RNLI

6th March 2011

Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station Appoints Chairman

Mr. Terry Johnson has been appointed chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group (LMG) for the RNLI at Dun Laoghaire. Formerly a deputy chairman of the RNLI, he is an accomplished mariner and has a long-standing commitment to the charitable work of the institution that saves lives at sea.

The role of LMG is to co-ordinate the various roles of the RNLI's work in the area, from fund-raising to sea-safety awareness, publicity and the vital role carried out by the two lifeboats and their volunteer crews that are based at the station.

"My role will be to help the LMG to deliver the best possible outcome for each of our activities," said Mr. Johnson. "Considering we are a volunteer-based charity, our goal remains to consistently deliver high-standards comparable with other professional services."

A well-known Dublin Bay and offshore racing sailor, Mr. Johnson is a member of Royal Ocean Racing Club and was the Irish team-manager for the 1987 Admiral's Cup. He now spends time cruising on 'Nyabo' and his sons and grandsons are also keen and competitive sailors.

The tradition of lifeboats in Dublin Bay pre-dates the foundation of the RNLI in 1824 and the modern-era service regularly counts the Dun Laoghaire station amongst the busiest in the Irish division. A Trent-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) 'Anna Livia' and smaller D-Class inshore lifeboat (ILB) are based in the harbour with a crew-panel of 28 local men and women supported by shore-crew and fund-raising volunteers.

On 30th April 2011, a new D-Class ILB will be formally named and handed-over to the station.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

5th March 2011

Lecture: "Diving The Wreck of the Bolivar on the Kish Bank"

The next lecture organised by the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association (DBOG) will be "Diving The Wreck of the Bolivar on the Kish Bank" by Cormac Lowth. The lecture will take place in the Poolbeg Yacht Boat Club & Marina (PYBC) at 8pm on Tuesday 8 March.

The lecture will examine the story of the ship, the shipwreck, the re-discovery and diving and fishery. In addition many other shipwrecks dived by the speaker will be included and accompanied with illustrations.

The talks proper will begin at 8 pm but the organisers are encouraging those wishing to attend to assemble at 7.15 pm for a socialable drink in advance of the talk starting. All are welcome and the admission is free, noting a donation for the RNLI will be held at the door. For further information about the DBOGA logon to www.dublinbayoldgaffersassociation.com/

The Poolbeg yacht clubhouse is located on the South Bank, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend which can be accessed from the Sean Moore Road that connects the Merrion Strand Road (from the south) and the East-Link Toll Bridge (from the north). For information in general about the PYBC Tel: (01) 668 9983 or logon to www.poolbegmarina.ie/

Published in Boating Fixtures

Tagged under

2nd March 2011

Dramatic Photos of Clifden Lifeboat Battling Surf

Spectacular photographs taken from the shore by Lifeboat Operations Manager John Brittain during Clifden RNLI's special surf training recently on Dunloughan beach show the type of conditions that volunteer lifeboat crew train in for the life-saving charity. The shots capture the inshore lifeboat crewmembers climbing a wave and exercising in some choppy conditions.

John organised the training in response to the increased popularity of the area with surfers. RNLI Divisional Assessor Trainer Helena Duggan travelled to the lifeboat station to put 18 volunteer lifeboat crew through their paces and train them in handling the lifeboat in surf and responding to potential callouts from leisure marine enthusiasts.

Training is a core part of volunteering with the RNLI and each crewmember in Clifden trains once a fortnight on the stations two inshore lifeboats.

Commenting on the exercise John said, "I took my camera down to photograph the exercise and was really pleased with the results. It is great to be able to show the public what our lifeboat volunteers go through to ensure they are fit and trained to go to sea. We had a fantastic turnout on the day and the lifeboat crew learned about boat handling in surf conditions. We are delighted so many people are visiting the area for leisure marine activities."

clifden_d_class_1

clifden_d_class_2

clifden_d_class_3

Photos by John Brittain/Clifden RNLI show Clifden volunteer lifeboat crew with RNLI Training assessor Helena Duggan during surf training on Dunloughan beach, Ballyconeely

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

28th February 2011

Howth Lifeboat Rescues Three Vessels

Howth RNLI voluntary lifeboat crew were tasked twice last Friday, to aid three vessels in difficulty off the Howth coast.

The Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was just returning to the safety of the harbour with two motorboats in tow, when the larger All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was requested to the aid of a fishing trawler that had also experienced technical failure.

The second motorboat under tow by the voluntary ILB crew suffered engine failure whilst attempting to assist the first stricken craft. They had just reached the harbour mouth when the alarm was raised by a fishing trawler in similar circumstances.

The voluntary crew then transferred to the ALB and went to the rescue of the fishermen. All vessels were towed safely back to Howth harbour.

Patrick Brown, voluntary crewmember for Howth RNLI said:

"Luckily weather conditions were fair this evening, allowing for a speedy recovery of the boats that were in difficulty. However the light was fading at the time of the incidents, highlighting the importance of having safety flares for both commercial and pleasure craft alike. Charitable donations from the public make it possible for the RNLI to continue rescuing those in danger at sea"

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

22nd February 2011

Missing 18-Year Old Found After Two Hour Search in Bangor

A search for a missing 18 year old boy that was launched after his friends feared he had fallen from Central Pier was stood down at 01.50 this morning after he was found hiding in the crew accommodation of a nearby fishing vessel.

The call came in at 23.40 from a member of the marina staff after the boy's two friends had told him that all three of them had climbed over the gate into the pier, but that their friend had not come back and they were concerned that he must have fallen into the water.

Belfast Coastguard sent the Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team to begin a search, as well as requesting the launch of the Bangor RNLI lifeboat. Members of the Police, Ambulance and Fire Service are also on scene.

