Tramore RNLI were involved in the rescue of two swimmers who got into difficulty off Tramore Beach on Friday evening (9 June).

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at the request of the Irish Coast Guard following a call from a family member stating that her mother and brother were in difficulty off the Ladies slip in Tramore.

Pagers alerted the crew at 5.37pm and the D-class lifeboat — helmed by Dave O’Hanolan and with crew members Ronan McConnell, Noirin Phelan and Will Palmer onboard — launched minutes later at 5.42pm and made its way to the casualties reported position.

Weather conditions at the time were described as sunny and warm with two to three feet of surf and a brisk east to northeasterly wind.

On arrival, the lifeboat crew observed both casualties in the water with the male casualty keeping the female afloat. The mother and son had got caught in a rip current while swimming.

As they were close to the beach, two members of the public who spotted the pair in difficulty had gone into the water with a life ring and assisted in the recovery of the man while the woman was subsequently rescued by the lifeboat crew.

The Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117, which was on exercise just minutes away, attended and their winchman — a paramedic — was lowered onto the beach to assess the casualties. Both were found to be shaken but otherwise safe.

Speaking following the callout, Tramore RNLI helm Dave O’Hanolan said: “Time was of the essence this evening and we would commend the family member who raised the alarm and the members of the public who with safety in mind first, used a life ring before entering the water. The efforts of everyone this evening resulted in a life saved.

“As we continue to enjoy some good weather, we would encourage anyone planning a trip to the coast or an activity at sea to always go prepared by wearing a lifejacket or suitable flotation device and to always carry a means of communication.

“For swimmers or anyone getting into the water, we would remind people that rip currents can be difficult to spot but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning choppy water on the sea’s surface. Even the most experienced beachgoers can be caught out by rips.

“The best way to avoid them is to choose a lifeguarded beach and to always swim between the red and yellow flags which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be spotted more easily should something go wrong.

“If you do find yourself caught in a rip, don’t try to swim against it or you will get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore or raise your hand and shout for help.”

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 8.13pm on Friday evening (9 June) to reports of a person cut off by the tide while climbing around the base of Benbane Head.

The all-weather lifeboat and crew under coxswain Johnny Weston launched at 8.35pm to the scene in perfect weather and sea conditions.

They were guided to the casualty by HM Coastguard who were on the cliffs above the scene.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched the Y boat from the all-weather lifeboat and were able to rescue the person from the pebble beach underneath the cliff, returning to harbour at 9.20pm.

The individual wasn’t injured and was very grateful for the speedy assistance

Charles Grossie, deputy launching authority at Portrush RNLI said: “This was a classic shout for our crew, the volunteer crew launched into a calm sea and a beautiful Portrush evening and were able to arrive on scene very quickly and rescue the person from the base of the cliff and bring him back safely to Harbour.

“As we are now entering our busy summer season, we would ask people [in Northern Ireland] if they see anyone in difficulty to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

The volunteer lifeboat crew with Arklow RNLI launched in the early hours of Thursday morning (8 June) to reports of a vessel in difficulty some 10 miles south-east of the Co Wicklow town.

In a northeasterly wind with a 1.2-metre wave height, the all- weather Trent class lifeboat Ger Tigchlear made its way to the reported position and once on scene, the lifeboat crew confirmed that the sailboat had suffered engine failure.

It was decided to put a lifeboat crew member onboard the vessel to assist the lone sailor with rigging and running the towline.

Once this was done, the lifeboat took the casualty vessel under tow and returned to the nearest port of Arklow, arriving at 9am.

The Arklow lifeboat crew on this callout were coxswain Ned Dillon and crew members Craig O’Reilly, John Tyrrell, Dave Molloy, Ken O’Toole, Josh McAnaspie and James Russell.

Following the callout, volunteer lifeboat press officer Mark Corcoran said: “It’s been a busy couple of days at Arklow. It is great to see the training that we do paying off, in the assistance we are providing.

“Given the recent good weather, we are reminding everyone to stay safe and respect the water.”

