#RNLI - Three crew on a disabled fishing trawler were brought to safety by Dun Laoghaire RNLI today (Friday 4 October) after a fire broke out on board the 50-foot vessel.

The incident occurred off Bray Head at 10.30am when the Irish Coast Guard service at Dublin requested the launch of the all-weather lifeboat, which arrived on scene less than 30 minutes later.

The crew on the trawler were able to extinguish the fire but had no power to return to shore.

The lifeboat took the vessel under tow back to Dun Laoghaire in a two-hour operation. Nobody was injured in the incident.

#RNLI - Lough Swilly RNLI in Co Donegal launched its lifeboats three times in the last week to three separate incidents.

The first was on Tuesday last (24 September) when the station’s volunteer crew was requested to launch its inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat in the afternoon to assist a leisure craft that had caught its propeller on a mooring line in Leanan Bay.

On Saturday (28 September), the Atlantic 85 responded to go to the aid of a pleasure craft with mechanical difficulties from Portsalon to Fahan Marina, a distance of eight miles.

At the same time on Saturday, the station’s all-weather Tyne class lifeboat was tasked following a report from a member of the public that a number of kayakers were thought to be far off shore from Malin Head.

The lifeboat was subsequently stood down before reaching the scene as the RV Celtic Explorer - which was in the vicinity - checked with the kayakers, who reported that they were in no danger and on route to Inistrahull Island.

Speaking following the busy week, Lough Swilly RNLI deputy launching authority Eunan McConnell said: "Last week’s spell of good weather saw an increase in water-based activity in the area as people enjoyed the last rays of the summer sun. 

"Whilst the station’s lifeboats were tasked to several incidents during the week, thankfully all ended well and everyone was brought home safely."

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat on Monday evening (23 September) at the request of the Irish Coast Guard following a report of a fishing RIB at sea in darkness.

The alarm was raised at 8.35pm when a member of the public contacted the coastguard after passing a small rigid inflatable boat with two men onboard who were fishing near Wicklow Head. Darkness had fallen and the member of the public was concerned for their safety.

The volunteer lifeboat crew conducted a search of the bay, an illumination flare was fired to light up the search area and night vision equipment was also used.

The crew located the small RIB near Wicklow Head using searchlights at 8.48pm but the two men on board said they did not require assistance, and the all-weather lifeboat was stood down shortly before 9pm.

The lifeboat crew on the call-out were coxswain Nick Keogh, mechanic Brendan Copeland and crew members Tom McAulay, Sean Doyle, Dean Mulvihill, Graham Fitzgerald and John Vize.

#rnli – Baltimore all weather lifeboat in West Cork was launched to carry out a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island in West Cork last night. The call for assistance was made at 10:04pm on Monday 23rd Sept when a 15 year old youth required urgent medical attention.

The all weather lifeboat Alan Massey was launched within minutes under the command of Coxswain Kieran Cotter proceeding to North Harbour on Cape Clear Island in fresh weather conditions. The lifeboat collected the youth and in less than one hour had brought him to Baltimore to deliver him into the care of the ambulance service.

Coxswain Kieran Cotter remarked that 'given its speed and sea worthiness, the lifeboat is ideal for use in these emergencies'.

Next Sunday 29th Sept the crew of lifeboat are inviting the public to the station open day between 2:30pm and 5:30pm. The new state of the art building will be open to public view, as will the Atlantic 75 RIB inshore lifeboat and the Tamar class all weather lifeboat. All welcome - free of charge.

On board were Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell, Jerry Smith, Pat Collins, Tadhg Collins, John Rochford and John O'Flynn.

#RNLI – RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland were kept busy this summer, with the charity's lifeboats launching 571 times during the months of June, July and August. The figure represents an increase of 43 per cent on the previous summer.

While many people were enjoying the prolonged sunshine and the hottest summer for a number of years, Irish RNLI lifeboat crews were out helping those in trouble around the Irish coast and on inland waters at Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lough Erne.

The busiest lifeboat station in Ireland over the summer period (1 June to 31 August) was Dun Laoghaire which was called out 34 times. This was followed by Portrush in Antrim who launched 26 times and Crosshaven in Cork, whose volunteer crew were out 25 times over the summer.

