Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched just before 4pm on Tuesday afternoon (20 August) following a coastguard pager alert to investigate reports of a capsized kayak off Wicklow Harbour.

With helm Alan Goucher and two volunteer crew, the lifeboat was on scene minutes after launching and the volunteers found a person in the water beside the capsized kayak at the entrance to the harbour.

Weather conditions at the time had westerly wind gusting Force 4–5 with a sea state slight and good visibility.

The kayaker was taken onto the lifeboat and after a casualty care check, no further medical aid was needed. The person and their kayak were landed safely ashore just after 4pm none the worse after their ordeal.

Speaking after the call-out, Wicklow lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said: “Thanks to the prompt action by the vigilant members of public, who made the emergency 999 call this afternoon, we were able to launch quickly and give immediate assistance to the kayaker in the water. Every second can count in a situation like this.

“For anyone planning a trip afloat, check wind and tides and always wear a flotation device suited to your activity. Carry a suitable means of communication to be able to call for help should the need arise. Let someone know where you are going and when you are due back and remember if you get into trouble or see anyone in difficulty, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat volunteers were called to action over the weekend to respond to two separate incidents involving vessels in distress.

The first incident took place on Saturday, August 10th, when both lifeboats were launched to investigate reports of a vessel taking on water near Silver Strand beach. Despite the calm weather conditions and good visibility, the Inshore lifeboat initiated a search at the last reported position of the distressed vessel. However, it was later determined that the occupants of a motorboat returning to Wicklow harbour had experienced some mechanical problems but were able to restart the engine with assistance from a passing vessel. They confirmed that they did not require further assistance, and the lifeboat crews were stood down by the coast guard.

Wicklow RNLI inshore lifeboat - investigated reports of a vessel taking on water near Silver Strand beach

The following day, on Sunday, August 11th, the Wicklow all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea received a launch request from the Coast Guard and headed north to assist a yacht experiencing mechanical problems. The lifeboat crew located the drifting eight-metre yacht with two occupants north of Six Mile Point. Despite the slight sea state and gentle southwesterly winds, the yacht's engine had failed, leaving it unable to return to shore. Coxswain Tom McAulay assessed the situation and decided to establish a tow, successfully bringing the yacht back to Wicklow harbour. The two sailors were safely landed ashore at 7:30 pm after the yacht was brought alongside the East pier.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) says it is investigating the source of a serious fish kill in Co Wicklow in which early indications suggest up to 2,000 fish may have died.

The incident occurred on the Aughrim River, near Aughrim, Co Wicklow.

Fish mortalities were observed in a 3km stretch of the watercourse in an area near Coats Bridge.

Species of fish discovered dead include juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon, trout and lamprey.

IFI says it is not aware of the specific source of this harmful ecological event at this stage.

Water samples have been taken from the river to gather evidence.

IFI environmental officers have been at the scene since early on Sunday morning (28 July), having been made aware of an incident following reports from members of the public to its confidential phone line at 0818 34 74 24.

Monitoring and assessment of the impact of the incident will continue in the coming days to try to identify the origin of the fish kill, IFI adds.

Wicklow all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea was launched just before noon today (Wednesday 10 July) following a Coast Guard pager alert, to reports of an EPIRB (emergency distress beacon) activation in the Wicklow area.

The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew were tasked to search from Wicklow Head to Six Mile Point. Passing boats were checked to make sure everything was ok or if assistance was required.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device carried on vessels that transmits a signal indicating that a person or a vessel maybe in immediate danger when activated.

The Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Dublin and the Irish Naval vessel LE George Bernard Shaw were also involved in the search. Wicklow Lifeboat was stood down at 1:10pm by the Coast Guard, as they were satisfied no vessel was in distress following an extensive sea search.

Speaking after the call out, Lifeboat Press Officer, Tommy Dover said: ’This was a nice milestone for our volunteer crew today, as it was the first ‘Shout’ for RNLB Bridie O’Shea, which has now been allocated permanently at Wicklow. The lifeboat will be on display during our Annual Station Open Day this Sunday, and all are welcome, doors open at 1pm.’

