat that had grounded on rocks that form part of a tidal defence wall, known as the North Training wall.

Helmed by Lorraine Galvin and with crew members Ger Doran, Dave Murray and Kevin Fitzharris onboard, the inshore lifeboat was quickly on scene at 9.35pm and the crew assessed the situation.

Both onboard the casualty vessel were found to be safe and well.

There was a strong tidal flow which required the lifeboat crew to make careful calculations to pass a tow while avoiding damage to the lifeboat itself by the rocks.

The tow was established at 9.50pm and the vessel was safely removed from the rocks and towed to the nearby boat club.

Weather conditions at the time were good, with a Force 3 southeasterly wind and good visibility.

Speaking following the call-out, Lorraine Galvin, Wexford RNLI lifeboat press officer said: “A strong tide made getting safely near the boat challenging but all the crew did a great job in assessing the options and successfully getting the crew and their vessel to safety.

“If anyone sees anyone in difficulty on or near the water, ring 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Shore crew on Tuesday night was Dermot Whelan while the deputy Launching authority was Damien Lynch.