The volunteer lifeboat crew of Clifden RNLI were tasked at 5.30pm on Monday (30 September) to carry out a medical evacuation from Inishbofin.

Under the command of coxswain James Mullen, Clifden’s all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was launched with Joe Acton, Kenny Flaherty, Shane Conneely and Chris Nee as crew.

The crew carried out casualty care on the patient, who was injured from a fall, and received a handover from fellow RNLI volunteer Ash Sweeney who is providing relief nursing on the island.

Once the patient was secure and comfortable on the lifeboat, he was transported back to Cleggan Pier and into an waiting ambulance for further treatment by paramedics.

The crew were also called out on Sunday afternoon (29 September) to investigate a local sailing boat that had broken free from moorings in Clifden Bay.

Clifden RNLI lifeboat operations manager Tony Casey said: “As the seasons and sea conditions are changing and we expect more wet and windy weather, now is a good time to remind all mariners to check their moorings and ensure their vessels are in good condition.

“Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of rescue call-outs to sailing and motor cruisers, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of RNLI lifeboat launches.

“Always wear an appropriate lifejacket. Always carry a means of calling and signalling for help. Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place and everybody has an onboard briefing — in particular on the location and use of the safety equipment, including the spare kill cord for powerboats. Lastly please never delay in calling for assistance — in Clifden RNLI we are ready to respond 24/7.”

On Friday evening 13 September, Mary Aldridge joined lifeboat crew, operations team, fundraising volunteers, family and friends at Wicklow Sailing Club for a special event to celebrate her retirement as lifeboat operations manager.

To mark Mary’s retirement, coxswain Nick Keogh presented a gift from the crew. Speaking at the event, he said: “Best of luck in retirement again, Mary, it was a pleasure working with you. On behalf of all at Wicklow RNLI, enjoy all your free time and the camper van.”

John Hayden of the fundraising branch presented Mary with a framed collage of photographs as a memento of her time at Wicklow RNLI.

Speaking about her time at Wicklow RNLI, Mary said: “On 29 June 2017, my Mam died. I was only a few months in the station as a launch authority. I was in Naas at the wake, and a friend sent me a picture of the station flag at half-mast in Wicklow. That meant so much to me, and I knew that Wicklow Lifeboat would become an important part of my life. Leila Aldridge is proudly remembered, and her name is displayed on Clifden Lifeboat.

“During my time as a launch authority and lifeboat operations manager, we had some difficult shouts. The boats were out for long hours searching and recovering in some cases, and in some cases not. The lives saved and the comfort to families was rewarding. The willingness of volunteers to turn out at all times is what we do. Sometimes, it was just the bare crew, but the boat always went.

“It is families, partners and kids that I want to thank. Without their support and love, we could not do what we do. It was great over the past seven-and-a-half years to see your kids growing up and, in some cases, joining the crew and fundraising team. To the crew and fundraisers no longer with us, We remember them.

“Best wishes to the new lifeboat operations manager Joe Healy; I know he will do a great job with the support of you all. It was an honour to serve with you all.”

Tributes were paid to Mary across social media pages, with Girvan Hickey of the fundraising branch posting: “Congratulations on your retirement Mary and every best wish for the future. Thank you for all you have done, your dedication and support for all members. You did everything with a smile.”

Wicklow RNLI said: “We want to thank Mary Aldridge sincerely for her dedication and commitment to our station. We hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement.”

Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of a fisherman on Wednesday (25 September) after their razor boat broke down nine miles north of Clogherhead in Co Louth.

The volunteer crew were requested by the Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to go to the fisherman’s aid shortly before 8am after they reported the boat’s engine had failed.

Under coxswain Tomas Whelahan with mechanic Barry Sharkey and crew members Brian Sharkey, Carol Holcroft, Derek Shevlin and Paraic Costell onboard, the all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Michael O’Brien was launched on what was a crisp autumn morning with calm sea conditions.

On arriving on scene near Gyles Quay on the Cooley Peninsula, nine miles north of Clogherhead, the crew proceeded to assess the situation.

The fisherman was found to be safe and well but due to the boat having sustained engine failure and unable to make any safe onward progress, it was decided that the best course of action was to establish a towline and bring the fishing vessel to the nearest safe place, at Port Oriel.

Speaking following the call-out, Whelahan­ said: “This was a straightforward call-out in good weather conditions and we were happy to help the fisherman as the boat had lost all power and they wouldn’t have made it back to shore safely unaided.

“We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to go prepared checking weather and tide times, ensuring your vessel is maintained and has enough fuel for the trip, and that you wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity.

“Let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back and carry a means of communication should you get into difficulty. If you do get into trouble or see someone else in need of help, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), the Community Rescue Boats of Ireland (CRBI) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provide declared search and rescue (SAR) services to the IRCG operating as the maritime SAR coordinator.

The Irish Coast Guard provides the SAR assets to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre through its coastguard units and support section who manage the coastguard’s own SAR assets.

