Volunteer lifeboat crew with Dun Laoghaire RNLI, Rory Bolton and Dr. Sarah Brookes, set sail on a new life together after tying the knot this weekend. The couple shared the big day with family and friends and their eighteen-month old daughter Alice before being brought in style to their reception on board the Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat.

Love blossomed for the couple after senior lifeboat helm Rory left Lifeboat Medical Advisor Sarah out of a crew training email and she let him know she was not impressed. He responded by sending her a very special invite to station training and a quick coffee after the exercise saw the pair eventually falling for each other. Rory popped the question over a game of scrabble, spelling out the words asking Sarah to be his bride and the rest is history.

Sarah was no stranger to the RNLI when she volunteered for the lifeboat in 2009. Her late father Dr. Donald Brookes was the station’s previous Lifeboat Medical Advisor, a volunteer position that looks after the lifeboat crew’s medicals and can also offer medical assistance on a lifeboat callout. Rory is the senior helm on the inshore lifeboat and the third mechanic at the station, he has volunteered with the life-saving charity since 2000.

Since the couple have had their beautiful daughter Alice, Sarah has stepped back from her role on the lifeboat but still carries out her medical duties for the station. The big day would not have been complete without a lifeboat connection and the couple arrived to their reception on board the all-weather lifeboat courtesy of their colleagues with Dun Laoghaire RNLI.

Commenting on the day the proud groom Rory Bolton said, ‘Thankfully there wasn’t a lifeboat callout at the time or we would have had to keep our guests waiting while we went to help. Both Sarah and I love volunteering for the RNLI and of course it’s even more special now as it’s how we met.’

Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Wynne added, ‘On behalf of everyone at Dun Laoghaire RNLI we would like to wish Rory and Sarah a long and happy life together. They are both fantastic volunteers and I’m delighted that it was our lifeboat station that brought them together.’

The lifeboat involvement did not stop there however, as Dun Laoghaire RNLI received a callout later that night while the reception was in full swing. Groom Rory left his new wife’s side to race down to the lifeboat station metres away but Coxswain Mark McGibney sent him straight back as he had a full crew complement and felt that Rory deserved his wedding night off-call.

Lifeboat crew with Larne RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat this afternoon (Saturday 5 September) at 3.05pm following a report that a 24 ft yacht with three people onboard was in difficulty south of Muck Island. The request to launch was received from Belfast coastguard.

The all-weather lifeboat, Dr. John McSparran, under Coxswain Robert Rice was immediately launched and underway. The yacht with three people onboard was experiencing engine difficulty in challenging conditions.

Once on scene a lifeboat crew member was transferred onboard the yacht and a tow line was set up. Conditions were challenging with winds registering force 6 and a rough sea. The yacht was then towed to safety into Larne lough and secured to a mooring.

Commenting on the callout Larne RNLI Coxswain Robert Rice said, ‘While the yacht was suffering engine difficulties, the weather made the callout extremely challenging. Thankfully an experienced lifeboat crew were on scene to ensure that a tow could be safely established and the vessel brought to safety quickly and with no casualties.’

#lifeboat – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist a person on board a 30ft–cruiser with engine failure by Terryglass Harbour, at the northern end of Lough Derg last night.

At 11.55pm Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist a lone boatman, whose 30ft–cruiser had suffered engine failure and drifted into reeds by Terryglass Harbour, at the northern end of Lough Derg. Winds were northerly backing westerly, Force 4, visibility was good.

The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Keith Brennan and Lorna Walsh on board, was alongside the casualty vessel at 12.20pm. The elderly person on board was safe, unharmed and wearing his lifejacket, but agitated about his predicament.

An RNLI volunteer crossed over to the casualty vessel and reassured the person before checking the boat for damage. The Lifeboat took the cruiser under tow to one of the floating pontoons in Terryglass harbour.

Lifeboat crewman Jason Freeman, who was in Terryglass at the time, took lines and helped secure the casualty vessel.

Brendan O'Brien, Deputy Launching Authority advises skippers to 'ensure their boat has fresh fuel and is well serviced before going afloat'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 2.45pm.

#RespectTheWater – The RNLI is today launching its national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, warning people that the coastlines and waters can be dangerously unpredictable. The campaign which will be run on radio, outdoor and online will also see two hard-hitting ads screened in Irish cinemas over the summer months, which show the effect of cold water shock on the body and the unpredictability of the water.