Just two days after their back-to-back medevac shouts, the volunteer crew at Aran Islands RNLI were tasked on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (5 June) to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard as a person was in need of medical attention on the island of Inis Mór.

The lifeboat launched under coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin and a full crew, who transferred the patient safely aboard the lifeboat and brought them straight to Rossaveal harbour. Conditions at the time of launching were good with calm seas and a light breeze.

The second call to launch came at 6.37pm for a person who needed further medical attention after a fall on Inis Mór. The patient was transferred safely aboard the lifeboat by the volunteer crew after being brought to the pontoon by members of the fire brigade.

Speaking after the callouts, Aran Islands RNLI volunteer press officer Lena O’Connell said: “This was a very busy weekend for the volunteer crew, but they never hesitate to answer their pagers and to help anyone in need, this is what they train for. We wish both patients a speedy recovery.

“As we head into the summer months, we advise the public to always pay heed to safety advice and if going out on the water, let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.”

On Saturday afternoon (3 June), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch to assist two people on a 15ft speedboat that had suffered damage to one of its propellers and was at anchor three miles south of Terryglass Bay.

At 4.03pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh and crew Tom Hayes, Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board. The wind was easterly Force 2 and visibility was very good.

At 4.18pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel at anchor near Kilgarvan Bay. The lifeboat made a cautious approach and once alongside established that both people on board were safe and unharmed.

Given the location and hot weather, the helm made the decision to take the vessel under tow to safe harbour at Kilgarvan Quay.

Peter Kennedy, deputy launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users “to remain with the navigation channel, and in warm weather remember to take plenty of water for your journey”.

The volunteer crew of the Aran Islands RNLI were asked to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat two minutes after noon on Saturday 3 June after a gentleman visiting the island of Inis Mór for the day became unwell and was in need of further medical attention.

With the patient transferred safely aboard the lifeboat, Launched under coxwain Aonghus Ó HIarnáin and a full crew, they headed straight for Rossaveal harbour and the awaiting ambulance. Conditions at the time were good, with calm seas and a light breeze.

On return to the pontoon at Inis Mór, the crew were asked to launch again as another visitor to the island for the day had injured himself while swimming.

The crew transferred the patient safely aboard the lifeboat and headed straight for Rossaveal harbour.

Speaking after the callout, Ó HIarnáin said: “The volunteer crew didn’t hesitate to answer their pagers and get the patients on their way to the medical attention needed. We wish them both a speedy recovery.

“With the good weather forecast to continue, we advise the public to adhere to all the safety advice.”

Rosslare Harbour RNLI launched to the assistance of a 44ft sailing yacht with three people aboard on Tuesday (30 May) after it developed mechanical problems.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.27pm and within half an hour the crew had assembled, launched and reached the scene in Ballytrent Bay.

Conditions were difficult with a rough sea and a Force 6-7 northeasterly wind but visibility was good.

After assessing the situation and consulting with the yacht’s three crew — who were safe and well and wearing flotation devices — the lifeboat team decided to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port at Rosslare Harbour.

A tow line was secured at 3pm and the vessel was safely dropped alongside the harbour at 3.50pm.

Speaking following the callout, Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat operations manager Jamie Ryan said: “We are enjoying some wonderful weather and would encourage everyone planning a strip on the water to go prepared. We would stress the importance of wearing proper flotation devices and having good communication equipment when at sea.”

The lifeboat volunteer crew on this shout were coxswain Micheál Ferguson, mechanic Mick Nicholas, Paul McCormack, Dave McCusker, Keith Morris, Peter Carr and Conor Barry.

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI in Co Galway towed a broken-down boat with two people on board to safety yesterday evening and were tasked again at midnight to a medevac from the island of Inishbofin.

At 6.45pm on Friday (26 May), Clifden’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a boat that had broken down.

The crew launched Joyce King in beautiful sunny conditions, helmed by David Barry with crew James Mullen, Joseph Acton and Brian Ward. They were assisted by Neil Gallery and John Brendan Mannion on shore.

The crew arrived on scene to find the casualties had anchored and did not require medical attention. The stricken vessel was taken under tow back to a mooring in Clifden Bay, arriving without incident at 8.45pm.

