#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched shortly before 4pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 19 February) to assist a fishing vessel in difficulties off Wicklow Head.

The skipper of the fishing vessel contacted the Irish Coast Guard for assistance after his vessel developed engine failure in a position east of Wicklow Head.

The lifeboat, under the command of coxswain Dave O'Leary, located the fishing vessel twenty-five minutes after launching.

Weather conditions in the area were described as wind direction south easterly, force six to seven with a three metre swell.

A towline was quickly established, but progress with the tow was slow returning back to Wicklow due to wind and tidal conditions.

The fishing vessel with three crew was finally secured safely alongside the Packet pier at Wicklow Harbour at 7.45pm.

Lifeboat crew on the callout were coxswain Dave O'Leary, mechanic Brenda Copeland, Carol Flahive, Brian Sinnott, Tommy Murphy and John Vize.

#rnli – On the 20 February 1914 fourteen volunteer lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI set out to rescue the crew of the Norwegian Schooner the Mexico, which had lost its bearings in terrible weather and had been driven onto rocks at Keeragh Island off Fethard-on-Sea in Wexford. Of the fourteen lifeboat crew that set off in the Helen Blake lifeboat only five were to survive. What followed was a three day rescue attempt involving lifeboats from Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East and Rosslare Fort along with a local tug boat. Members of the local community watched the unfolding drama from the shore and waited three days until the surviving ten men were brought safely home.

This weekend, a hundred years later, members of the RNLI in Fethard and Rosslare have planned a weekend of events to commemorate the loss of the nine lifeboat crew and to acknowledge the incredible rescue efforts by the volunteer crews from four lifeboat stations who rescued ten people.

The culmination of these events will be a gathering of lifeboats from Fethard, Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay in Fethard Bay at 10.30am on Saturday 22 February for a wreath laying service at Keeragh Islands, followed by a memorial service at the lifeboat monument in Fethard-On-Sea at 2.30pm.

Other activity planned over the weekend includes a lecture from local historian Liam Ryan in St. Mary's Hall, Fethard and a special concert by Wexford Sinfonia with new music composed by Liam Bates to mark the event and held in Wexford County Hall this Saturday at 8pm. A wreath laying service will also be held at the monument at Rosslare Burrow, Rosslare Strand on Sunday 23 February at 3pm.

On the afternoon of 20 February 1914 when the Fethard lifeboat launched to go to the aid of the Mexico, a huge wave struck the lifeboat and filled it with water. More waves followed and the lifeboat was dashed against the rocks and smashed to pieces. Nine lifeboat crew were drowned and the remaining five made it onto the Keeragh island and assisted the eight crew of the Mexico in leaving their wreck, which had struck the island. Here they remained together for three days enduring numerous rescue attempts by neighbouring lifeboats and a local tug in terrible storms.

On the Monday two of the survivors were rescued by the Dunmore East lifeboat and ten by the Rosslare Fort lifeboat and the tug boat, Wexford. A crewmember from the Mexico succumbed to his injuries and died on the island.

The Fethard lifeboat crew who lost their lives were the Coxswain, Christopher Bird, Michael Handrick, Patrick Stafford, William Bird, Thomas Handrick, Patrick Roche, Patrick Cullen, James Morrissey and William Banville. Richard Bird survived but died two years later from injuries he had received.

Today four of the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI are descendants of the Fethard lifeboat crew from 1914. They are sisters Emily (22) and Nuala Carroll (20) whose great great grandfather was Patrick Cullen; Michael Roche (23) who is the great great grandson of Patrick Roche and lifeboat helm Eoin Bird (36) whose great great uncle was the Coxswain, Christopher Bird and whose grand uncle was Richard Bird.

Eoin, Michael and Emily will be the lifeboat crew onboard the Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat on Saturday 22 February and will travel the short distance out to the Keeragh Island along with Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay lifeboats to lay wreaths where the lifeboat crew lost their lives a hundred years ago.

Commenting on the anniversary and the plans to commemorate the tragedy Fethard RNLI lifeboat helm Eoin Bird said, "The story of the Mexico tragedy would not be that well known outside the local community but there are many relatives of the men that lost their lives still living here and who have been brought up on stories of the Mexico and who are very proud of their ancestors.

It is hard for us to imagine what they must have gone through at that time. Today our lifeboat crews have state of the art equipment and kit. Those lifeboat men rowed out to the island with their only thought being to save the lives of that crew. I am very proud to be a descendent and to be a lifeboat man today.'

Rosslare lifeboat man Fergus Wickham, a retired RNLI Coxswain and grandson of Edward Wickham, Second Coxswain on the Rosslare Fort lifeboat during that time and great nephew of Coxswain James Wickham, is also proud of the lifeboat crew who carried on and rescued the survivors, "It must have extremely difficult for them both mentally and physically. On the one hand they knew nine of their fellow lifeboat crew had drowned but they also knew they had to save the remaining men on the island who had no shelter or sustenance. They put aside their thoughts for the men who had lost their lives and heroically battled through terrible conditions to carry out an incredible rescue.'