Figures released by the charity today show an average of 59 people die in Irish waters each year – more than the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on Ireland's roads.

In 2014 alone, 55 people died by accidental drowning in Irish waterways. The number of near-misses is even higher – last year the RNLI's lifeboat crews around the Republic of Ireland rescued 1,133 people and saved 36 lives.

The RNLI is aiming to halve the number of coastal deaths by 2024 and the charity's national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, is warning people – particularly adult men – to be aware of the dangers of the coastline, as well as the water itself.

The two 60 second commercials will screen in Irish and UK cinemas over the next eight weeks. The first film entitled 'Breathe' is shown from the point of view of the casualty, played by an actor. The narrator invites the audience to hold its breath while watching the film, as the casualty struggles and succumbs to the effects of cold water shock in the time the audience is holding their breath. The film reveals that, on land, the average person can hold their breath for 45 seconds – but in cold water, they might not last 10.

The second film called 'unpredictable' is again shown from the perspective of a casualty, played by an actor and shows the unpredictability of the water and how quickly conditions can turn. Both films have received a 15 age rating.
(N.B. Please note videos contain scenes that some viewers may find distressing)

Joe Moore, RNLI Coastal Safety Manager for Ireland, says: 'We're warning people that if they're going near the water, whatever their activity, they could be at risk and they need to take care. A large number of incidents which happen each year involve people who never even intended to enter the water – slips and falls while walking or running are very common. Unexpected dangers like slippery rocks, sudden waves or unstable ground can catch anyone out.'

The charity is also warning people of the unpredictability of the water, including the dangers of cold water and rip currents. Summer air temperatures may be warm but the average sea temperature is just 12oc. Cold water shock, which causes uncontrollable gasping and numbs the limbs, can set in at any temperature below 15oc.

Rips are strong currents of water which can quickly drag people out of their depth. They account for around two-thirds of the environmental-related incidents lifeguards respond to each year. For those not at a lifeguarded beach, being caught in a rip can prove fatal if they don't take the right steps to free themselves and make it safely to shore.

Joe Moore added: 'The water might look inviting, but it can be dangerously unpredictable, with hazards which can be fatal if not respected. Cold water is a major risk for anyone who ends up in the water – intentionally or otherwise. The body's reaction to sudden immersion in cold water will trigger uncontrollable gasping, which can draw water into the lungs and lead to drowning. The coldness will also gradually shut down the use of limbs, making it very difficult even for strong swimmers to stay afloat.

'We want people to enjoy the water but to make sure they respect it. On average 59 lives are lost around the coast of the Republic of Ireland each year but many of these losses could be avoided if people acknowledge the dangers and follow some basic safety advice.'

The RNLI's Respect the Water campaign, warning people of the dangerously unpredictable nature of our seas and coastlines, will run across Ireland and the UK during the summer, through advertising channels including cinema, outdoor, radio and online.

The charity is also running a number of tailored safety programmes, targeted at those who participate in the activities which account for a large number of coastal incidents each year.
Those interested in finding out more about the dangers of the coast can visit the Respect the Water website and see for themselves at www.rnli.org/respectthewater

#rnli – Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 4.40pm Monday 29th June to reports of four men in two kayaks in difficulties one mile north of Howth harbour with one of the men in need of medical assistance.

The pagers sounded to launch the inshore lifeboat on Monday 29th June to come to the assistance of reports of 4 men in 2 kayaks with one of the men in need of medical assistance.

The casualty had been kayaking with his 3 friends when one of the kayaks overturned throwing the occupants into the water. The man was not wearing a wetsuit or a buoyancy aid and was suffering from the onset of hypothermia.

The lifeboat located the casualties within 4 minutes of launching and took all 4 men aboard the lifeboat with the kayaks in tow and treated the casualty for hypothermia at the scene.

Volunteer lifeboat helm; Ian Martin said "The casualty was in this instance extremely lucky as without a proper wetsuit his core body temperature was dropping very fast and this could have been very serious. We urge all kayakers to have the proper clothing, wetsuits and lifejackets before heading out to sea"

#rnli – The RNLI held its Annual Presentation of Awards at the Guinness Storehouse on Saturday where the charity presented 55 awards to volunteers, groups and businesses from across the country that have made a significant contribution to the RNLI in Ireland through their commitment, dedication and support.

