RNLI lifeboats from Ireland and the UK launched to a Mayday distress call from a fishing vessel taking on water on Friday (8 March).

The 24-metre Irish trawler had five crew onboard and was some 21 nautical miles northwest of Strumble Head near Fishguard in south Wales when HM Coastguard tasked the charity's Welsh lifeboats just before midday.

The all-weather lifeboats and volunteer crew from St Davids, Fishguard, Newquay made best speed to the scene.

HM Coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter R936 from Caernarfon also tasked to assist and was first to arrive on scene, lowering a water pump to the vessel.

With no casualties reported, Newquay lifeboat was stood down en route. St Davids’ Tamar class lifeboat Norah Wortley arrived at 1.10pm with sea conditions rough in a Force 5-7 easterly wind. Fishguard RNLI’s Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII arrived at 1.35pm.

With no engine damage and the coastguard pump sufficiently reducing the water level, it was decided the fishing vessel would be escorted the 35 nautical miles west to Ireland.

St Davids RNLI escorting the trawler as Kilmore Quay lifeboat arrives | Credit: RNLI/St Davids

Kilmore Quay RNLI’s Tamar class lifeboat Victor Freeman was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to complete the escort and launched at 2.10pm. At this point, the Fishguard lifeboat was stood down and returned to Wales.

St Davids RNLI escorted the trawler a further 20 nautical miles west-southwest towards Tuskar Rock until the Kilmore Quay lifeboat arrived at 3.20pm and took over the escort, getting the vessel safely into port around 6pm.

Will Chant, RNLI coxswain for St Davids RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat said: “This rescue was a good, fast response from all crews, which with an incident of this nature was exactly what was required.

“Fortunately the salvage pump from the helicopter was all that was required in order to quell the problems on board the trawler, and after that it was a straightforward but long job of escorting the vessel to safety.

“Our crew even received ‘welcome to Ireland’ messages on their mobile phones, such was the distance from home.”

Late on Wednesday night, Baltimore RNLI received a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a man living on Cape Clear Island, located off the coast of West Cork. The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew, consisting of seven volunteer members, launched their lifeboat at 10:50 pm and arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island in just 35 minutes.

After assessing the medical condition of the patient, a casualty care lifeboat crew member brought the patient onboard the lifeboat, and the team departed the island at 11:28 pm. Battling poor visibility and a fresh south-easterly force 5 wind, the team arrived back at the Baltimore station at 11:55 pm, where the casualty was handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

Maria Coleman Joins RNLI Crew

The Baltimore RNLI team consisted of Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Brian McSweeney and crew members Kieran Collins, Don O’Donovan, Jerry Smith, Stuart Musgrave, and 2000 Olympic sailor and Baltimore local Maria Coleman. Interestingly, the same medical evacuation was carried out from Cape Clear Island exactly two weeks prior to this evacuation. But, it was different for Maria Coleman as this was her first shout as a fully qualified member of the Baltimore Lifeboat crew.

Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, said: “Congratulations to Maria from all at Baltimore RNLI. Please remember if you find yourself in a medical emergency while on an island, call 999 or 112.”

The Baltimore RNLI team is known for its incredible rescue operations and its dedication to saving lives. The team has once again shown its unwavering commitment to serving their community.Baltimore RNLI requested to provide a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island

Baltimore RNLI was requested to provide a medical evacuation last night (Wednesday, 6 March) from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 10.50 pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a man living on the island.

The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 11.25 pm and after a quick assessment by a Casualty Care lifeboat crew member, the casualty was brought onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Cape Clear Island at 11.28 pm and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 11.55pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Brian McSweeney and crew members Kieran Collins, Don O’Donovan, Jerry Smith, Stuart Musgrave and Maria Coleman. Conditions during the call out were fresh with a south easterly force 5 wind and poor visibility.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Whilst this callout was very similar to a medevac carried out from Cape Clear Island exactly two weeks prior, it was very different for Maria Coleman as this was her first shout as a fully qualified member of the Baltimore Lifeboat crew. Congratulations to Maria from all at Baltimore RNLI. Please remember if you find yourself in a medical emergency whilst on an island call 999 or 112.’

Dublin’s Tom Clarke bridge was lifted for an RNLI lifeboat on Monday morning – but it wasn’t in response to a tasking.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour lifeboat steamed up the Liffey and berthed on North Wall Quay to mark the publication of two special edition stamps issued by An Post.

The stamps designed by Dave Mooney were “launched” at An Post’s new headquarters, the Exo building on the Docklands as part of a number of events held in Dublin and London to mark two centuries of the RNLI.

Attending the Dublin event was RNLI Head of Region, Ireland, Anna Classon, and An Post chief executive officer David McRedmond, while a number of Irish representatives travelled to a special service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey.

Lough Derg helm and writer Eleanor Hooker was invited to read her poem “Float to Live” at the Westminster Abbey service. Also present were colleagues from the Lough Ree station, including lifeboat operations manager Kevin Ganly, treasurer Vincent Rafter and station visits officer Paul Kelly.

