As Ireland and the UK prepare for Storm Isha this weekend, the RNLI is asking those visiting the coast to be cautious of the dangers.

Met Éireann and the Met Office have issued weather warnings ahead of Storm Isha’s arrival this Sunday (21 January), bringing winds of up to 130kmh in some coastal areas, particularly along the west and north east coasts of England and Wales and in Northern Ireland.

A number of Irish sailing fixtures have already been cancelled, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The strong winds are expected to gradually ease throughout the day on Monday.

For those who plan to visit the coast this weekend, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and the lifesaving charity is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

RNLI national water safety education partner Sam Johnson said: “The predicted weekend weather could lead to dangerous and uncertain conditions as strong winds hit the coasts across the UK and Ireland.

“If you plan on visiting the coast, the RNLI advise the public to stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

“Cold water shock is a very real danger for anyone entering water that is 15C or below and at this time of year, we can expect temperatures of 6 to 10C. If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live: lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

“Remember, if you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard if by the coast, or just 999 if inland. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself — you may end up in difficulty too.”

At 5.32 pm on Sunday, 14 January, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on Upper Lough Erne was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a vessel with four people on board, which had broken down 2 miles North of Carrybridge.

Winds were North Westerly, Force 1. Visibility was good.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat located the casualty vessel, which had drifted into the reeds on the shoreline. They then assessed the well-being of casualties and found them to be well.

The crew then assessed the casualty vessel and found that the boat had suffered from a loss of drive. Due to the darkness and the vessel's location, it was deemed that the safest option was to tow the vessel back to its nearby mooring at Bellanaleck. A lifeboat crew member stayed onboard the casualty’s boat during the towing process.

Speaking following the callouts, Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: ‘‘At this time of year when there isn’t much boat movement on the water it is especially important before setting out to plan your journey, have the relevant charts required, lifejackets for all on board and a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble.

Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor last night (Wednesday, 17 January) after their yacht got into difficulty in the North Atlantic Sea.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a sailor on a 9m yacht which had sustained rigging damage five miles off the north Mayo coast.

The volunteer crew received the alert at 5.25 pm and the lifeboat was underway shortly after making its way to the sailor and their vessel some 17 nautical miles north-east of Ballyglass and five miles north of the Céide fields in Mayo.

When the Ballyglass lifeboat with five crew onboard arrived on scene, a 60m fish carrier was standing off providing shelter for the casualty vessel. Their crew along with the Sligo based Irish Coast Guard helicopter crew from Rescue 118, provided illumination of the scene. Having assessed the situation, and observing that the sailor was safe and well, a decision was made to establish a tow line with the illumination assisting the lifeboat crew in setting up the tow with the vessel.

The lifeboat proceeded to tow the yacht to the nearest safe port at Ballyglass pier. Approximately three miles from Ballyglass pier the tow parted from the yacht’s end but was soon safely re-established and the lifeboat and yacht continued to their destination. There, the lifeboat crew were met by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit who assisted in securing the casualty alongside.

Speaking following the call out, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain James Mangan said: ‘We were pleased with the safe return of all and we would like to wish the sailor well and commend and thank our colleagues from Rescue 118 and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and the crew of the fish carrier for their assistance.’

Crew on this call out included Coxswain James Mangan, mechanic Allen Murray, navigator Matthew Togher and crew members Paudge Kelleher and Stephen Togher.

The Fethard RNLI fundraising committee members in County Wexford, along with some volunteers, gathered last week to receive a significant amount of funds raised by the Hooked On Swimming Group and two businesses with local links. In total, the group donated €12,985 to the RNLI.

The Hooked On Swimming Group, a dedicated group of local swimmers, took part in their annual 12 Swims of Christmas for the third year in a row, braving the chilly December waters surrounding the Hook Peninsula. The group also organised a coffee morning with delicious home-baked treats and a monster raffle, creating a fantastic community atmosphere and a social outlet during the winter months. All the while, they raised vital funds for their local lifeboat.

Scurri present a €2,500 cheque to the RNLI

This year’s total included a generous donation of €3,500 from the Greenlink project and a separate donation of €2,500 from Scurri, a locally owned delivery management software company.

Sarah Bates, a volunteer fundraising committee representative, accepted the cheques on behalf of the RNLI and expressed her gratitude, saying, “The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and the government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As we enter into our 200th year of lifesaving, donations like we received today are just as important as ever for us to continue saving lives at sea.”

The generosity of the Hooked On Swimming Group and the local businesses is commendable, and their efforts will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the RNLI's operations.

Bangor RNLI on Belfast Lough received a donation of £2,500 from the members of Ballyholme Yacht Club this Christmas. The funds were raised during the festive period over a series of events hosted by the club.

The Christmas Prize Draw alone raised a massive £1,000, and the Christmas Quiz raised £120. On Boxing Day, 140 brave cold water swimmers participated in the annual Boxing Day Swim, and the club donated £700 of the entrance money to the charity. Generous donations in the RNLI collection buckets raised a further £680.

Tom Bell, Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, expressed his gratitude for the continued support from Ballyholme Yacht Club. He stated, "We cannot thank them enough for their latest donation. The funds they have donated to date equate to kitting out an inshore lifeboat crew member in full personal protective equipment such as drysuit, helmet and lifejacket. The money they have and continue to donate will be used locally at Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Station, allowing us to continue to provide our 24/7 lifesaving service and achieve our overall goal of saving lives at sea."

In a daring rescue operation, a volunteer lifeboat crew from Ballycotton RNLI in County Cork saved the lives of three fishermen who were stranded on an 11m boat that had suffered difficulties and was disabled two and a half miles off Power Head.

The incident occurred during the early hours of this morning.