These guidelines are written as a collaborative effort between the IRCG, the CRBI and the RNLI recognising the joint venture of maritime SAR in Ireland.

“While the three named groups operate on different scales, they share a common commitment to maritime safety and to the communities they operate for,” IRCG director Micheál O’Toole says. “Included in this commitment, and at the heart of the National SAR Plan, is the overarching need to conduct SAR safely and as part of an overall system of governance and oversight to provide safety assurance to all stakeholders.

“These guidelines facilitate this by providing a common standard that they commit to meeting and will be measured against. The different parties to these guidelines further
commit to working together to embed continual improvement principles in the maritime SAR system and to collaborate to continually review and revise these guidelines to ensure they remain up to date and appropriate to the needs of the maritime SAR community.”

Download and view the guidelines on the Gov.ie website.

The volunteer crew based in the RNLI lifeboat station at the New Docks in Galway will open their doors this Saturday 28 September from noon to 4pm and everyone is welcome.

This will be the first open day at the lifeboat station since before the pandemic and takes place on the same day as the Galway Docklands Festival being organised by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club.

Mike Swan, lifeboat operations manager said: “This year is RNLI200 when we are celebrating the charity’s 200-year anniversary and Saturday’s open day will be the first since the pandemic which will make it a really special day.

“We are looking forward to welcoming people down to the station to have a look around, see the lifeboat up close and meet the crew.

“We will be launching the lifeboat at 1pm and 3pm and that always generates a lot of interest seeing the crew using a davit crane outside the station to lower the lifeboat in and out of the water.

“There will be an emphasis on search and rescue and how the agencies work together to keep our waterways safe for the people of Galway and visitors to our city and county. We will be joined by Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, the Claddagh Watch Patrol, Galway Fire and Rescue Service and Civil Defence. We will also have RNLI water safety crew here with advice on how to have fun and stay safe in the water and on the beach.

“In addition we will have a display of the schools’ artwork throughout the station. This year’s art competition theme is ‘Celebrating 200 years of lifesaving work’ and we look forward to seeing all the entries from the primary school children in our area. We will have a pop-up shop, Stormy Stan will drop by to meet the kids and it wouldn’t be an RNLI open day without some competitive welly throwing.

“We will open the doors from 12pm to 4pm and we look forward to meeting people who support us to do the work we do and everyone who has an interest in and spends time on or by the water as a pastime or for work. The Galway Lifeboat Station is located in the New Docks, Galway Harbour at Eircode H91 X782. See you Saturday.”

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard on Friday afternoon (20 September) to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide.

The crew of Brian Niland, Martin Oliver and Stefanie Carr had the inshore lifeboat on the water shortly after 4pm and made their way to Hare Island, on inner Galway Bay, which is accessible to walkers at low tide.

They quickly located the casualty, who was taken safely on board the lifeboat. The crew then returned to the lifeboat station and the casualty, who didn’t require medical attention, was able to get ashore safely.

Niland said: “The person we rescued this afternoon did the right thing. They had a mobile phone and called for help when they realised that they had been cut off by the tide, which still coming in as we arrived on the island. Staying put was definitely the right thing to do.

“This was the second shout for the crew in the space of 24 hours after a request to launch on Thursday afternoon to reports of a person caught out by the incoming tide near Kinvara. The crew were stood down on arrival in Kinvara as the person had been brought safely ashore by gardaí on the scene.

“We’ve had a lovely late summer in the past week and many people took the opportunity to enjoy the fine weather out on or by the water. Walking around coasts is a very safe activity most of the time but it is very easy to get caught out by tides and we’ve had particularly high tides in the past few days.

“Our advice is to always take a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides before you head out. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them. If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 7pm on Thursday evening (19 September) to assist in the rescue of a walker cut off by an oncoming high tide.

The distress call was raised by a member of the public who spotted the person in difficulty on the rocky shoreline to the east of Garrylucas beach, near the Old Head of Kinsale peninsula, and immediately contacted the emergency services.

Under coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five, the lifeboat was underway quickly and immediately made its way to the casualty’s reported location, arriving off the shoreline at 7.23pm.

It emerged that the casualty had managed to climb 20 feet up the rocky cliff face as the incoming tide cut them off from the shore, but was unable to go any further.

As the Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit were first on scene at the top of the cliff and had set up their cliff rescue system, it was decided that the best method of rescue was the deployment of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford that has just arrived.

In a skilful operation, the helicopter crew landed the winch person beside the casualty and they were airlifted to the safety of the green field above while the lifeboat stood by just off the shoreline.

The casualty was assessed by the coastguard unit and, while shaken by the events of the previous hour, they were found to be uninjured.

Speaking following the call-out, Vincent O’Donavan, Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat press officer said: “Great credit is due to the 20-strong members of the Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit for directing the rescue operation so efficiently last evening.

“The lifeboat crew on board the call-out were coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Mark Gannon, Peter Nunan, Denis Murphy and Evin O’Sullivan.”

