Three fishermen were brought to safety by Wicklow RNLI on Tuesday afternoon (27 June), after their 14-metre vessel got into difficulties ten miles northeast of Wicklow harbour.

The RNLI relief fleet all-weather lifeboat RNLB Ruth and David Arthur put to sea shortly before 11.45 am under the command of Coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew, following a launch request from the Coast Guard.

The alarm was raised after the skipper reported that his fishing vessel was fouled in ropes anchored to the seabed near the Codling Bank and required assistance.

Wicklow lifeboat was alongside the fishing vessel one hour after launching. Conditions on scene were wind south southeast force 4-5 with moderate sea.

The lifeboat crew were able to free the fishing vessel from the rope obstruction, but rope remained tangled in the propeller.

Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Ciaran Doyle said: ‘As the vessel was unable to return to port under its own power the only option was to take it in tow.’

A tow line was established at 12.35pm and course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was secured alongside the Packet pier just after 3pm and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore.

The lifeboat returned to station where trainee Nathan ‘O Connor went ashore after completing his first callout as an RNLI volunteer.

Both Wicklow RNLI Inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched this afternoon (Sunday, 25 June) after the Irish Coast Guard received a distress call on Marine VHF Channel 16, reporting an 8-metre racing yacht had capsized during a squall in Wicklow bay, and one person was trapped under a sail.

The Inshore lifeboat launched at 4.10 pm and was on scene two minutes later. Weather conditions in the area were poor at the time as a thunder and lightning storm with strong gusting wind and rain passed overhead.

Speaking after the call-out RNLI Helm Alan Goucher said: ’As we approached the partially submerged vessel, five people were visible in the water. We recovered four, but the fifth person was tangled in the rigging, so lifeboat volunteer Peter Byrne entered the water and managed to free the person from the obstruction.’

With the five sailors safely onboard the Inshore lifeboat, they were landed ashore at Wicklow lifeboat station and handed into the care of a NAS Paramedic for a medical assessment. Thankfully they required no further treatment.

The all-weather lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh stood by the sinking yacht and placed a marker buoy on the section still visible above water. They were stood down by the Coast Guard shortly after 5pm and returned to station.

Commenting on the callout, Wicklow RNLI Press officer Tommy Dover said:’ This was a fast response by our volunteers today, who assembled and launched within minutes following the pager alert. It was also the first ‘Shout’ for our trainees Derek Byrne and Robbie Quinn as they kitted up on their first callout on the all-weather lifeboat.’

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Wednesday Morning (7th June) after their vessel developed mechanical problems twelve miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Ruth and David Arthur slipped its mooring at 10.45 am to reports of a fishing boat with engine failure. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel forty minutes after launching in a position 12 miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a north easterly direction force 4-5, with moderate choppy seas and good visibility.

After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain Keogh it was decided a tow was the best option given the casualty vessels engine failure.

The tow was established, and a course set for Wicklow Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 1.45pm.

The All-Weather Lifeboat was then made ready for the next callout.

This was the first callout for RNLB Ruth and David Arthur in Wicklow. It is based in Wicklow temporarily while RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams receives some planned maintenance work.

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Saturday afternoon (29 May), after their vessel developed mechanical problems three miles east of Greystones Harbour.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 3.43 pm to reports of an angling boat with engine failure. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel forty minutes after launching in a position four miles east southeast of Greystones Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a south easterly direction force 3-4, with moderate seas and good visibility.

After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain Keogh, it was decided a tow was the best option given the casualty vessel's engine failure.

Speaking after the callout, Nick Keogh said, “As Greystones Harbour was the nearest safe harbour, I decided this was the best place to bring the casualty”.

The tow was established, and a course set for Greystones Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 4.53 pm. Greystones Coast Guard unit was also there to help secure the vessel alongside.

At 4.56pm the All-Weather Lifeboat left Greystones, and arrived back in Wicklow Harbour at 5.30 pm where the boat was made ready for the next callout.