RNLI Lough Derg helm Eleanor Hooker reading her poem, “Float to Live” at Westminster Abbey during a special service of thanksgiving to mark the RNLI bicentenary

Meanwhile, Lough Ree’s volunteer helm Liam Sheringham was in Dublin. The stamps issued by An Post depict an Atlantic 85 lifeboat, similar to the “Tara Scougall” based at his station.

At Westminster (L-R) Vincent Rafter, Mark Dowie, CEO RNLI, Kevin Ganly, Paul Kelly

The first RNLI lifeboat station was established in Arklow, Co. Wicklow in 1826, and there are 46 stations on the island of Ireland. Lough Ree RNLI is one of four which are on inland waters.

To mark the bicentenary Irish Rail facilitated the lighting up of the White Bridge in Athlone in yellow over the weekend.

Further events are planned in the course of the year, according to the RNLI, including a special “One Moment, One Crew’” occasion on August 1st and the arrival of a commemorative scroll which will visit selected lifeboat stations.

Athlone Town Bridge lit up to commemorate the bicentenary of the RNLI. The first RNLI lifeboat station was established in Arklow, Co. Wicklow in 1826

An Post’s new stamps are the latest in a series on maritime themes. In April 2021, it issued a set of four stamps celebrating eight Irish participants in Antarctic expeditions of the 1800s and early 1900s, including Kerryman Tom Crean.

A set of stamps to commemorate the Commissioners of Irish Lights was issued by An Post in October 2016.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will mark its 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea by launching two commemorative stamps in collaboration with An Post today.

To celebrate the launch of these stamps, some of the charity's volunteer lifeboat crew, along with two individuals who were rescued by the RNLI, will gather outside An Post's offices at the EXO building on the North Wall Quay, beside the Liffey. Representatives from An Post will also be present at the event.

The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations throughout the island of Ireland, including four on inland waters. The charity designs and constructs its own lifeboats and runs both domestic and international water safety programmes. The most recent all-weather lifeboat, the Shannon, was named after the Irish river, recognising the dedication of Irish lifeboat crews for generations.

The first RNLI lifeboat station in Ireland was established in Arklow in 1826.

Dunmore East RNLI in County Waterford has announced the appointment of David Murray as its new full-time Station Mechanic. David, who has been a volunteer with the lifeboat station since 2013, has made significant contributions to the team and the maritime community of Dunmore East. His impressive career progression from Volunteer Crew Member to Trainee Coxswain is a testament to his development of skills in technical maintenance, operational readiness, and team leadership. 

Apart from his volunteer work, David has also been working as a General Operative at Dunmore East Harbour since 2017, which further honed his skills in maintenance and safety management within the harbour, making him an invaluable member of the RNLI team. 

David's involvement in the Lily B rescue in 2020, where he played a key role in saving nine lives and preventing a 100-metre coal ship from going aground at Hook Head, earned him a Medal Service Certificate for Gallantry. His spirit, dedication, and experience make him an ideal fit for his new role as Station Mechanic.

On his appointment, David said, "It's an honour to take on the role of Station Mechanic, even more so in the year when the RNLI marks such an important event. My life has always been linked to the sea, and I'm proud to apply the skills I've developed as an RNLI volunteer to my new full-time role. I am committed to providing complete support to our crew, ensuring they have the resources and training necessary to carry out their duties safely and effectively."

The Dunmore East RNLI crew say it is thrilled to have their colleague and friend promoted to such an important position and wishes David Murray the very best in his new role. As the charity marks its bicentennial year, David's journey from a committed volunteer to a full-time professional role within the RNLI is truly inspiring and demonstrates the institution's commitment to individual growth and development.

Portrush Lifeboat Station has welcomed “aboard” the Causeway Shantymen as the latest RNLI Ambassadors.

The Causeway Shantymen have become ambassadors for the RNLI during its 200th year. They have drawn great inspiration from a collaboration with Portrush RNLI and hope to play a significant role in promoting water safety and raising funds for the lifeboat station.

The group’s journey in just 12 months is remarkable, and they have quickly become a unique presence in Northern Ireland's music culture.

Their performances, ranging from collaboration with a West End theatre star to participating in maritime festivals and charity fundraisers, have brought joy to audiences. Their infectious passion for sea shanties not only entertains but also serves as a cultural link to the rich maritime heritage of the Causeway Coast.

Causeway Shantymen in action at SOS Day | Credit: RNLI/Causeway Shantymen

Sea shanties, with their tales of sailors' struggles and the harsh realities of life at sea, provide a glimpse into a bygone era.

Judy Nelson, volunteer lifeboat press officer said: “We need help more than ever to deliver our water safety messages. Over half the people that get into trouble in the water didn’t expect to get wet, and having the Causeway Shantymen on board will help us to deliver this message.

“This is such a natural fit for us at the station to team up with the Shantymen, especially when we made a guest appearance singing with them outside the lifeboat station at Christmas.