At 01.50, the boy was found hiding in a compartment in the crew accommodation of a fishing vessel near the pier, and the search was stood down.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager Alan Pritchard said:

"This group of three boys had been at a birthday party in the town before climbing the gate this evening to access the pier. Incidents such as these remind of us of the dangers of being in proximity to the water when you have been drinking alcohol – be it going swimming, or walking along cliffs or piers. Although on this occasion the boy has been found safe and well, this could easily have been a much more serious incident."

Published in Coastguard

Tagged under

20th February 2011

Bangor Lifeboat Reunite Missing Child with Parents

RNLI Bangor Lifeboat launched at 3pm on Sunday 20th February 2011 to search for 6 year old boy reported missing from Lukes Point close to Ballyholme Bay which is on the southern shores of Belfast Lough.

Belfast Coastguard received the initial call for help and requested RNLI Bangor Lifeboat to launch immediately and start searching the shoreline between Lukes Point and Ballyholme Bay.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated volunteer crew at RNLI Bangor Lifeboat had assembled and launched the lifeboat.

Knowing that this type of rescue was time critical, volunteer crew not on board the lifeboat proceeded on foot and by bike to the Ballyholme Bay area.

Thankfully one of the RNLI volunteers on shore spotted the young boy ½ mile from the initial search area and was able to reunite him with his parents.

Peter Semple the volunteer crew member who found the young boy said. 'We are extremely happy and relieved that the young boy has been found'. He added 'We were delighted to reunite him with his parents'.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

17th February 2011

Crosshaven Lifeboat Recover Body in Ringabella Bay

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat report that they have recovered the body of a missing fisherman from the sea at Ringabella Bay after information received from a person on shore. The fisherman was lost when the fishing boat sank almost four weeks ago.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

13th February 2011

RNLI Volunteer Among Cork Plane Crash Dead

A former volunteer with Sunderland RNLI was among the five people who died in the plane crash tragedy at Cork Airport last week, according to BBC News.

Twenty-seven-year-old Andrew Cantle was co-pilot of the ill-fated Manx2 flight which came down in thick fog on Thursday morning.

He had previously spent eight years as a volunteer with RNLI Sunderland in north-east England, joining in 2000. Thereater he moved to York, where be began his career as a commercial pilot. He had only been with Manx2 for a few months before the incident.

The RNLI said Cantle had volunteers on 65 emergency missions and helped save the lives of 66 people.

Sunderland RNLI senior helmsman Paul Nicholson said: "Everyone involved with the lifeboat station is in total shock about the tragic loss of a very close and dear friend."

BBC News has more on the story HERE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wear-12429693

A former volunteer with Sunderland RNLI was among the five people who died in the plane crash tragedy at Cork Airport last week, according to BBC News.

Twenty-seven-year-old Andrew Cantle was co-pilot of the ill-fated Manx2 flight which came down in thick fog on Thursday morning.

He had previously spent eight years as a volunteer with RNLI Sunderland in north-east England, joining in 2000. Thereafter he moved to York, where be began his career as a commercial pilot. He had only been with Manx2 for a few months before the incident.

The RNLI said Cantle had volunteers on 65 emergency missions and helped save the lives of 66 people.
Sunderland RNLI senior helmsman Paul Nicholson said: "Everyone involved with the lifeboat station is in total shock about the tragic loss of a very close and dear friend."

BBC News has more on the story HERE.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

6th February 2011

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Yacht

On Sunday morning February 6, at 11.20hrs, Lough Derg lifeboat Toshiba Wave Warrior towed a 26ft yacht to safety after it got into difficulty in strong winds.

Whilst on exercise on Sunday morning February 6, the Lough Derg Lifeboat, with helm Peter Clarke, Owen Cavanagh and Ger Egan on board, was requested to go to the assistance of four persons on board a 26ft sailing yacht that got into difficulty in strong winds in Dromineer Bay. Winds were south-westerly, Force 6 with a large swell.

The lifeboat came alongside the casualty vessel at 11.09hrs and found that two of the yacht's crew had been taken onto another vessel. The yacht, which had grounded in shallow water, was listing to starboard. With an RNLI crew member on board, the yacht was taken off the shallows at 11.20hrs and towed to the safety of the public harbour in Dromineer. RNLI lifeboat helm, Peter Clarke, said that "given the wind and lake conditions it was a challenging enough rescue and speed and efficiency was paramount."

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 12mid-day.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

2nd February 2011

Flare Sightings Prompt Kilkeel Search

A search coordinated by Belfast Coastguard that was prompted by several reports of sightings of red flares at the mouth of Carlingford Lough was stood down last evening after nothing was found.

The first sightings of the red flares came in at 18.10 via 999 calls from members of the public reporting that they had seen the flares near the mouth of the Lough, southwest of Kilkeel. Belfast Coastguard issued a relay broadcast to vessels in the area to try and find more information about the potential vessel in distress, and three fishing vessels responded to say that they too had sighted the flares.

Belfast Coastguard then sent the South Down Coastguard Rescue Team, Kilkeel RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter to the scene to begin a search. The three fishing vessels who responded to the initial broadcast also maintained a lookout during this time. The search area was approximately five and a half miles, and three miles offshore, and the search was completed at 20.30 and all resources stood down with nothing found.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager Rob Steventon said:

"With good visibility on scene and the search area completely saturated we are satisfied that the red flare sightings were not from a vessel in distress. All sightings of distress flares reported to the Coastguard have to be thoroughly investigated, however a proportion of these turn out to be either Chinese lanterns, or non distress situations, such as people disposing of out of date flares. Members of the public should be aware however, that using flares in a non-emergency situation is against the law."

Notes to Editors

Published in Coastguard

Tagged under