*The laying of wreaths at Keeragh Island by the four RNLI lifeboats from Fethard, Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay is dependent on weather conditions on the day and operational duty.

Ends

Notes for Editor
Photographs from the time of the lifeboat crew and survivors are available.

Photographs from the event in Fethard will be available taken by Patrick Browne

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 43 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland and registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736)

Niamh Stephenson

RNLI Public Relations Manager – Ireland

Telephone: 00 353 1 8900 460 (w) / 00 353 87 1254 124 (m)

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18 February 2014

RNLI to mark centenary of Fethard lifeboat tragedy where nine volunteer lifeboat crew lost their lives and Wexford lifeboat crews rescued ten people

On the 20 February 1914 fourteen volunteer lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI set out to rescue the crew of the Norwegian Schooner the Mexico , which had lost its bearings in terrible weather and had been driven onto rocks at Keeragh Island off Fethard-on-Sea in Wexford. Of the fourteen lifeboat crew that set off in the Helen Blake lifeboat only five were to survive. What followed was a three day rescue attempt involving lifeboats from Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East and Rosslare Fort along with a local tug boat. Members of the local community watched the unfolding drama from the shore and waited three days until the surviving ten men were brought safely home.

A hundred years later members of the RNLI in Fethard and Rosslare have planned a weekend of events to commemorate the loss of the nine lifeboat crew and to acknowledge the incredible rescue efforts by the volunteer crews from four lifeboat stations who rescued ten people.

The culmination of these events will be a gathering of lifeboats from Fethard, Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay in Fethard Bay at 10.30am on Saturday 22 February for a wreath laying service at Keeragh Islands, followed by a memorial service at the lifeboat monument in Fethard-On-Sea at 2.30pm.

Other activity planned over the weekend includes a lecture from local historian Liam Ryan in St. Mary's Hall, Fethard and a special concert by Wexford Sinfonia with new music composed by Liam Bates to mark the event and held in Wexford County Hall this Saturday at 8pm. A wreath laying service will also be held at the monument at Rosslare Burrow, Rosslare Strand on Sunday 23 February at 3pm.

On the afternoon of 20 February 1914 when the Fethard lifeboat launched to go to the aid of the Mexico , a huge wave struck the lifeboat and filled it with water. More waves followed and the lifeboat was dashed against the rocks and smashed to pieces. Nine lifeboat crew were drowned and the remaining five made it onto the Keeragh island and assisted the eight crew of the Mexico in leaving their wreck, which had struck the island. Here they remained together for three days enduring numerous rescue attempts by neighbouring lifeboats and a local tug in terrible storms.

On the Monday two of the survivors were rescued by the Dunmore East lifeboat and ten by the Rosslare Fort lifeboat and the tug boat, Wexford . A crewmember from the Mexico succumbed to his injuries and died on the island.

The Fethard lifeboat crew who lost their lives were the Coxswain, Christopher Bird, Michael Handrick, Patrick Stafford, William Bird, Thomas Handrick, Patrick Roche, Patrick Cullen, James Morrissey and William Banville. Richard Bird survived but died two years later from injuries he had received.

Today four of the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI are descendants of the Fethard lifeboat crew from 1914. They are sisters Emily (22) and Nuala Carroll (20) whose great great grandfather was Patrick Cullen; Michael Roche (23) who is the great great grandson of Patrick Roche and lifeboat helm Eoin Bird (36) whose great great uncle was the Coxswain, Christopher Bird and whose grand uncle was Richard Bird.

Eoin, Michael and Emily will be the lifeboat crew onboard the Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat on Saturday 22 February and will travel the short distance out to the Keeragh Island along with Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay lifeboats to lay wreaths where the lifeboat crew lost their lives a hundred years ago.

Commenting on the anniversary and the plans to commemorate the tragedy Fethard RNLI lifeboat helm Eoin Bird said, "The story of the Mexico tragedy would not be that well known outside the local community but there are many relatives of the men that lost their lives still living here and who have been brought up on stories of the Mexico and who are very proud of their ancestors.

It is hard for us to imagine what they must have gone through at that time. Today our lifeboat crews have state of the art equipment and kit. Those lifeboat men rowed out to the island with their only thought being to save the lives of that crew. I am very proud to be a descendent and to be a lifeboat man today.'