The Austin Lidbury, Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, was launched at 2.15 am after a distress call was received from the stranded vessel. The harsh weather conditions with temperatures at freezing and a bitter north-easterly wind of force 5-6 and two-metre swell made the rescue operation extremely challenging.

The lifeboat crew quickly located the vessel and confirmed that all crew members were safe. They then secured a tow line and began towing the boat to Crosshaven as conditions were deemed too unsafe to return to Ballycotton with the vessel in tow. The journey was long and arduous, with the towed vessel arriving at Crosshaven at approximately 5.15 am. During the journey, the lifeboat was escorted in by a pod of friendly dolphins as they entered the mouth of Cork Harbour.

The crew of the lifeboat were hailed for their bravery and quick action in rescuing the stranded fishermen. Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain Eolan Walsh said, "Thankfully, all three fishermen were wearing lifejackets and had called for help as soon as they encountered difficulties. Conditions were extremely cold and difficult, and I am thankful to all the volunteers who answered the call last night."

The lifeboat crew comprised Coxswain Walsh, station mechanic Adam Hussey, Eolan Breathnach as navigator, Cíaran Walsh, Michael Kenneally, Claire McCarthy, Ronan Lynch, and Adrian Erangey.

The incident serves as a reminder to all to take necessary precautions when venturing out to sea and to dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard in case of an emergency.

Four boaters in a RIB were rescued by Helvick Head RNLI in County Waterford on Sunday afternoon (7 January) after their boat encountered trouble off the coast of Dungarvan.

The inshore lifeboat was launched into north-east Force 3-4 winds and calm waters, responding to a request from the Irish Coast Guard. The team, led by Alan Kelly and consisting of Páidí Breathnach, Joe Foley and Rian Kelly, arrived at the scene at 2:40 pm and found all the sailors to be safe and well.

The 5.5m rigid inflatable boat had suffered engine failure, and the RNLI team quickly established a tow line and safely brought the boat back to Dungarvan harbour by 4:00 pm.

The Helvick Head Atlantic RNLI lifeboat

Seán Walsh, the Helvick Head RNLI Launching Authority, reminded boaters to always be prepared before heading out to sea. He emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets and carrying a means of communication and urged anyone in trouble or witnessing someone else in difficulty to call the Coast Guard at 999 or 112.

In the early hours of Sunday, January 7th, Ballyglass RNLI, located in north-west County Mayo, was called to the aid of an injured fisherman. The volunteer crew was alerted by Malin Head Coast Guard to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 3am after receiving a report of an injured fisherman. The request was for the lifeboat to meet the vessel the fisherman was on in Broadhaven Bay.

Under the command of Coxswain Francie Gibbons, the lifeboat launched shortly after with five crew onboard and made its way to the scene. Despite challenging weather conditions with a south easterly force 2-3 wind and a 0.5-1m swell, the crew arrived on scene at 4.30 am and assessed the situation.

A decision was made to transfer the casualty onto the lifeboat, where he was then brought back to shore at Ballyglass Lifeboat Station. The ambulance service was on standby and took over the care of the injured fisherman at 5.10am. Ballyglass Coast Guard was also on hand to provide assistance.

In a statement, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain Francie Gibbons said, "We would like to extend our best wishes to the casualty for a speedy recovery. We would also like to commend our own volunteers and our colleagues in the Coast Guard and ambulance service for their work in the early hours of the morning. This was an example of great collaboration between all the services involved."

The RNLI has declined to accept proceeds from a foxhunting event which was due to take place today (Dec 31) in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

As first reported by The Waterford News and Star and then The Daily Telegraph, the event hosted by Dungarvan Foxhounds is due to take place in An Rinn.

The Association of Hunt Saboteurs (AHS) claimed that Helvick and Dungarvan RNLI was to receive donations from the event.

However, the RNLI told the newspaper that it was “aware of an independent third-party local fundraising event planned for News Year’s Eve that would see the proceeds of a foxhound’s hunt meet go to the RNLI”.

“This is not an RNLI event. As such no donation for this event has been received by the charity and members of the fundraising branch will not be holding a bucket collection at the event,”it said.

“The RNLI reserves the right to decline donations that are not in keeping with the purpose and the values of the institution. We will not be accepting any donations from this activity or related activities, now or in the future,”it said.

“We are grateful for the continued support we receive from the communities that surround and depend on our lifeboat service. The RNLI’s purpose is to save lives at sea and on inland waters,” the RNLI statement said.

The newspaper also contacted the Dungarvan Foxhounds, which declined to comment.

Read The Waterford News and Star here

Skerries RNLI were tasked on Saturday morning (30 December) following a call to Dublin Coast Guard reporting that a kitesurfer was in difficulty off Portrane beach.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson was launched by s shortly after 11.30am. After rounding the headland of Red Island, the crew entered a course to steer for Portrane in their onboard navigation system.

Conditions at the time had a westerly wind, Force 3 to 4, with a slight sea swell and good visibility.

As the lifeboat arrived on scene, the volunteers were provided with up-to-date information which was being relayed from a member of the coastguard on shore, and were guided to the kitesurfer’s location.

Following a conversation with the kitesurfer, it was quickly determined that he was not in need of any assistance. He did however accept the offer of a lift closer to the shore, to allay any fears of those that had raised the alarm.

The lifeboat assisted the man on board and dropped him close to the shore, before returning to Skerries to recover the boat and make it ready for the next service.

Speaking about the call-out, volunteer lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: “The gentleman was actually very well equipped and within his comfort zone. However, he was using a wing foil and it’s easy to see how it was mistaken for a kite in the water.

“A false alarm with good intent is still a good outcome and our volunteers were glad to discover the man was not in any distress. We will always encourage you to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard if you think you see someone in trouble on the water.”