Aran Islands RNLI came to the aid of three kayakers who failed to return to shore yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, 10th September). The alarm was raised when they were reported overdue.

The volunteer crew were initially requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 2 pm for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór to Ros a Mhíl. However, while the crew had assembled in the Cill Rónain lifeboat station, a member of the public approached the station and alerted the crew that two people were overdue from their kayaking trip around the bay and they had lost communication with them and also with a member of the team who had gone to help them.

The kayakers had been able to radio the kayak rental to let them know that they had been blown ashore. A member of the kayak team went to retrieve them, however with the strong wind, was unable to bring them back to Cill Rónain harbour.

The lifeboat proceeded to launch a search in the bay for the kayakers. The weather was fair, with slight seas, a north westerly, force six wind, and clear skies.

The crew onboard the lifeboat spotted the people in the kayaks a half mile from Cill Rónain pier. They struggled to paddle against the wind and were blown ashore onto the rocks.

The volunteer crew safely transferred all three people and their kayaks onboard and were transferred back to Cill Rónain harbour. Although tired, all were in good spirits and happy to be back on land.

Once the lifeboat was back in Cill Rónain, the lifeboat was stood down and Rescue 115 was tasked to take over the medical evacuation.

Speaking following the call out, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain said: ‘This was a good outcome that could have been a different story. When kayaking, remember to always bring the correct equipment and tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back. This is exactly what happened today, the kayakers carried a means of communication and were able to alert someone to the fact they were in difficulty. With a person on shore knowing they were overdue, this allowed for the alarm to be raised promptly and for us to go to their aid. Should you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Rosslare Harbour RNLI and Carnsore/Rosslare Coast Guard came to the aid of a sailor on a 17ft pleasure craft which had developed mechanical problems on Saturday (7 September).

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 12.20pm, following a call from the Irish Coast Guard, and was on the nearby scene – The Lagoon adjacent to Rosslare Europort – by 12.40pm.

It emerged that the lone sailor aboard the vessel had called for assistance when it began to drift following mechanical problems in a Force 3-4 north-easterly wind.

On arrival, the smaller inflatable Y boat was utilised and the pleasure craft was escorted the short distance safely back to The Lagoon. The sailor was found to be safe and well. The coastguard team were on standby, if needed.

Speaking following the call-out, Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat operations manager said: “We would like to commend the sailor for having a phone with him which enabled contact with the coastguard. The sailor was also wearing appropriate safety gear. And our thanks to our colleagues in Carnsore/Roslare Coast Guard for being on standby during the operation.

“We encourage anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to always go prepared. Check weather and tides before venturing out, carry the right equipment for a safe journey including a means of communication. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The lifeboat crew on this call-out were coxswain Keith Miller, mechanic Keith Morris and crew members Ronan Hill, Sean Cullen, Peter Carr, Conor Barry and Paul McCormack.

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a planned course to neighbouring Enniskillen RNLI lifeboat station on Saturday afternoon (7 September) to assess a six-metre vessel with engine difficulties some 2.5 miles downstream from Carrybridge.

Winds were north-easterly Force 1 and visibility was excellent with clear blue skies shortly after 1.10pm as the volunteer lifeboat crew located the vessel drifting close to the reed bank, within the main navigation channel.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the four persons on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets.

In checking the condition of the casualty vessel, the master advised that the engine kept stopping and they were trying to return to Carrybridge.

The helm decided that due to the vessel’s location in the main navigation channel and with the extreme heat conditions at the time, the safest option would be to set up an astern tow and bring the vessel back to Carrybridge where the vessel was secured at the public jetty.

Later that evening at 7.05pm, while the crew on Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat were returning to their station, they were waved down by a person on board seven-metre vessel which had suffered engine difficulties.

The casualty vessel was in the main navigation channel in the centre of Enniskillen some 500 metres from the Round ‘O’ public jetty. The lifeboat crew quickly checked the wellbeing of the person on board and found them to be safe and well before setting up an alongside tow to bring the vessel to the safety of the jetty.