Rosslare lifeboat man Fergus Wickham, a retired RNLI Coxswain and grandson of Edward Wickham, Second Coxswain on the Rosslare Fort lifeboat during that time and great nephew of Coxswain James Wickham, is also proud of the lifeboat crew who carried on and rescued the survivors, "It must have extremely difficult for them both mentally and physically. On the one hand they knew nine of their fellow lifeboat crew had drowned but they also knew they had to save the remaining men on the island who had no shelter or sustenance. They put aside their thoughts for the men who had lost their lives and heroically battled through terrible conditions to carry out an incredible rescue.'

*The laying of wreaths at Keeragh Island by the four RNLI lifeboats from Fethard, Rosslare, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay is dependent on weather conditions on the day and operational duty.

#brainhacker – Celebrity 'Brainhacker' Keith Barry shows his support for the RNLI at the recent angling exhibition (L-R) George Duffy (Howth RNLI), John McKenna (Lifeboat Sea Safety Officer, Howth RNLI), Keith Barry and Alan Gielty (Achill Island RNLI) pictured at the RNLI stand at the Ireland Angling 2014 exhibition in Dublin (15 Feb 2014). Over 300 people visited the stand to get advice about staying safe at sea and how to properly maintain their lifejackets.

Out of the 18 lifejackets brought to the Lifejacket Clinic, 14 had out-of-date triggers or salt tablets and one had been fired.

#rip – The sea, once it casts its spell, will hold you in the net of its wonder forever. A thought that left Dublin native Charlie McGibney spellbound for his 85 years. From a very young age and through all his journeys taken over sea and land throughout his long, distinguished and caring life, Charlie took his final journey this week after he peacefully passed away at his home in Tieraclea, Tarbert, County Kerry on February 13 last.

Born in 1928 and originally from Inchicore, Mr McGibney developed and harnessed his interest and love for the sea over many years culminating in stewardship roles with many of the countries national sailing classes and associations.

Through sailing and the his maritime links and bonds, Mr McGibney is fondly remembered throughout the community, both far and wide with the esteem his presence would hold.

A founder member and former Commodore of Tarbert Island Maritime Club, Mr McGibney held a position of governor of RNLI together with a secretariat role for the Topper International Class Association.

A regional race officer with the Irish Sailing Association, Mr McGibney was very much involved with the Mermaid Class Association. A former commodore and member of Foynes Yacht Club as well as Tralee Bay Sailing Club, the avid boat builder was never far from the sea, even in his later years at his Tarbert home.

Co owner of the class winning Dehler Optima 101 yacht 'Disaray' on Ireland's west coast, Mr McGibney was also a member of the West of Ireland Off Shore Racing Association (WIORA) of which his son Simon is Commodore. He was also involved with and a member of the historic Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland.

Most notably in 2005, aged 77, the able seaman and mariner was the leader of the assault to the Scottish Sailing Series - Tarbert to Tarbert with three generations involved.

At 85 and the beloved husband of the late Ita, Charlie McGibney peacefully passed away leaving behind a wide circle of family and friends. He is survived by daughter Carol; sons, Thomas, George, Gerard, John Raymond, Damien, Rory and Simon, inlaews, grand children and great children.

It is to the land he may lay, but it is to the sea he will look as Mr McGibney's final resting place is at St Mary's New Cemetery following requiem mass at the adjoining church in Tarbert.

Donations, if desired to the RNLI.

Ar dheis de go raibh an anam.

#rescue – Clifden RNLI in county Galway has rescued four fish farmers after they got into difficulty in extreme weather conditions this afternoon.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat at 1.44pm today (Wednesday 12 February) following a request by Malin Head Coast Guard to go to the assistance of four fish farmers who were stranded at the mouth of Clifden Bay.

With the weather conditions deteriorating, the men who were working in the bay, made the call for help.

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 from Sligo was also tasked.

There were westerly gusts at the time and the tide was ebbing creating a large sea state.

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the lifeboat helmed by Bernard Whelan and with crew members Kenneth Flaherty, Robert King and Thomas Davis onboard, launched from the calm side of the beach in the shelter of the shore and proceeded westward out to Clifden Bay.

Arriving on scene, the crew observed three of the fish farmers on a 16ft boat which was tied to a fish cage. The Clifden RNLI crew transferred the three men from the vessel onto the lifeboat before taking the fourth fish farmer off the large cage. The lifeboat then returned the four men safely to shore.

Speaking following the call out, Saul Joyce, Clifden RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: 'This was a challenging call out given the gusty weather conditions the lifeboat crew was presented with today. The four casualties who are experienced fish farmers were working when the stormy conditions took over and they made the right decision to call for help. The crew used their skill and training to good effect and we are delighted to have brought all four safely back to shore.'

#lifeboat – The first of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) newest class of lifeboat, the Shannon, goes on station in the UK this month.

