#RNLI - Holyhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched last evening (Monday 22 May) after a man fell ill on board his sailing boat in the Irish Sea.

The station’s Severn class Christopher Pearce launched at 6.25pm after the man, who was sailing for the port of Holyhead in North Wales, had become ill and made the correct decision to call for help.

Due to the vessel’s location, a large tanker diverted from its course to shelter the stricken craft.

Once the lifeboat arrived minutes later, one volunteer was transferred onto the boat with the lone sailor, who was able to rest while the RNLI crew took his 27ft vessel in tow.

About 20 minutes into the tow, the crew member aboard reported the sailor’s condition was worsening and he was developing chest pains and breathing issues.

The tow was then released and the lifeboat went back alongside to transfer another crew member aboard with more medical equipment.

The casualty’s condition continued to worsen and the need for an immediate evacuation of was needed, so the casualty was transferred to the lifeboat ahead of a medevac by helicopter from HM Coastguard while his boat was brought into Holyhead.

Coxswain Tony Price said: “All at Holyhead RNLI are hoping the man made a swift recovery.”

#RNLI - Arranmore RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was called out to assist two people in a boat with engine failure off the coast of Glen Head in Co Donegal on Saturday evening (20 May).

The stricken vessel, which had left Bunbeg and was on its way to Sligo, developed engine trouble and was taking in water so dropped anchor off Glen Head until the volunteer lifeboat crew arrived in scene to secure a tow rope and bring to Burtonport, where is now in dry dock for repairs.

Speaking following the callout, Arranmore RNLI coxswain Jimmy Early said the crew did the right thing calling out the lifeboat when they got into difficulty.

“As we approach the summer we would remind anyone heading to sea to always respect the water.

“When going out to sea for pleasure or business, make sure you have adequate fuel, that your boat is in good repair, you wear safety equipment, and have ways of contacting the emergency services.

“Tell someone on shore when you are going out, where you are going and your estimated time of arrival back.”

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI lifeboat pagers were activated at 12.24pm on Tuesday afternoon (16 May) after a cyclist had fallen from the quayside onto the Strand beach at Wicklow Harbour.

The volunteer inshore lifeboat crew were on scene within minutes and were met by ambulance personnel on the beach, who were assessing the casualty,

Due to the difficult rocky terrain of the beach and the rising tide, the lifeboat crew prepared a stretcher to transport the casualty by boat to the nearby slip.

With the arrival of an Irish Coast Guard cliff rescue unit, it was decided instead to use their specialist climbing equipment to winch the casualty off the beach by stretcher.

Many of the lifeboat crew had also assembled at the Strand and began to assist with the stretcher extraction.

The casualty was lifted from the beach up onto the road, and brought to hospital by a waiting ambulance.

“Our volunteer crew would like to wish the man a speedy recovery from his fall,” said lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover, adding: “This was also the first call out for our new inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey, which was officially named earlier this month.”

#RNLI - Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was called out at 11.30am yesterday morning (Wednesday 17 May) to go to the aid of a 70ft fishing vessel that sought assistance 10 miles south east of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.

Under coxswain Sean O'Farrell with a crew of six, the lifeboat launched immediately and reached the stricken vessel at 12.15pm.

The fishing boat, with four people on board, had encountered difficulties with its power and other mechanical failure while trawling in the area and required help.

On scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the difficulties and took the fishing vessel in tow. Both boats arrived back into Kinsale at 4pm.

Conditions at sea were reasonable, with winds in the area blowing Force 3-4 but rising from early afternoon.

Dermot O'Mahony, Courtmacsherry RNLI deputy launching authority, commented after the callout: “We are so pleased that our lifeboat was again fast away today with our ever ready volunteers always available and that the rescue was carried out with skill and precision.”

#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI’s lifeboat crew were alerted by the Irish Coast Guard on Monday morning (8 May) when four people and their dog on board a 40ft motor cruiser ran aground on the Long Shoal near the eastern shore of Lough Ree.

The alarm was raised just after 10.30am and shore crew Tony Diskin, Matt Harte, Billy Henshaw and Denis Buckley responded quickly, reading The Eric Rowse for launch in less than 15 minutes with first responders Denis Begley, Stan Bradbury and Emmet Devereaux on board.