Continuing their journey home, the volunteer lifeboat crew received another call, their third of the day, at 7.50pm when they were waved down by a person on a jet ski at Bellanaleck public jetties who reported that three family members on a seven-metre sportsboat had encountered fuel problems around a mile downstream from Bellanaleck, in the direction of Enniskillen.

The lifeboat proceeded back towards Enniskillen and its crew located the casualty vessel in the area indicated, adrift in the main navigation channel.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew assessed the wellbeing of the three persons on board and found them to be safe and well and wearing their lifejackets.

With the master’s permission, the lifeboat helm decided that due to the vessel’s location and with darkness rapidly falling, the safest option would be to set up an astern tow and bring the vessel back to Bellanaleck public jetties.

One crew member from the lifeboat was placed on board the casualty vessel to assist. On arrival at Bellanaleck, the casualty vessel was secured at the public jetty. The lifeboat crew were then released to return to station where the lifeboat it was refuelled, washed down and left ready for service again.

Speaking later, Chris Cathcart, volunteer helm at Carrybridge RNLI said: “This was a busy few hours for the volunteer crew, whilst the lake became very busy with people making the most of the exceptional good weather which we encountered over the weekend.

“Before setting out on your journey, we would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on your vessel, make sure you have the relevant charts required before starting your journey, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.

“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.”

Bangor RNLI came to the aid of three people in consecutive call-outs yesterday (Monday, 9 September) after a report of a sailing boat with engine difficulty close to Bangor harbour and again later that evening to a sailor in distress in Belfast Lough.

At 4.42pm, the volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Ruby Robinson following a request from Belfast Coastguard to assess a situation where a boat with two people onboard had encountered engine problems on its journey to Bangor.

The weather at the time was dry, slightly overcast with a choppy state and a strong breeze. The sky was clear and visibility was fair.

The crew made their way to the scene and located the casualty vessel one mile north of Bangor harbour. They then spoke to the people onboard and found them to be visiting from France. Both sailors were safe, well and both wearing lifejackets.

The crew assessed the situation and made a decision to tow the vessel to the nearest safe harbour at Bangor Marina as the casualty vessel had no means of propulsion in breezy conditions.

Speaking following the call out, Bangor RNLI Helm John Bell said: ‘The boat owner did exactly the correct thing by calling us out to help, which we were only too happy to do.'

Later on Monday at 8.50pm, the pagers activated once more and the lifeboat and crew were requested to launch by HM Coastguard to assist a sailor in difficulty after suffering damage to a foiling type dinghy. A member of Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC) raised the alarm after the sailor, failed to return to the yacht club. The Ruby Robinson inshore lifeboat launched at 8.56pm, and the crew made their way to the lone sailor was alone, a call out that proved challenging as the vessel was without navigational lights at the time. Wind was blowing from the west, creating fresh breezy conditions, with slight to moderate seas, making the inshore search quite challenging.

For almost an hour, the lifeboat crew searched Bangor and Ballyholme bays and along the coastline in pitch-black conditions. Six white pyrotechnic flares were fired into the night sky by the crew to help illuminate the search area, which included Ballymacormick Point, a rocky headland devoid of any lighting and with a high risk of grounding on outcropping rocks.
At 9.52pm, a lifeboat crew member heard the faint call for help from the missing sailor which led to the successful location of the casualty near the headland. The sailor had managed to secure his vessel to a lobster pot marker buoy.

The lifeboat crew acted swiftly, rescuing the individual and bringing him safely aboard. He was safe but visibly shaken by the ordeal and cold. After ensuring the sailor's safety transported to Ballyholme Yacht Club,, the lifeboat returned to recover the dinghy, delivering it back to the yacht club.

Arranmore RNLI crew celebrated the official opening of their new station on Saturday (7 September) amid sunshine and with friends from near and far.

After the ceremony was over, the crew went home for a well-earned rest — or so they thought.

