#lifeboat – At 1.20pm, Thursday afternoon, June 11, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist five people on board a 49ft (15m) yacht reported aground by Castletown Harbour on the County Clare shore.

The lifeboat launched at 1.30pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Keith Brennan and Lorna Walsh on board. Winds were northeasterly, Force 2/3, visibility was very good.

After a thorough search, the lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard they did not locate a vessel matching the description given, in either Castletown Harbour or Dromane Harbour, close by. The lifeboat was requested to travel south and check another location at Church Bay, on the Clare shore. The lifeboat located the cruiser at Parkers Point, on the Tipperary Shore, it had suffered engine failure, the water depth at their location was 14.9ft.

All five people were safe and unharmed, they were requested to put on their lifejackets. An RNLI volunteer was transferred across to the casualty vessel, where he reassured everyone. He established that in addition to engine failure, the boat had no steering.

The cruiser was taken under tow to the closest harbour, Garrykennedy, where it was safely tied alongside.

Deputy Launching Authority, Peter Kennedy praised the lifeboat volunteers saying, 'the dealt with the challenge very efficiently, considering the size of the boat, and given its total loss of power and steering'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 3.20pm.

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist two people on board a 26ft–yacht, aground east of Mountshannon Harbour last night.

At 7.57pm on Friday evening, June 6, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people on board a 23ft yacht, aground east of Mountshannon Harbour.

The lifeboat launched at 8.08pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Dean O'Sullivan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 6, gusting 7, visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser at 8.27pm. The two people were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. Killaloe Coast Guard were on scene and had arranged for their D-class lifeboat to take the yacht off the rocks. Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg Lifeboat to remain on standby on scene, until the vessel was off the rocks and safely tied alongside at Mountshannon.

Deputy Launching Authority, Pat Garland, 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'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 10.50pm.

#lifeboat – A brave Dun Laoghaire inshore lifeboat trio have been honoured with an RNLI award for a difficult rescue off Sandymount last year. Helmsman Rory Bolton along with Dan O'Sullivan and Damien Payne have received 'special recognition' and a framed Letter of Thanks.

As Afloat.ie reported at the time, the trio rescued a kitesurfer in hazardous weather off Sandymount when the person was unable to get ashore in dangerous surf conditions.

The D-Class Inshore lifeboat launched from the ILB Boathouse at Dun Laoghaire's East Pier on the morning of New Year's Day as winds gusted to Gale Force 8.

After assessing conditions on Dublin Bay, the lifeboat proceeded towards the Booterstown end of Sandymount Strand where the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit could see the casualty in the breaking surf. The kitesurfer was taken on board the lifeboat and reunited with his family back at the lifeboat station. Medical attention was not needed.

The Director of Operations for the RNLI George Rawlinson noted that the "poor visibility, gale force winds and rough seas of up to four metres" were particularly challenging.

Recovery of the casualty from the breaking surf required the best standards of helmsmanship by Rory Bolton. Excellent seamanship ensured a safe and effective operation at the limits of the ILB's capabilities.

The award was presented to Rory Bolton who accepted it on behalf of the crew by Owen Medland, Divisional Operations Manager at the lifeboat station in Dun Laoghaire.

The D-Class Inshore lifeboat (ILB) is a fast, fully-inflatable boat equipped with VHF Radio and electronic navigation as well as First Aid equipment. The D-Class at Dun Laoghaire performs around half of the station's annual call-outs. In 2014, Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched 56 times and brought 55 people to safety.

#rnli – No tea. No coffee. No fizzy drinks. No wine. No beer. No orange juice. The RNLI is challenging people to give up all drinks except water for 10 days for the H2Only challenge to raise funds for the lifesaving charity.

Charlie Glynn from Kilrush RNLI is a helm at the Clare lifeboat station and he hopes that by undertaking the challenge that others might forego their beverages and stick to the water for the ten days.

The H2Only challenge runs from 5pm on Tuesday 2 June to 5pm on Friday 12 June, with participants giving up the drinks they love for 10 long days and drinking nothing but water throughout the challenge.

Commenting on the challenge Kilrush RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Charlie Glynn said, 'The H2Only challenge is extremely tough. I know that going 10 days without a morning cup of tea or coffee, a drink after work or a can of fizzy drink will be really hard but I hope that people will also see it as a healthy thing to do as well as supporting a charity that spends so much time helping people in trouble on the water.

'Every euro raised is so important to the RNLI. As a charity, we rely on the support and generosity of the public so that we can continue to save lives at sea. Everything we have at our lifeboat station from the lifeboat, to our kit right through to our training, has been funded through people giving generously to the charity. I'd encourage people to sign up to take on the H2Only challenge. Please stay on the water for those tough 10 days to help us stay on the water.'