Some lifeboat stations showed a large increase in their call outs on the same period last year with Skerries, Wicklow, and Fenit lifeboat crews, which launched 17 times each, doubling their launches from last year. Courtown in Wexford went from launching once last summer to 13 times.

Gareth Morrison, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager said: 'With more people travelling to the coast over the summer months RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews were busy keeping people safe. The commitment shown by our lifesavers that launched at all hours of the day and night in various conditions was outstanding.

'Not every lifeboat launch ends in a rescue and sadly some of our dedicated volunteer crews dealt with some difficult and challenging callouts. Their professionalism and determination in bringing loved ones home when they get in trouble on the water is to be commended.'

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland have been involved in a number of dramatic rescues this summer.

In July, 30 people were rescued by Kinsale and Courtmacsherry lifeboat crews when the tall ship Astrid was blown onto rocks and was taking on water off the south coast.

Dun Laoghaire RNLI all-weather lifeboat and Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat rescued six people on Dublin Bay in August after their boat capsized and they were clinging to the upturned hull.

Volunteer lifeboat crew with Tramore RNLI responded when a six metre half decker boat capsized with four men onboard off the Waterford coast. One man managed to swim to shore and the remaining three were recovered by the Tramore RNLI inshore lifeboat crew. One of the three was then airlifted off the lifeboat by the Coast Guard helicopter.

Sadly the summer also saw some tragedies on Irish waters and lifeboat crew at Dunmore East were involved with the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 in bringing home the three brothers who drowned while out were fishing off Dunmore East in June.

Gareth Morrison concluded: 'I would like to thank our supporters and fundraisers. Without their kind generosity and hard work we would not be able to equip and train our lifesavers or help so many people in trouble at sea and on inland waters.'

#RNLI - The crew of Baltimore Lifeboat Station are inviting the public to an open day on Sunday 29 September from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. 

Visitors on the day will have an opportunity to see the redeveloped station house at Bullpoint and the co-located lifeboats operating from there. 

The inshore lifeboat Atlantic 75 RIB Alice and Charles is housed inside the station house on a carriage and the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Alan Massey lies alongside in a newly excavated berth. 

Crew will be on hand to show people around the station house and the lifeboats as well as giving a first hand account of rescues at sea. Information on RNLI Sea Safety resources will also be made available. 

All are welcome to the open day, which is free of charge.

#rnli – Lifeboat crew with Achill Island RNLI returned home in the early hours of this morning (Friday 20 September) after a marathon callout to a fishing vessel 54 miles west of Achill Island off the Mayo coast. The lifeboat crew battled rough sea conditions for seventeen hours to bring the fishing vessel, with five crew onboard, safely home.

The call for help was raised just before 11am yesterday morning (Thursday 19 September) from a 22 metre fishing vessel. The crew had been hauling in their nets when they became entangled in the boats propellers and they could not move. Sea conditions were poor with force seven to eight and four to six metre sea swells.

The lifeboat crew arrived on scene in three hours and set about establishing a tow with the casualty vessel. Once that was established they started on the long journey back to shore at a slow speed. However the damaged propellers were causing a problem with the steering of the fishing vessel and with the strong conditions the tow broke twice and both times had to be re-established by the crew.

The Achill Island lifeboat arrived back with the casualty vessel under tow at 4am but due to tides was unable to bring it safely to shore. They moored it outside the harbour and after a few hours rest launched again at 7am to bring it safely inside the harbour.

Commenting on the callout Achill Island RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Tom Honeyman said, "This was a very challenging callout for an experienced lifeboat crew. Due to the terrible weather the seven crewmembers onboard the lifeboat had to keep a constant watch on the vessel. When the tow broke twice they had be on deck in rough conditions to ensure it was re-established quickly.

They are an incredible bunch of people and some of them only got a few hours sleep before having to go out to their jobs after being at sea for the previous 17 hours. The lifeboat is so important to communities such as ours in Achill and the people who volunteer for the service are a credit to the RNLI."

#rnli – Dun Laoghaire Harbour will be busy with rescue activities this Sunday (22nd September) when the RNLI lifeboat station holds it's annual Public Open Day in a revised format that will offer plenty of family-friendly attractions.