Having just finished dinner, relief coxswain Trevor Devereux from Kilmore Quay in Wexford launched the lifeboat just after 8pm in response to a request from Malin Head Coast Guard to perform a medical evacuation from the island to Burtonport on the Donegal mainland.

“It just seemed the perfect way to end a day of celebration, this is what we do,” Devereux said. “We are an emergency service, on call 24/7 and ready to respond to a call for the lifeboat at a moment's notice. We wish the patient a speedy recovery.”

Devereux added: “It has been a privilege to serve as relief coxswain on Arranmore and to be a part of the opening ceremony of the new station. The crew here are really welcoming as are the whole community.

“Sometimes, as a relief coxswain it can be quite hard to leave home for several weeks but I have really enjoyed my time on Arranmore and I shall probably be back again while the new coxswain Kieran [O’Donnell] is undergoing training.”

The crew of the Galway RNLI lifeboat launched on Sunday after a report of a windsurfer in difficulty off Salthill and again on Monday morning to a boat in distress off Ballinacourty Pier.

The pagers were activated at 3.24pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 08 September) and the crew of Declan Killilea, Lisa McDonagh and Frankie Leonard launched the lifeboat supported by shore crew Darragh Heskin, Paddy Hennelly, Eoghan Donohue and Dave Badger.

The crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard after reports of a windsurfer in difficulty off Palmer’s Beach in Salthill. When the lifeboat arrived on the scene, around five minutes after launch, the local lifeguard had taken the casualty in hand and was making their way to shore. The lifeboat crew remained on standby until the casualty and lifeguard were safely out of the water.

Declan Killilea who was helm of the lifeboat on Sunday said: ‘The conditions at sea were difficult for windsurfers with a fresh offshore northerly breeze which is unusual for Galway. Luckily there was a lifeguard on duty and their actions are to be commended in identifying the difficulty the windsurfer was in, raising the alarm and getting the casualty ashore in challenging conditions.

‘Once we knew that the lifeguard and the casualty were safe we headed back out the bay to try locate the windsurf sail and rigging which had been blown a distance offshore and was a potential hazard for other boats and water users. Once located, we then brought the sail on board the lifeboat and returned to the lifeboat station. We washed down the boat and refuelled ready for our next shout.’

On Monday at 9.27am the lifeboat and crew were again requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a boat in distress off Ballinacourty Pier, near Clarenbridge. The boat with two people on board was a 4m rigid inflatable boat which had lost engine power and was drifting on to rocks. The lifeboat with helm Brian Niland and crew Declan Killilea, Sean King and Frankie Leonard were at the scene around 15 minutes after launch. After assessing the situation, one of the crew went on board the casualty boat and set up a tow to move the boat away from the rocks and out of danger. For the safety of the two people on board, the lifeboat towed the stricken boat to Ballinacourty Pier so they were able to get ashore safely. The lifeboat crew then returned to the lifeboat station and prepared the lifeboat for the next call out.

Kinsale RNLI rescued a teenager after a fall on the rocks at the entrance to Sandycove, a popular swimming and fishing spot near Kinsale.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 7:16pm on Saturday, (7 September) by the Irish Coast Guard and launched just 10 minutes later to answer reports of casualty who was fishing from the rocks at Sandycove, slipped and lost their footing, resulting in a fall onto the rocks below.

Weather conditions were described as quite good at the time, but fog was starting to roll in and weather conditions were starting to deteriorate.

The lifeboat helmed by Jonathon Connor, with volunteer crew members Connor Greene, Jonny Greene and Finn Bowen onboard took part in the multiagency response after the call out, with the Irish Coast Guard helicopter and the Irish Ambulance Service also in attendance.

The casualty was assessed, and it was determined that they would require assistance via stretcher, to be brought onto the lifeboat. They were brought back to Kinsale RNLI lifeboat station. He was transferred via the Irish Ambulance Service to hospital. The charity lifeboat was made ready to launch again at 9pm that evening.