Everyone who signs up to take on the challenge will receive a pack containing H2Only temporary tattoos to proudly display. The tattoos, which have a seafaring theme, last up to 10 days – so participants can show off their exclusive H2Only 'ink' while taking on the tough challenge.

Participants will be able to download the free H2Only app from Google Play and the Apple App Store from Tuesday 26 May. The app is designed to make the 10 days fun, with daily challenges being set and pictures and videos from other H2Only participants being shared. The Apple version of the app is also compatible with the new Apple Watch.

During the same 10 day H2Only challenge period last year, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards throughout Ireland and the UK saved 9 lives, with lifeboat crews launching 272 times and rescuing 289 people, while RNLI lifeguards attended 111 incidents and aided 189 people.

All those interested in taking on the challenge can sign-up now online at H2Only.org.uk.

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist two people on board a 30ft–cruiser, aground on the west side of the Corakeen Islands, near Dromineer Bay last night.

At 5.51pm on Sunday evening, May 17, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people on board a cruiser aground on the west side of the Corakeen Islands, near Dromineer Bay.

The lifeboat launched at 6pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Keith Brennan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 5, visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser at 6.05pm, and using local knowledge navigated through safe water to the casualty vessel. A local fisherman, who had raised the alarm, was alongside the cruiser and reassuring the two people on board, neither of whom spoke any English. He departed once the lifeboat was on scene. The water was shallow enough for a crew member to wade across to the boat. RNLI crew Ger Egan communicated that they should turn their engines fully off before he could approach the stern.

After a thorough inspection that showed that the boat was not taking on water, the cruiser was taken off the rocks and towed out into safe water. There the engine and props were confirmed in good working order. With an RNLI crew member remaining on board, the cruiser made way to Dromineer Harbour, where it was tied up alongside safely 6.50pm

Deputy Launching authority, Peter Kennedy advises all boat users to 'study your charts and plan your passage before setting out from port, and to know the navigation buoys on the lake.'

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 7.25pm.

#rnli – The RNLI has today announced that following a review of lifeboat cover in Northern Ireland, an additional all weather lifeboat will be put on service on the North Antrim Coast. This lifeboat will be based in Cushendall for a 24 month trial and will operate alongside the current inshore lifeboat at Red Bay RNLI.

The decision was made following the RNLI's Trustees agreement with the Operations Committee's in-depth review of lifeboat cover in the area. The RNLI carries out a five yearly review of all lifeboat stations, including the incidents its lifeboats launch to and the changing pattern of marine activities, to ensure existing and future lifeboat coverage is correct for the area.

The current Red Bay RNLI inshore lifeboat is operating in a place well known for strong tidal streams and rough sea conditions with the nearest all weather lifeboat stations based at Portrush (30 miles), Larne (17 miles) and Campbeltown (32 miles). All weather lifeboats can be operated safely in all conditions while inshore lifeboats usually operate closer to shore and cliffs, in shallower water and among rocks or caves. The RNLI felt that the provision of an extra all weather lifeboat in this area would meet the charity's 'concept of operations' on the North Coast.

The volunteer lifeboat crew at Red Bay RNLI have launched on 33 occasions in wind speeds of Force 5 or higher between 2008 and 2013, which resulted in 27 rescues and five people being saved. The addition of an all weather lifeboat in this location will ensure even greater coverage on the North Antrim Coast.

A lifeboat station was established in Cushendall on the Antrim coast between Larne and Ballycastle in 1972. Since then Red Bay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews have launched 516 times, brought 489 people to safety and saved 114 lives. Last year alone, Red Bay RNLI launched 22 times bringing 36 people to safety. Of those launches, six services were carried out in the hours of darkness.

Responding to the announcement, Paddy McLaughlin from Red Bay RNLI said: 'We are delighted that the RNLI have decided to trial an all weather lifeboat on the north coast, to be operated alongside our Atlantic 85 lifeboat. Our volunteer lifeboat crew can face some challenging conditions, which are sometimes on the margin of the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat. The provision of an additional all weather lifeboat on the north Antrim coast means our lifeboat crew can launch in all conditions, day or night, up to 100 miles off our coastline.'

Darren Byers, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager added: 'Our charity's priority is to save lives at sea and by conducting regular reviews of lifeboat cover around our coastline, we can ensure we provide the best possible search and rescue service.

'The co-location of the new lifeboat for a trial period of 24 months will allow us to assess the long-term value for this type of lifeboat while ensuring that the RNLI has the right type, balance and capability of lifeboats on the coast, to respond to all types of maritime emergencies.'