#rnli – Joining the RNLI volunteer crew will be members of the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit as well as the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team with vehicle and equipment demonstrations. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter based at Dublin Airport will also be landing at the Carlisle Pier for public display.

Both lifeboats stationed at Dun Laoghaire will be open for visits and a special rescue scenario will take place close to the lifeboat station where a real-life incident will be recreated.

Sea Safety is a central activity for both the RNLI and Irish Coast Guard who will both have special displays at the lifeboat station including Free life-jacket clinics.

The full line-up of activities which will begin at 1.30pm and finish at 5pm includes:

- Meet the crews;
- Tours of both lifeboats at Dun Laoghaire;
- Boathouse & equipment demonstrations;
- Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit in attendance;
- Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team with equipment demos;
- Rescue demonstrations afloat;
- Irish Coast Guard helicopter static display;
- Lifeboat Souvenir Shop will be open - we are a non-government funded charity;
- Guest appearances by the RNLI's Stormy Sam;
- Sea Safety Information road shows with the RNLI & Irish Coast Guard;
- Free Life Jacket clinics

#RNLI - There was another call-out for the Kilrush lifeboat to retrieve a boat broken free of its moorings on Tuesday 17 September, following Sunday's assist of a boat on the rocks at Mount Trenchard in the Shannon Estuary.

The volunteer crew of Kilrush RNLI launched quickly on Tuesday afternoon after a report that the boat was adrift off Glin in Co Limerick. Conditions on the day were very unfavourable with winds blowing south-westerly and gusting to Force 8.

The helm dropped one of the lifeboat crew at Glin Pier, where a number of locals brought him to the area where the boat was gone aground. Another crew member waded out to catch a tow line from the lifeboat, then proceeded to set up a long tow and was pulled to safer waters. 

The lifeboat then made its way to Glin pier were the owner was located and the vessel was tied up securely.

But the Kilrush lifeboat wasn't finished its duties yet, as around 4.45pm the coastguard relayed a message reporting another small vessel gone aground at Hog Island, near Cappa Pier at Kilrush.

The crew quickly turned westwards toward this area where they found a sailing boat up on the rocks on the spit at Hog Island.

Again the speed of the crew proved invaluable as they transferred one of their crew onto the shore, where he quickly established a towline. The Kilrush crewman stayed on the vessel, communicating all the time with the lifeboat and the coastguard. Within five minutes the boat was tied up at Cappa Pier and safely secured.

Kilrush RNLI lifeboat press officer Pauline Dunleavy said: “It is at times like these that constant training pays off. The lifeboat crew braved the elements and brought a satisfactory outcome to the owners of these vessels. 

"I would advise people to check that their mooring lines are strong and stable.”

Elsewhere, Crosshaven RNLI brought a troubled fishing boat with one person onboard to safety yesterday evening (18 September).

A mobile phone call to one of the Crosshaven RNLI crew members alerted them to a disabled fishing vessel seven miles south of Roches Point.

The pagers were activated and the volunteer crew of Kieran Coniry, Ian O'Keefe and Vincent Fleming launched to the aid of the stricken vessel at 4.45pm. 

With a north westerly Force Four wind and good conditions, the lifeboat made good progress and arrived a short time later.

The casualty vessel with one person on board had failed to restart its engine and was taken in tow by the lifeboat.

The 37ft vessel was towed to Crosshaven Pier, arriving back at 7.30pm.

#RNLI - Kilrush RNLI launched on Sunday 15 September shortly after 1pm following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to go to the aid of a boat which had broken its moorings off Labasheeda in Co Clare.

The volunteer lifeboat crew assembled and launched immediately, heading for the indicated area. Conditions were blowing quite hard at the time, with north westerly winds blowing.

The crew battled their way to the scene reaching the location at 2pm, whereby they set up watch and located the 6.5m vessel on the rocks at an area known as Mount Trenchard, east of Glin, near Foynes in Co Limerick.

Weather conditions were very strong and gusting Force 8, and in the interest of safety the decision was made to leave the vessel which was securely placed where it had gone aground with a view to it being removed to Foynes Harbour the following morning.

Kilrush RNLI lifeboat operations manager John Lamb said he was happy with the outcome and in view of safety of his crew that the right call was made on this occasion.