Bundoran RNLI came to the aid of two jet skiers who got into difficulty at Tullan Strand on Thursday evening (19 August).

The casualties were out enjoying the good weather when they broke down outside the surf in a 1-2m swell.

The alarm was raised at 6.26pm when their jet ski began to have some mechanical issues, causing them to enter the water. The casualties had their phone with them protected by a waterproof cover and this enabled them to call to for help.

Bundoran’s inshore lifeboat was requested by the Irish Coast Guard, and the volunteer crew were on scene within minutes. The lifeboat was helmed by Brian Gillespie with Richard Gillespie, Oisin Cassidy and Tomasz Marszalik onboard.

On arrival, the crew assessed the situation and proceeded to take the casualties from the water and on to the lifeboat. Both were found to be safe and well and not in need of medical assistance. They were then brought back the short distance to shore at the lifeboat station.

Speaking following the call-out, Brian Gillespie said: “It’s important people check their equipment before going to sea and ensure that they have a means of calling for help if they get into difficulties. Thankfully these casualties were able to call for help and we were able to reach them quickly.

“People are trying to make the most out of the last few days of the good weather and it’s important to always ensure safety when entering the water no matter how calm the conditions appear.

“If you see someone in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Volunteers at Fenit RNLI were involved in a call-out on Tuesday night (17 September) to two swimmers in difficulty at Little Samphire Lighthouse near Fenit Pier.

Lifeboat volunteers were on a training exercise at sea when the call was received and the lifeboat was immediately diverted to the scene.

The two young men, who were staying with a family locally, had decided to swim from Fenit beach to the lighthouse and back when they realised they were not be able to return to the beach safely.

At the time, Denise Lynch, a station coxswain who was out kayaking, spotted the pair and went to check on them. They had just made it to the lighthouse but were freezing cold and felt that they would be unable to make the return swim. Denise then raised the call for help.

Fenit volunteer crew Padraig Brick and Cian Lawless were out in the station’s inshore lifeboat on exercise, with coastal trainer Sean Ginnelly, when the lifeboat was diverted from exercise to go to the aid of the young men.

Taking the two casualties onboard the lifeboat, the volunteer crew took them back into the safety of the harbour and inside the lifeboat station, where they were put into thermal layers used by the lifeboat crew. The two swimmers were extremely cold but were in good spirits.

RNLI volunteer coxswain Terry Sheehy, who had been monitoring the situation from the station, went and collected their clothes from the beach and alerted the place they were staying.

Commenting on the call-out, Sean Ginnelly said: “It was a beautiful night in Fenit and perfect conditions for a training exercise. There was a large number of people in the area, enjoying the weather and we were aware that we might get a call-out.

“Lifeboat crew train for every type of situation and this is one where timing was so important. People don’t realise that the water is very cold at this time of year and that when they set out on swim to a point that looks nearby, with tides and currents, it can be a lot harder than it looks to complete it.

“Padraig and Cian swung into action and I was delighted to see the training being put into a real-life situation that ended well.”

Portaferry RNLI were paged by Belfast Coastguard just after midnight on Friday night (13 September) to assist two people onboard a fishing vessel which had run aground close to the entrance of Ardglass Harbour on Northern Ireland’s east coast.

The station’s inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V was quickly launched with helm Paul Mageean and crew members Chris Adair, Ros Watret and Paddy Lowry onboard. Conditions at the time had a strong Force 6, 24-knot wind and a rough sea state.

On arriving at Ardglass Harbour, the 46ft fishing vessel was observed to be high aground and listing, and it was decided to bring the two crew members to safety.

On assessing the vessel’s position, the crew noted there was only one safe angle of approach but that it would leave a considerable height difference between the casualty vessel and the lifeboat.

Taking the situation and the weather conditions and sea state at the time into account, it was decided to request the assistance of a coastguard helicopter.

A short time later, both fishing crew members were winched onboard a HM Coastguard helicopter from Wales and transferred to a nearby landing site where they were met by members of Newcastle Coastguard team.

Portaferry RNLI’s lifeboat departed the scene shortly after 2am and was recovered back to the boathouse by members of the shore crew before 3am on Saturday morning.

Speaking after the call-out, Portaferry RNLI helm Paul Mageean said: “The vessel’s crew did the right thing in calling for help.

“The poor weather conditions and the darkness of the night made for a challenging situation but we train for scenarios like this which always help us to assess and decide upon the best option to bring those onboard to safety. We would like to thank our colleagues from the coastguard who on arrival, winched the casualties and brought them ashore.

“Everyone who responded to the pagers in Portaferry tonight are volunteers who give their time to train for their roles and respond to call-outs ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to complete challenging tasks with professionalism and without delay.

“Our crew on the lifeboat tonight did their job and there were also several people waiting for us in the station — these shore crew also volunteer their time willingly to make these launches happen safely.

“We would ask everyone to be mindful of the weather and tide times before venturing out on the water. Always carry a means of calling for help and wear a suitable floatation device for your activity. If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.”