A short time later, the lifeboat crew was alongside the casualty vessel, checking that all on board were uninjured and wearing lifejackets.

Weather conditions the time were dry and sunny, with a Force 3 easterly breeze and a slight swell on the lake.

After checking that the motor cruiser was not taking on water, a tow line was established and the vessel was safely towed to deeper navigable water, from where its proceeded under its own power north towards Lanesboro.

Speaking after the callout, Lough Ree RNLI volunteer Denis Begley reminded cruisers on Lough Ree and other inland navigations to consult their charts regularly for rocky places like the Long Shoal in otherwise deep navigable areas.

#RNLI - A week of engine troubles around the Irish coast continued yesterday morning (Tuesday 9 May) when Baltimore RNLI went to the aid of a fishing boat on passage from France to Kerry.

The lifeboat launched to the vessel at 7.10am, taking it under tow to Baltimore where it was brought alongside the pier at 10.40am.

The crew on the lifeboat call were coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Cathal Cottrell, Colin Whooley, Don O’Donovan, Jerry Smith, Kieran Collins and David Ryan.

Yesterday’s callout came after Skerries RNLI launched to a motor boat in difficulty off Rockabill on Sunday, and the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat assisted a motor yacht off the Wicklow coast last Wednesday.

#Swimming - This year’s Dunmore East RNLI Open Water Swim sponsored by Activate and Lidl will take place on Saturday 20 May.

Entry is €25 for any of three swims over distances of 1600m, 800m and a junior swim of 500m, starting at 12.30pm from the slip behind Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in Dunmore East.

“We had such a successful event last we are really looking forward to this year’s event,” said Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat crew member Neville Murphy.

“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country with a stunning coastline, and it is the perfect location for this type of event.

“Let’s hope the weather is as good as last year and we have as many participants, which in turn will help us raise funds for the RNLI and their lifesaving work.”

This year’s event promised a fun-filled family atmosphere with balloon making, face painting and much more children’s entertainment, and a BBQ for swimmers and their supporters alike.

All prizegiving will take place at the newly refurbished Waterford Harbour Sailing Club after the completion of all three swims, with music entertainment will be provided by DJ Frankie McAvoy.

For more information about the Dunmore East RNLI Open Water Swim and to register online, go to www.athleticstiming.com.

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI assisted a motor boat with two men aboard that was experiencing engine difficulties at Rockabill Lighthouse on Sunday afternoon (7 May).

Dublin Coast Guard tasked Skerries RNLI shortly after 12.30pm after receiving a call from a motor boat that was having difficulty getting their engine to start.

The lifeboat was launched with volunteer Philip Ferguson at the helm and crewed by Paddy Dillon, Steven Johnson and JP Tanner.

They proceeded on a course to Rockabill, and once on scene they located a 5m motor boat with two men on board that had become entangled in a lobster pot.

Following some troubleshooting advice from the lifeboat helm, a former RNLI mechanic, the men managed to successfully restart the engine. The lifeboat then stood by while they tested that everything was running smoothly.

With the men happy to be on their way again, the lifeboat returned to base and was made ready for the next call out.

Lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: “Sometimes, even though you are fully prepared you can just be unlucky. In this case their luck changed quickly as Philip used his experience to get them moving again. Our volunteers are always ready to help in whatever way they can.”

#Missing - Police Scotland confirmed that two bodies were recovered from the Irish Sea in the search for a speedboat missing off the Scottish coast, according to Yachting & Boat World.

RNLI lifeboats and coastguard volunteers from Northern Ireland were involved in the search for the speedboat and its two occupants off Dumfries and Galloway, as reported yesterday on Afloat.ie.

#Missing - RNLI lifeboats from Bangor and Donaghadee have joined the search for a speedboat with two men missing off the Scottish coast, as BBC News reports.

Coastguard volunteers from Bangor are also part of the emergency operation launched last night (Saturday 6 May) when the two men failed to return to Port Logan in Dumfries and Galloway.

Searches for the missing vessel, thought to be an 18ft black Fletcher speedboat, are concentrated off the Mull of Galloway for the time being.

BBC News has more on the story HERE.