Another callout came at midnight when Clifden’s all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was tasked to evacuate an injured person from Inishbofin. The casualty had sustained a head injury from a fall.

The lifeboat slipped her moorings under the command of coxswain James Mullen with John Mullen, Joseph Acton, Dan Whelan and Neil Gallery as crew.

The weather was calm en route with a beautiful night at sea, and the lifeboat made it to Inishbofin in excellent time. The crew met with the island nurse who provided a handover and then proceeded to transport the patient back to Cleggan pier. An ambulance was waiting to bring the patient to hospital for further treatment.

Speaking about the shouts, James Mullen said: “It was a busy night for our volunteer crew and I want to thank everyone involved, in particular the island nurse, An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and the coastguard who assisted in the multi-agency medical evacuation.

“Our volunteer crew remain on call 24/7, with the good weather promised we urge everyone to be safe around the water. If you get into difficulty, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The volunteer crews of Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI rescued four people after their boat suffered engine failure outside of Wexford Harbour shortly after 5pm on Tuesday (9 May).

Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and four other crew members onboard, was first on scene — locating the casualty vessel with assistance from the Kilmore Quay Harbour Master.

Having assessed the situation, the decision was made to tow the boat into safe waters. Wexford RNLI then took over the tow to navigate the casualty over Wexford bar and through the sandbanks of Wexford Harbour. The four people were safely brought ashore just before 7pm.

Weather conditions at the time were reasonably good, with a Force 3 westerly wind and good visibility with some showers.

Speaking following the callout, Wexford RNLI helm Damien Foley said: “The casualties did the right thing and contacted the coastguard when they were in difficulty. All four were also wearing lifejackets. This callout was well executed between ourselves and our colleagues in Rosslare Harbour.

“We would remind people that if you see anyone in difficulty on or near the water to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Wexford RNLI’s crew included helm Damien Foley, Sinead Casey, James Flood and Dave Murray. Deputy launching authority was David Sherwood and shore crew was Dermot Foley. Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s crew included coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke, mechanic Keith Morris, Peter Carr, Paul McCormack and Seamus McDonald.

Final preparations are under way at the three Donegal-based RNLI lifeboat stations at Bundoran and Lough Swilly and Arranmore for the charity’s Mayday Mile challenge which will see six volunteer crew — two from each station — climb Donegal’s highest summit, Errigal, this Saturday 13 May in full RNLI crew kit.

Since the fundraiser was announced a few weeks ago, the six lifeboat crew members — Chris Fox and Brian Fowley (Bundoran), Stephen Quigley and Barry Nixon (Lough Swilly) and Aisling Cox and Brian Proctor (Arranmore) — have been psyching themselves up for the challenge. Gym sessions have been completed and many steps have been climbed in preparation for the event.

Killian O’Kelly, RNLI water safety education manager and organiser of the fundraiser has been encouraging the six crew as they ready for the challenge.

“We’ll be right there with them on the day — we know it’ll be a tough one for them,” he said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far and remind people who would like to contribute that the JustGiving page remains open and details can be found on each station’s Facebook page.

“A massive thanks also to the crew from each station who have volunteered to complete the challenge. It’s not what the crews are used to, they face challenging conditions at sea when they go and help those in trouble on the water, but this is very different for them. We also want to show people where their funds go and that we are grateful for every cent to give us.”

During the month of May the RNLI is encouraging members of the public to complete their own ‘Mayday Mile’ however they see fit. The money raised could help RNLI lifesavers have everything they need to keep families safe this summer. Warmer weather draws more people to the water and RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews will drop whatever they’re doing when a call for help comes in.

For updates on the Errigal climb on the day, keep an eye on the social media channels of Arranmore RNLI, Bundoran RNLI and Lough Swilly RNLI.

Donations to the Errigal challenge can be made via the JustGiving page and the final sum will be divided equally between the three Donegal stations.

Elsewhere, volunteers with Dunmore East RNLI are preparing for their own vertical Mayday Mile by summiting the highest peaks in both the Comeragh and Knockmealdown mountains, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.