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams was called out to assist a lone sailor on Thursday afternoon (13 April) after his vessel suffered steering failure.

The lifeboat slipped its moorings from the south quay at 2:50 pm following a crew pager alert and proceeded to sea under the command of Coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew.

Twelve minutes later the casualty vessel was located one-mile south-east of Wicklow Head Lighthouse. Visibility in the area was good with westerly wind force four and moderate sea.

The lone sailor on the 11-metre yacht was on passage from Dublin to Kerry and was passing Wicklow Head lighthouse when the steering failed. He then contacted the Coast Guard and asked for assistance.

Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Ciaran Doyle said, ‘We carried out a quick assessment of the vessel and as it had no steering, the only viable option was to tow the yacht back to Wicklow port. Alan Goucher was also transferred onto the yacht to assist the sailor while the boat was under tow.’

The yacht was secured alongside the East pier just before 4 pm and the sailor was landed safely ashore.

Speaking about the call out, Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, Tommy Dover said: ‘The sailor today was well equipped and was able to contact the Coast Guard for assistance; when going afloat we would remind everyone to check their engine and fuel, always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a means of calling for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Getting Wicklow RNLI lifeboat to a casualty and getting them home is the basis of what Lifeboat volunteers do, but when there is an ill or injured person to care for, what kind of training do RNLI have for that?

A group of eleven of volunteer crew took on the challenge of learning the skills, procedures and techniques required to pass the RNLI’s rigorous Casualty Care training course. They gave up approximately 30 hours of their time over the course of two weeks to enable them to complete the training successfully. Wicklow RNLI welcomed Stephen O’Flaherty of RNLI Casualty Care Trainer to the station to conduct the training.

A group of eleven Wicklow RNI crew took on the challenge of learning the skills, procedures and techniques required to pass the RNLI’s rigorous Casualty Care training course

The course is designed to enable crew to provide correct and effective care to a casualty until such time as they can be handed over to the expert care of paramedics or doctors.

Sometimes the care given takes place in hostile and unrelenting conditions adding an extra layer of complexity to the training required by volunteers.

The training revolves around hands on practical applications rather than concentrating on complex theory. The RNLI employ the use of check cards to assist its volunteers in carrying out the proper care. This allows the crew to concentrate on the practical application of Casualty Care without having to try and remember complex procedures in the middle of a difficult rescue.

During the training each crewmember must pass practical and written assessments to demonstrate their own individual skills. The final part of the assessments involves the crewmembers working in pods together to asses and treat a casualty in a practical scenario.

Three fishermen were brought to safety by Wicklow RNLI on Tuesday evening (21 February) after their vessel developed mechanical problems seven miles south of Wicklow port.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings at 5.20 pm from the South Quay as darkness fell and put to sea under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The lifeboat crew located the fishing vessel fifteen minutes after launching five miles east of Wicklow Head. Conditions in the area at the time were wind southerly in direction force 4, with a moderate sea and good visibility.

Coxswain Keogh carried out a quick assessment on the 18-metre vessel, it was found that the steering had locked, and this was preventing the fishermen from getting back to port under their own power. Their only option was to drop anchor and call for assistance.

A tow line was established, and the course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was brought alongside the East pier at 7.20 pm and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Wicklow RNLI, Tommy Dover said: ‘This was a quick response by the crew this evening, which resulted in three fishermen coming ashore safely. It was also the first ‘Shout’ for Ian Thompson as a new navigator, the role is very important at sea, where time is important and accurate headings are required to ensure the lifeboat gets to a casualty as quickly as possible; we were delighted he recently qualified as an all-weather lifeboat navigator after completing a rigorous training programme.’

John Sillery, the long-serving Head Launcher at Wicklow Lifeboat Station, has retired after 34 years of dedicated service to the RNLI.

John joined the RNLI on New Year’s Day 1989 as a volunteer winch operator. He was appointed head launcher at Wicklow and took charge on the slip of all launching and recovery activities for the all-weather Tyne class lifeboat RNLB Annie Blaker.