Speaking after the call out, Kinsale RNLI Helm Jonathon Connor commended the teenager’s friends for raising the alarm with the Irish Coast Guard and he advised that ‘Even when fishing from the shore or on a boat, it is important to wear a lifejacket and remember to get them regularly checked and serviced in line with manufacturers recommendations. As the evenings are closing in, also remember to check weather forecasts and tide times and if you see someone in difficulty, like this casualty’s friends, call the Irish Coast Guard on 999 or 112’.

The volunteer crew at Clifden RNLI launched both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats on Friday evening (6 February) to assist a man who had sustained injuries on Inishbofin.

The pagers sounded at 6.45pm and the lifeboats were away shortly afterwards.

Once at the scene, southwest of the island, the casualty was found to have a serious leg injury and was in significant pain.

The lifeboat crew carried out a full casualty care assessment, and were able to assist with pain management and make the casualty more comfortable for transport.

The Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo-based helicopter Rescue 118 soon arrived on scene and the lifeboat crew worked with coastguard colleagues to safely winch the casualty on board the aircraft, on which he was transported to Mayo University Hospital.

Speaking about the call-out, Clifden RNLI lifeboat operations manager Tony Casey said: “I’m glad we were able to help the casualty today and all in Clifden station wish him a speedy recovery.

“Our volunteer crew do regular exercises to prepare for scenarios like this and it’s great to see the training result in a successful operation. My thanks to the crew, our coastguard colleagues and the island nurse for great team working today.

“If you see someone in difficulty in the water, dial 999/112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was helmed on Friday by Owen Hayes with crew members Caroline Barry, Shane Conneelly and Brian Ward. John Mullen was coxswain in command of the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat with crew Andy Bell, James Mullen, Joe Acton, Neil Gallery and Conor O’Malley.

Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor on Tuesday night (3 September) after they experienced a knee injury.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist the sailor, who was four miles north-west of Eagle Island off the north Mayo coast and some 14 nautical miles from the lifeboat station.

The volunteer crew received the alert just before 5pm and the lifeboat was underway shortly after under coxswain James Mangan and five crew.

Weather conditions at the time were challenging, with a small craft warning in place, a north-westerly Force 5-6 wind and the sea choppy with swells.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew assessed the situation and communicated with the sailor, who was fit to sail into Broadhaven Bay single-handed but required help mooring.

The lifeboat proceeded to escort the sailor into calmer waters in Broadhaven Bay, where it was safe for one of the volunteer crew to be transferred to the casualty vessel to bring her to the nearest safe moorings at Ballyglass Pier.

There, the lifeboat crew were met by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and the ambulance service, who took over the care of the casualty once ashore.

Speaking following the call-out, Ballyglass RNLI coxswain James Mangan said: “We were pleased with the safe return of everyone and we would like to wish the sailor well and commend and thank our colleagues from the ambulance service and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and our own shore crew.”

The lifeboat crew this call-out with Mangan were mechanic Allen Murray, navigator Stephen Togher and crew members John Gaughan, Pat Coyne and Seán Reilly.

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI launched at 12.30pm on Tuesday (3 September) to reports of a broken-down fishing vessel.

Clifden’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched with Owen Hayes as helm and John Mullen, Sinead O’Sullivan and Shane Conneely as crew, who made their way to the location east of Carraig an Róin island.

The all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was also tasked to the scene and stood by to provide assistance.

The casualty vessel was located at anchor with two persons on board. It emerged that the boat had suffered major mechanical failure, rendering it without propulsion.

To ensure the safety of all on board, the vessel put under tow and brought to safe harbour in Clifden some 40 minutes away.

Clifden RNLI helm Owen Hayes said: “I want to commend the casualties for raising the alarm when they knew they couldn’t make safe progress. Every moment matters. Please never delay in calling for assistance; in Clifden RNLI we are ready to respond 24/7.

“Our advice for anyone going to sea is to plan your journey in advance, have the relevant charts required, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.

“My thanks to all the crew in Clifden for a great team effort.”