“The volunteer crew and station fundraising team are looking forward to working with them to help raise awareness of water safety and to raise funds for the station.”

Three fishermen were rescued by the Wicklow RNLI on Thursday afternoon, February 22. The fishermen were brought to safety after their vessel developed mechanical problems three miles southeast of Wicklow Head. 

The lifeboat, RNLB Bridie O’Shea, was dispatched from the South Quay at 2:50 pm under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh. The crew was alongside the casualty vessel within ten minutes. The fishermen had deployed their anchor after losing propulsion while fishing for whelk and contacted the Coast Guard for assistance.

The rescue operation took place in moderate sea conditions, with good visibility and a south-easterly wind force four. 

Coxswain Nick Keogh stated, ‘We carried out an assessment on the 12-metre fishing vessel and found that a rope was fouled in one of the propellers, so we established a tow and brought it back to Wicklow port.’

The fishing vessel arrived at the South Quay just before 4:20 pm, where the three crew members were safely landed ashore.

The RNLI reminds everyone to always check their engine and fuel, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a means of calling for help when going afloat. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

A woman living on Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork was evacuated by the Baltimore RNLI on Wednesday night. The Irish Coast Guard had requested the medical evacuation, and the volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 11:07 PM. The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island at 11:33 PM, where the casualty was assessed by some of the Casualty Care lifeboat crew members. After the assessment, she was transferred via stretcher onboard the lifeboat and taken back to Baltimore station, where she was handed over to the HSE Ambulance crew. 

The call out was made under fresh conditions with a southwesterly force 5-6 wind and a choppy sea, but the seven-strong volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, including Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell, and crew members Micheal Cottrell, Colin Whooley, Stuart Musgrave, David Ryan, and Don O’Donovan, managed to complete the mission safely. 

Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, said, “Baltimore RNLI often provides medical evacuations to residents and visitors to the islands off the coast of West Cork, including Cape Clear, Sherkin, and Heir. If you find yourself in a medical emergency while on an island, call 999 or 112.”

The RNLI is on the lookout for budding lifeguards to launch their lifesaving careers on some of the most popular beaches in Scotland, Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK.

Recruitment for this season’s lifeguard team has started nationally in preparation for providing local authorities and landowners with the service they request to keep the nation’s beachgoers safe this summer.

The charity’s lifeguards not only rescue those in difficulty in the water, they also provide vital beach first-aid and safety advice to ensure visitors can return home safely.

In 2022, RNLI lifeguards provided patrols and responded to more than 18,000 incidents, helping more than 24,000 people in need and saving 117 lives.

Last summer, lifeguards plucked stricken swimmers from powerful rip currents, saved children being blown offshore in inflatables, came to the aid of paddle-boarders and gave lifesaving CPR on beaches among the thousands of incidents they attended.

Successful applicants will receive world-class lifesaving training, enjoy good rates of pay, the possibility of flexible working patterns and develop valuable skills for a future career.

Lachlan Edwards, lead lifeguard supervisor for Scotland said: “To anyone thinking of becoming a lifeguard, just do it. It’s the best job, it’s so rewarding, and it keeps getting better – there’s so much opportunity for growth in the role.

“I love being outside on the beach all summer and sharing my knowledge with people. It often doesn’t feel like a job because I enjoy it so much, which is something a lot of lifeguards say.”

Lee Fisher, lifeguard experience manager said: “Beach lifeguarding is a great opportunity and a very rewarding role that changes lives — including your own — all whilst enjoying the beach as your office.

“Our lifeguards range from teenagers all the way up to lifesavers in their 70s, as long as you meet the fitness requirements and you are over 16 years old, there could be a role for you.

“The job also has great paths for progression — we have lifeguards who have been working for the RNLI for years, both on the beach and as part of our support teams, and the skills you gain can make an ideal first step towards many careers. It’s a great opportunity whether you want a rewarding summer job or to pursue a career in lifesaving.”

Find out more about becoming a lifeguard at rnli.org/BeALifeguard.

Three days after the rescue of three fishermen last Saturday afternoon, Wicklow RNLI launched lunchtime on Tuesday (13 February) to assist three more fishermen after their vessel experienced mechanical problems.

Under the command of coxswain Ciaran Doyle, the all-weather lifeboat Bridie O’Shea slipped its moorings from the south quay shortly before 9am and proceeded north to the casualty vessel’s last reported position.

The 11-metre fishing vessel was located at 9.35am drifting some eight miles off Bray Harbour, with three fishermen onboard were found to be safe and well.

Their fishing boat was found to have suffered engine failure and was unable to return to port under its own power, so the decision was made to tow the vessel to safety.

A towline was quickly established, and the lifeboat began to tow the stricken vessel back to Wicklow harbour, where it was secured alongside the south quay at 12.40pm and the fishermen were landed safely ashore.

Weather conditions at the time were favourable with calm sea and good visibility.

Speaking after the call-out, lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said: “The fishermen did the right thing this morning by calling the coastguard for assistance. Our volunteer crew were happy to help.”