Guest of honour at the ceremony was Leesa Harwood, RNLI Director of Community Lifesaving and Fundraising. Also present was David Delamer, Chairperson of the RNLI Council in Ireland, who welcomed the volunteers and supporters to the ceremony. RNLI Irish Council members Terence Johnson and Peter Killen were also in attendance and the citations for each awardee were read by Emma Gibson RNLI Area Manager and Owen Medland RNLI Divisional Operations Manager for Ireland central.

In her address to the guests Ms Harwood said that the awards were a 'celebration of the difference that the volunteers and supporters had all made to the lives of others.'

'Our charity made an extraordinary difference in 2014. I am very proud to tell you that last year, together, we saved 460 lives. Today we celebrate not just those whose lives we saved, but the people who made this incredible number possible. We celebrate remarkable fundraising feats and decades of lifesaving service given by volunteers. And we say thank you.'

Turning to the RNLI's work in Ireland she continued, 'In Ireland we completed a new trial station at Union Hall in county Cork, and the facilities needed to trial an all-weather lifeboat at Clifden, county Galway. With the backing of their local communities, these vital projects mean we can respond to the changing demands of search and rescue on the water, test new ideas and ultimately save more lives around our coastline.'

Awardees were present from across Ireland representing lifeboat stations and branches in Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Mayo, Kildare and Wexford.

One of the biggest awards of the evening went to the people of Kinvara who took home the Group Supporter Award. A short film was screened showing the incredible support the community gives to the RNLI. The small Galway village came together in 2006 to raise funds for Galway lifeboat station and since then over €100,000 has been raised with every member of the community getting involved.

The highest award to be presented to an RNLI volunteer during the evening was a Bar to Gold Badge, which was received by Ms Patricia Foot. Patricia from Mallow was recognised for her role in fundraising for the RNLI for over half a century.

The recipient of the Branch Support Award went to Dungarvan RNLI. The hard working branch holds a number of successful events throughout the year both alone and in partnership with other stations and groups including the Dungarvan swim and the RNLI Reindeer Run in Fota Park.

Further to these awards ten Gold Badges, twelve Silver Badges and fourteen Bronze Badges were presented to volunteers along with a number of Inscribed Statuettes and Supporter Awards.

Ms Melanie McCaughey received a Supporter Award. Melanie from Howth completed the Paris to Nice cycle in 2014 which consisted of 700km over six days. To date she has raised €10,000 for Howth lifeboat station. 

Mr Russell Rafter from Howth Lifeboat Management Group received a Silver Badge. Russell helps to cement the link between the fundraising and operations aspects of Howth RNLI in his role as Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group. He supports the Lifeboat Operations Manager in the running of the station and also helps in fundraising by collecting on their annual flag day in the Howth area. He is an extremely active Chairman.

Ms Maura Farrell received a Scroll of Thanks. Maura along with her small committee organises the very successful ladies lunch in Howth which is one of the highlights of the fundraising calendar. The lunch raises in excess of €10,000 annually. Maura, whose father was the Howth Coxswain, together with family and friends are great supporters of the RNLI.

Ms Kalanne O'Leary from Skerries Station Branch received an Inscribed Statuette. Kalanne is a busy solicitor but when it comes to Skerries lifeboat she is never too busy to support in her role as Deputy Launching Authority. She supports the Operations team in all their duties.

#lifeboat – In the early hours of this morning Lough Swilly RNLI rescued three fishermen who had been reported missing after they failed to return home. It was the first rescue for Lough Swilly RNLI's new Shannon class lifeboat and her volunteer crew.

The callout occurred after the three fishermen from the Malin area took out a small fishing boat to test the engine just after 7.30pm last night. The alarm was raised before midnight when they had not returned and had failed to make contact with anyone on shore.

In a major search operation Malin Head Coast Guard requested Lough Swilly RNLI to launch both the Shannon class lifeboat and the inshore Atlantic lifeboat, along with the Portrush RNLI all-weather lifeboat and the Greencastle Coast Guard shore based unit. The groups were also joined by a large contingent of local fishing vessels from the Malin and Glengad area.