The Shannon is the first RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be powered by water jets instead of propellers, making it the most agile all-weather lifeboat in the charity's fleet. The lifeboat's water jets not only ensure it is the RNLI's most manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat, but they also allow the Shannon to reach casualties in harder to reach places and in shallower waters.

The first boat will arrive at Dungeness lifeboat station in Kent on Friday 21 February 2014.

Capable of 25 knots, the Shannon is 50% faster than the lifeboats it will replace - meaning casualties will be reached quicker.

#rnli – Volunteer lifeboat crew with Lough Derg RNLI pulled a man from the Nenagh river this afternoon after they had received reports that he had fallen from his kayak and was being pushed down the fast flowing river. Members of the emergency services including the Gardai and local fire crew had tried unsuccessfully to recover the man from the side of the river and called on the RNLI lifeboat crew from Lough Derg to launch and help rescue him.

The lifeboat had to navigate the difficult waters of the Nenagh river which were strewn with debris following the recent bad weather. The kayaker was observed to be semi-conscious and was turning in the water when the lifeboat crew arrived on scene.

The RNLI volunteers spotted the man just past the Annabeg bridge. Two of the three lifeboat crew recovered the casualty over the side of the inshore lifeboat and he was immediately brought back to the station at Dromineer.

The lifeboat crew administered first aid en route. They were met by a waiting ambulance and the Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon. The paramedic gave the casualty first aid and a decision was made to transfer him by helicopter to hospital for treatment.

Commenting on the callout Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat helm Eleanor Hooker said, "This was an extremely serious situation and one where every second counted. If he had not been spotted and help had not reached him when it did he was in serious danger of being pulled under by the current. All the emergency services worked together to try and recover him as the speed with which he was being dragged down the river was increasing rapidly.

Our thoughts are with him and we hope he makes a full recovery after his ordeal.'

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI was delighted to welcome members of the Wicklow Kilmantin Arts Group, who presented a cheque for €500 to the station last Friday (31 January).

The money was raised during a recent art auction in Wicklow, and the local artists' group wanted some of the proceeds to go to a local charity.

Mary De Courcy, chairperson of the fundraising branch, accepted the generous donation on behalf of the station.

Speaking after the presentation, Wicklow RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said the station was delighted to receive the gift "especially on SOS Day, one of the RNLI’s main fundraising days."

SOS Day is the annual RNLI crew fundraising day and stations all over the country host innovative and novel ways of fundraising incorporating the SOS initials.

In Northern Irelabd, supporters of Portrush Lifeboat Station jumped into the sea at Portrush Harbour and swam round the station's all-weather lifeboat, the William Gordon Burr.

The weather was bitterly cold but didn’t deter the crowd that turned up to do their bit.

1. RNLI coxswain Des Austin explained: "This is a fun event that involves our crew, fundraisers, and a great local crowd who turn out irrespective of the weather to support the volunteer lifeboat crew.

"The crew themselves take part and their colleagues and on standby to give them a friendly push and also to haul them in at the end of the swim."

The man with the megaphone for the event was Robin Cardwell, Portrush RNLI lifeboat operations manager. All swimmers were counted out and counted back in again.

The crew thanked Coleraine Borough Council for their use of Waterworld for everyone to get a hot shower after their swim, as well as the RNLI lifeguards and the local coastguard team, who provided safety cover for the event.

After the event everyone was treated to homemade soup and sandwiches in Portrush Yacht Club, and a special SOS cake made by crew member Claudia McAlpin.

Just hours after the annual Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat dinner dance ended on Friday night, a combination of high tide and heavy swell caused damage to Bundoran Lifeboat Station.

Crew began to arrive at the lifeboat station at around 7.20am and discovered the damage as the seas had broken down the main front door as well as the bottom panel in the large doors, behind which the lifeboat is kept.

Ahead of high tide again on Saturday evening, as a precautionary measure the lifeboat was moved to higher ground but remained on service throughout the period.

Lifeboat Operations Manager for Bundoran RNLI Tony McGowan said 'despite the force of the sea, we only suffered a small amount of damage and we are happy to note that the lifeboat itself wasn't damaged and remained available for service. It was an early start following the dinner dance on Friday night and we would like to thank all of those who turned out on the morning. I would also like to point out, having viewed CCTV of the time of the impact, it was remarkable how one big surge which was at least two metres higher than the rest caused the damage. It is easy to see how people can be caught out in such conditions and I would urge people to keep well away from the water in such circumstances.'

#RNLI - The Irish Independent says that the RNLI wants a meeting with the Irish Coast Guard over an incident off Dublin last weekend that it was not called to attend.

According to reports, the coastguard sent its closest rescue helicopter from Dublin Airport to attend an emergency on the fishing trawler Fragrant Cloud in Killiney Bay, despite the availability of an RNLI lifeboat crew in nearby Dun Laoghaire.

More on this story as it develops.