The timescale for the arrival of the all-weather lifeboat has yet to be confirmed but will coincide with the training of the volunteer lifeboat crew to meet the demands of their new vessel.

#rnli – Last Saturday, over sixty young sailors from the Irish National Sailing School (INSS) headed out on quite a miserable Saturday to participate in the annual Irish National Sailing School's Sail-A-Thon. Now in its sixth year of existence, the idea of the sail-a-thon is to give younger sailors the opportunity to raise vital funds for a selected charity that is relevant to them. In previous years, these sailors have raised fund for Our Lady's Children Hospital in Crumlin but this year and last year, they have chosen to raise funds for the RNLI in conjunction with their Mayday campaign.

The young sailors spent the previous month collecting sponsorship monies for them to partake in our non-stop Sail-A-Thon which saw young sailors from as young as 6 battle conditions in which most DBSC racing was cancelled for up to 6 hours non-stop sailing. With winds in excess of 32 kts and driving rain, our young sailors to the seas in our fleet of Squib dayboats with the slightly older sailors utilising our diverse fleet of Laser Picos, Hartley training boats and other double handed dinghies.

Sailors fulfilled their sponsorship duties and returned ashore for a presentation with local Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew-members, Jenny and Johnny of the RNLI coming over to receive the funds raised and also to educate our younger sailors about the importance of the RNLI and where their funds would be used.

At the final count, INSS announced the sailors raised €1,936 euros.

#lifeboat – The RNLI is appealing for Irish yacht sailors who have not yet taken part in the charity's new research project, which is exploring attitudes towards risk and safety, and the various ways in which yacht sailors participate in their sport, to complete the survey before it is finished this Thursday (30 April).

There has been a strong initial take up but the charity is hoping for more respondents in the final days. Every response given will help the RNLI understand why people get involved in sailing and how they behave when they are on the water so we can provide the most relevant and useful safety information to them

The research, which is supported by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) will look at what motivates sailors, how often they go to sea, their experience and training, awareness of potential hazards and use of safety procedures and equipment. The findings will be used to help develop tailored and relevant safety messages for the yacht sailing community.

An online questionnaire for yacht sailors in Ireland was launched at the end of March and is running for five weeks until 30 April. All of those who participate in yacht sailing who are based in Ireland – no matter how often or what level of experience – are encouraged to take part. The RNLI is asking people to log on to www.rnliyachtingIreland.substance.coop and complete the survey, which will take about 15 minutes.

The survey will also be supplemented by interviews with individual yacht sailors and yachting organisations as well as focus groups held in selected locations. The project will be undertaken by Substance research, a social research company who have produced research for the RNLI on a number of occasions, on behalf of the RNLI.

Pip Hare, RNLI Coastal Safety Manager, explains the reasoning behind the research project: 'The RNLI exists to save lives at sea – a large part of that role is trying to prevent incidents from happening in the first place by providing important safety information. We're always pleased to see people enjoying their leisure time at the coast and we want to help ensure they can take part in their chosen activity safely RNLI incident data shows lifeboat crews in Ireland have rescued almost 623 yacht sailors in the last five years.'

'We're working with the Irish Sailing Association to join expertise in coastal safety with experience of the sport. Once we have the results of the research, we will work together to develop the most suitable safety programmes and advice.'

All who participate in the survey are offered the option of free entry into a prize draw to win a McMurdo Fast Find personal locator beacon. A winner will be chosen at random on 31 May. Full terms and conditions for the prize draw, as well as further information about the study, can also be found through the above link.

#lifeboat – Just 24 hours after Newcastle RNLI named their new inshore lifeboat, the volunteer crew launched their all weather lifeboat to go the aid of a stranded speedboat. The volunteer lifeboat crew were called out yesterday (Sunday 26 April) after a distress call from a pleasure craft off the County down coast. The all weatherlifeboat crew were tasked by Belfast Coastguard at 6.06pmafter the skipper of the 18 foot vessel with 5 people on board reported his boat had lost power.

The Mersey class all weather lifeboatEleanor and BryantGirlingwas launched and quickly made way to the BaylinerBowrider. The speedboat suffered engine failure and was drifting along the coastline close to the MaggiesLeap area between Newcastle and Annalong. Upon arriving on scene a volunteer lifeboat crew member was put aboard the drifting vessel. A tow line was secured and the speedboat was brought back safely to Newcastle harbour.

Commenting on the callout, Newcastle RNLI Coxswain William Chambers said. "Sea conditions were smooth with a northerly Force 3 wind. The vessel had drifted almost a mile and was very close to the shore. We are happy we brought everyone back to safety. If the elements changed there was a risk the speedboat would have been pushed against the rocks. So we knew we had to act fast."