Conditions were described as choppy when at 2.30am the missing fishermen managed to make a call and give an approximate location. Lough Swilly RNLI's Shannon class lifeboat then picked up a small spot on their radar and headed for the area with large searchlights trained on the water. They located the men safe and well and wearing survival suits and lifejackets. The vessel has lost power and had drifted 12 miles.

Commenting on the callout John McCarter Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said, 'You fear the worst when you hear fishermen are missing and we have seen too many tragedies in this part of the world. However the men kept their heads and were in proper survival gear which gave them every chance if something happened. The outpouring of support from the local fishing community was wonderful and bringing the vessel home under tow behind the lifeboat, to be greeted by locals lining the pier at that early hour of the morning was an incredible sight.

In this first rescue for our new Shannon class lifeboat, the time it took for us to reach the search area has been reduced on what our previous lifeboat could achieve, which in search and rescue operations can mean the difference between a life saved or a life lost.'

#lifeboat – The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat under Coxswain Sean O Farrell was called out at 7.10 pm yesterday evening to answer a distress call from a yacht that was reported in difficulties off the West Cork Coast, as it's single female sailor onboard had reported a brief message that she was in trouble writes Vincent Donovan. The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat with a crew of seven were away immediately and proceeded to carry out a search of the area along with the Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat and the Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 117.
The Casuality was located in difficulties 10 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale and The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat took the yacht in tow and has now arrived back to the safe surrounds of Courtmacsherry Pier.
The yacht was taking part in a race from Falmouth, England to Baltimore when she lost steering and power. Conditions at sea today were windy force 5/6. The relieved skipper from Plymouth was glad to be on land tonight after a tiring four day journey in challenging conditions.
It was the second Callout of the evening for the Courtmacsherry crew as it was called out earlier at 6pm today to go to the aid of a 40 ft pleasure fishing boat that encountered difficulties off the Seven Heads in Courtmacsherry Bay. The Lifeboat had just towed the fishing boat back to Courtmacsherry Pier when the second Callout came from Valentia Coastguard. The Station's Voluntary Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dywer was loud in his praise of the Lifeboat crew this evening and commented that ' it was a great example of Lifeboats and The Coastguard Helicopter acting quickly to locate the stricken Yacht and carry out an important rescue'

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist 4 people on board a 24ft yacht, aground in Sandy Bottom in Dromineer Bay last night.

At 8.03pm, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist four people on board a 24ft yacht, aground in Sandy Bottom, in Dromineer Bay.

The lifeboat launched at 8.12pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Owen Cavanagh and Dean O'Sullivan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 3, visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser at 8.13pm. Local boat owners had attempted to offer assistance, but found themselves in danger of grounding.

An RNLI volunteer waded in to the yacht, aground in two foot of water. He found that the four people on board were safe and unharmed. Once he established that vessel was not taking on water, he set up a bridle, and the lifeboat took the yacht under tow to Dromineer Harbour.

Brendan O'Brien, Deputy Launching Authority, advises all boat users to note that 'water levels on the lake are particularly low at the moment and to bear this in mind when passage planning'. He also suggests asking locals for advice if uncertain.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 9.20pm.

#rnli – Lifeboat crew with Union Hall RNLI had their third callout in a week when launched on Saturday afternoon (13 June 2015) to bring a 44–ft yacht with two crew onboard to safety after it reported engine problems off Galley Head.

The crew onboard the yacht raised the alarm with Valentia Coast Guard after they realised they were expiring severe engine trouble and they feared they would not be able to bring the vessel to safety. The Union Hall lifeboat was launched at 4.44pm and was on scene in thirty minutes.

Conditions were overcast with an easterly wind when the lifeboat took the yacht under tow into Glandore Harbour and ensured the two men were safely ashore.

Commenting on the callout Union Hall RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Peter Deasy said, 'It's been a busy week for the volunteer lifeboat crew with three callouts. Thankfully everyone was safe. Engine problems can happen to anyone and it is always advisable to call for assistance. The crew of the yacht were concerned that they would have difficulty making it safety to shore alone. The weather was not ideal in this case and they made the right call.

Yesterday's callout follows on from two incidents earlier in the week when the Union Hall RNLI crew launched following reports that a paddle boarder had disappeared from view and before that when an 18ft pleasure boat got into difficulty off the coast of West Cork.