Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
alt="Storm Boelo weather warnings across Ireland" title="Storm Warning – Met Éireann weather warning map showing red, orange and yellow alerts across Ireland as Storm Boelo approaches. Image: Met Éireann"/>
Met Éireann has issued multiple weather warnings for Storm Boelo, which will bring gale-force westerly winds with severe and damaging gusts and spells of heavy rain. Strong onshore winds, high tides, surge and large waves may cause overtopping and coastal…
The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI have issued a joint water safety warning ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend as Storm Austen approaches Ireland, bringing the prospect of strong winds and heavy rain. The three organisations…
A new 63-page report from the Cruising Club of America (CCA) examines 28 yacht-to-yacht crew rescues, offering practical lessons for offshore sailors who may find themselves the nearest — or only — vessel able to answer a Mayday. Produced with…
Tramore Lifeboat Assists Two Fishermen After Vessel Suffers Engine Failure
20th October 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Tramore RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat last Friday (16 October) to assist two people aboard a small fishing boat that had suffered engine failure off the Waterford coast. The crew’s pagers sounded at noon following a request to launch…
Howth RNLI has confirmed that construction is underway on its new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat, which will replace the station's Trent-class Roy Barker III next year after almost 25 years of service. Howth RNLI's new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat is already under…
Enniskillen RNLI volunteers assisted six people during two separate callouts on Lower Lough Erne over 48 hours after mechanical problems left two boats requiring assistance. Enniskillen RNLI's inshore lifeboat, John and Jean Lewis, was launched twice on Tuesday, 6 October,…
The Irish Coast Guard has responded to 2,500 incidents so far in 2026, with new rescue boats, digital systems and volunteer supports among the measures being introduced under a national transformation programme. The Irish Coast Guard has provided lifesaving assistance…
Dún Laoghaire, Rosslare Harbour, Wicklow and Sligo Bay are to receive the RNLI's new coastal lifeboat class between 2028 and 2030, under a major restructuring of rescue capabilities around Ireland and Britain. The RNLI has confirmed that four Irish lifeboat…
Thirty-eight people at risk of drowning were saved through the actions of 56 rescuers who will be honoured at Water Safety Ireland's National Awards Ceremony in Dublin on Tuesday, 13 October. The awards, taking place at the Round Room in…
The new lifeboat, operational since April, replaces the Minnie and Ernest George Barry, which launched 265 times over almost 19 years at Lough Swilly and rescued 233 people, including five lives saved. As previously reported by Afloat.ie, Davdot arrived in Buncrana on 8…
The RNLI plans to build eight of its next-generation coastal lifeboats in the first year of production, with two prototypes scheduled for 2027 and the first operational vessel expected to enter service in 2028. The charity has outlined the next…
President Catherine Connolly visited Arklow RNLI in Co Wicklow on Friday (9 October) to mark the lifeboat station's 200th anniversary, recognising two centuries of volunteer service during which crews have been credited with saving more than 443 lives. Accompanied by…
Carrybridge RNLI volunteers assisted three people in two separate incidents within 90 minutes on Saturday, 3rd of October, including a grounding near Naan Island and a person who fell into the water close to the lifeboat station. The first call…
A major multi-agency search and rescue exercise on Lough Corrib brought together rescue crews from across the west of Ireland on Saturday, October 3rd, including the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115. Hosted by Galway Civil Defence at Lisloughrey…
Portrush Lifeboat Launches to Reports of Kayakers in Difficulty Off White Rocks
4th October 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by the coastguard at lunchtime on Sunday (4 October) to reports of kayakers in difficulty at White Rocks on Northern Ireland’s North Coast. The two persons with their inflatable kayak had entered the water…
Donaghadee RNLI launched late on Wednesday night (30 September) after a fishing boat was reported to have collided with a cargo vessel east of the Copeland Islands. HM Coastguard paged the volunteer crew at 11.20 pm after a report that…