#rnli – A Donegal woman who lost her father in a fishing tragedy when she was just six weeks old is lending her support to Mayday, the RNLI's national fundraising campaign which runs from 1-4 May.

Almost 28 years on from the tragedy, Eimear McDaid recently met with Anthony Chambers, a volunteer lifeboat crew member from Portrush in county Antrim, who can remember the day when he joined in the search for two missing fishermen from a crew of five, off the coast of Donegal.

It was on the 20 September 1987, that 27-year-old David McDaid from Glengad in Malin said goodbye to wife Sally and baby daughter Eimear and went fishing for crab on the Boy Shaun, from Portleen Pier, on what was an idyllic day for fishing. The weather was mild and the water was calm as the boat headed for Inishtrahull Island just off the coast of Malin Head.

Around lunchtime, another boat which had been in recent contact with the Boy Shaun, noticed that the vessel was no longer in view.

Eimear takes up the story: 'From what I have learned, the skipper then attempted to contact the Boy Shaun by radio but got no response. Fearing the worst, he steamed off in the direction of where they had last seen the boat and discovered a small amount of debris and oil slick on the water where they had last seen the Boy Shaun. They had just a short time earlier spoke to the crew of the boat about them both heading back to land to get home in time to watch the All-Ireland GAA football final.'

The skipper immediately raised the alarm. The area of the oil slick was searched and one survivor was discovered clinging to a short plank of wood from the stricken vessel. Two bodies, one of which was David's, were subsequently found.

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch and began a search with their colleagues from the Coast Guard, and fishermen and volunteers who were in the area, for the two men who were still missing. Sadly however, it was not until a few months later that their bodies were found on the coast of Scotland.

'None of the five fishermen were wearing lifejackets that day,' Eimear continued, 'I was told the crew would have found them to be too cumbersome to work with. Thankfully, lifejackets have much improved since then, and they are now neater and easier to wear.

'It was a tragedy that changed the course of life for my mother and me. I have grown up without a father and without answers as to what caused the boat to sink on what was described as such an idyllic fishing day. As a result of the tragedy however, we both have a healthy respect for the sea. It is a powerful force and one not to be reckoned with.

'Four very experienced fishermen paid the ultimate price 28 years ago. We can only hope by sharing our story that we can encourage others to respect the water too, to wear lifejackets and to support those who work to help save lives at sea.'

Anthony Chambers, Portrush RNLI mechanic can recall the tragedy: 'It was a Sunday and what I can remember vividly is that the water was very calm. We responded to the call as we still do by rushing to the station and preparing ourselves within minutes for the lifeboat to launch. Once on scene we searched with many others for the two remaining fishermen but unfortunately we couldn't bring them home. It was a terrible tragedy for the families involved.

'In the 28 years that have passed, our lifeboat crews have been on many call outs in all sorts of weathers and have faced many different types of conditions. Thankfully, we have been able to save lives and bring many people to safety and that is always rewarding. However, it still remains just as difficult for us now as it did then, if we have to return to shore knowing that a family has lost a loved one and this tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of that.'

Eimear and Sally have come together with the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews to show their support for this year's RNLI Mayday fundraising campaign. From Friday 1 May until Monday 4 May, collections and fundraising events will be taking place throughout Ireland. The events will have a welly theme, in a nod to the yellow wellies – an essential piece of kit – worn by the RNLI's volunteer crew members. The charity is encouraging people to show their support by donating, buying and wearing a yellow welly pin badge or by using the hashtag #YellowWelly on social media.

'My mother and I are supporting the RNLI Mayday campaign because we know first-hand the importance of having a dedicated lifeboat service. My father wasn't saved that day, but thousands of other fathers, men and women have been brought home safe through their bravery. Each person they have brought back is a family member brought home.'

The yellow welly was chosen for the Mayday campaign as it is an essential piece of RNLI crew kit. Waterproof with steel-capped toes, the specially designed boots keep the volunteer crew's feet warm and dry while also protecting them in dangerous conditions on deck. During gale force winds, rain and ice, keeping a sure footing can mean the difference between life and death for the volunteers.

Lifeboat crews are on call every day, all year round. Many have full-time jobs and carry a pager with them at all times to alert them to a lifeboat call out.
Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews from Ireland's 45 lifeboat stations launched 1,089 times, rescuing 1,414 people.

To donate and for ideas on how to get involved with Mayday visit www.rnli.org/MAYDAY.

You can also text RNLIMAYDAY to 50300 to donate €4 if you are in the Republic of Ireland.*