John Sillery Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard

In lifeboat history, John will be remembered for launching the last operation Tyne Class slipway lifeboat in the RNLI fleet, at 1:30pm on Sunday 28 April 2019 to the sound of loud applause, John Sillery, struck the pin which released the Annie Blaker down the slipway and into the water for the final time, ending an era that spanned over three decades at Wicklow and signalling the retirement of the last Tyne class lifeboat from the RNLI fleet.

2019 saw the arrival of the new Shannon class lifeboat at Wicklow and the same year John Sillery received his Long Service Award from the RNLI. This was in recognition for his commitment and dedication to the charity that saves lives at sea.

With the arrival of the new Shannon class lifeboat, John was responsible for launching and recovering operations at the South Quay berth.

To mark John’s retirement, family, friends and lifeboat crew gathered at the Wicklow Golf Club to celebrate his long service as a volunteer

Wicklow RNLI Operation’s Manager, Mary Aldridge paid tribute to John’s commitment over the past 34 years. Flowers were also presented to Maria Sillery, John’s wife, a token to say thank you for supporting John and sharing him with us over the years. Coxswain Nick Keogh also presented John with a specially commissioned lamp in the shape of a lighthouse, a gift from the crew to say thank you.

John Sillery with his wife Maria and family at the retirement party in the Wicklow Golf Club Photo: Tommy Dover/RNLI

We are indebted to John for his service at Wicklow RNLI. Since 1989 he has launched the lifeboat countless times that resulted in the saving of many lives along the Wicklow coast.

Second Coxswain Ciaran Doyle best described John during a speech on the night saying “John Sillery was Solid as a rock; he was always the first person to arrive at the station during a shout ready to launch the lifeboat. Thank you for the years.”

Flying Fifteen sailor John MacAree was part of a major fundraising effort in aid of Wicklow RNLI by the members of Swim Smooth Ireland, who presented a cheque for more than €10,000 at the weekend.

The swimming club’s big charity swim took place on Saturday 10 December at the Killashee Hotel in Naas, where members swam 5km or 10km in the pool where they regularly train, as the Wicklow People reports.

Smooth Swim Ireland chose the Wicklow lifeboat as their fundraising recipient as Wicklow Harbour is a used for some of the members’ training during the summer months.

On Sunday morning (29 January) the lifeboat team said they were delighted to welcome Maxine Stain from Swim Smooth Ireland along with members of the swimming squad to present a cheque for €10,640 to Wicklow RNLI.

Karen Boyle of Wicklow RNLI’s fundraising branch accepted the donation on behalf of the RNLI — before some of the swimmers took the opportunity for a cold-water dip in the harbour.

Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat assisted fishing vessels during two separate callouts on Friday (2 December).

The first came at 8:15am following a pager alert, with the all-weather lifeboat Joanna and Henry Williams slipping its moorings at the South Quay and proceeding to the casualties’ last reported position some 16 miles offshore near the East Codling buoy.

Weather conditions in the area had a slight sea state with good visibility.

Coxswain Ciaran Doyle carried out an assessment of the vessel which was found to have a damaged gearbox and shaft.

As the vessel had no propulsion and unable to return to port under its own power, it was decided the best course of action was to tow the vessel back to Wicklow.

A towline was established just after 9am and course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was brought alongside the East Pier just before noon and the two fishermen onboard landed safely ashore.

The second callout was just after 3.35pm to a fishing vessel drifting near the entrance of Wicklow Harbour.

Two lifeboat crew were transferred onto the vessel, which was found to be taking on water and in danger of sinking.

Speaking after the callout, coxswain Doyle said: “We deployed our pump to supplement the vessels own pump to clear the hold of water, and once it was up and running, we were able to tow the vessel to the South Quay.”

The fishing vessel was secured alongside the quay just after 4pm and the fishermen landed safely ashore.

Wicklow RNLI press officer Tommy Dover said: “When going afloat we would remind everyone to check their engine and fuel, always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a means of calling for help.

“If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”