Wicklow RNLI brought five people to safety yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 5 June), after their vessel developed mechanical problems five and a half miles south of Wicklow Harbour.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 4:10 pm to reports of a white rib with five persons on board, which had developed engine failure. The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh was followed quickly by the inshore lifeboat Dennis Audrey, helmed by Paul Sillery.

The volunteer lifeboat crews located the vessel approximately 15 minutes after launching in a position five and a half miles south of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were blowing north westerly force 2-4, with slight seas and good visibility.

Once on scene, the volunteer crews assessed the situation. Given the fact that the rib was unable to make safe progress without any means of propulsion, a decision was made to establish a tow. The rib was towed by the inshore lifeboat to the nearest safe location which was Jacks Hole.

The vessel was secured a short time later, and all five casualties were assessed as being ok with no further attention required.

Speaking after the callout, Deputy LPO Connie O’Gara said, “This was a quick response by the crew and that, along with their training, helped bring five people safely ashore, and we wish them well.

The volunteer crew of Wicklow RNLI responded to two consecutive distress calls last Thursday (May 9th). The first call came in just before 1pm, reporting that two kayakers had capsized in the River Vartry, which flows into Wicklow Harbour. The inshore lifeboat, helmed by Paul Sillery, wasted no time and swiftly reached the scene.

On arrival, the crew found one casualty safe ashore while the other remained in the water. The crew promptly retrieved the second casualty and brought them to safety, also recovering the capsized kayak.

The second call, received just before 3 pm, summoned the crew to aid a 37ft motor vessel experiencing steering difficulties. The all-weather lifeboat, the Joanna and Henry Williams, was launched to assist the distressed vessel, located five miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. After establishing contact with the skipper, it was determined that the vessel could make its way to the harbour, with the lifeboat crew providing an escort. Once at the harbour, the lifeboat facilitated a safe alongside tow to manoeuvre the vessel alongside the pier

Wicklow RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched on Saturday afternoon ( 13 April) following a crew pager alert. The alarm was raised after a windsurfer contacted the Coast Guard, to say his friend was unable to get into the harbour due to the offshore wind, and they were concerned for his safety.

Two minutes after launching, Helm Alan Goucher and a volunteer crew spotted the windsurfer safely ashore on Travelahawk Beach. Contact was made with the person, and no further assistance was required.

Speaking after the call out, Lifeboat Press Officer Tommy Dover said,’Our advice for going afloat is always to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and it’s very important to carry a means of calling for help.’

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.

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.”

Three fishermen were rescued by the Wicklow RNLI on Saturday afternoon (10th February) after their 12-metre vessel developed mechanical problems off the Wicklow coast.

The Coast Guard requested the RNLI relief fleet all-weather Shannon lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea at 12.50pm, and a volunteer crew led by Coxswain Tommy McAulay responded immediately. The skipper of the fishing vessel had reported that it was fouled in ropes and drifting south, prompting the rescue mission.

The Wicklow lifeboat reached the fishing vessel just ten minutes after launching. An assessment was carried out, and as the vessel had no propulsion due to the fouled propeller, the only option was to tow it back to Wicklow port.

The Wicklow RNLI crew after returning to port after the incident Photo: Tommy Dover

Coxswain Tommy McAulay said, “We located the vessel about a half mile south of Wicklow Head, conditions in the area were lumpy, with a three-metre swell at times. The tow was slow at first due to the strong tidal flow at Wicklow Head, but we adjusted the course to take the boat further offshore where the tide was not as strong.”

The fishing vessel was secured alongside the South quay at 2.40pm, and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore. This was the first callout of 2024 for the Wicklow lifeboat volunteers, and it comes in the run-up to the RNLI’s 200th birthday on 4 March 2024.

The RNLI reminds everyone to check their engine and fuel before going afloat, 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