#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI has announced its Lap of Lough Ree charity cycle will take place on Sunday 6 March.

As it has for the past two years, the cycle will start and finish at The Bounty at Buccaneers Rugby Club in Athlone, and will travel north through Ballymahon, cross the Shannon at Lanesboro Bridge and complete the 85km lap of Lough Ree travelling south on the Roscommon side, via Kilteevan, to cross again at Athlone Bridge.

Lough Ree RNLI relies entirely on public donations to fund its operation, and the Lap of Lough Ree is an important fundraising event for the charity organisation.

Lough Ree Lifeboat Station was the busiest station in Ireland in 2014 and rescued the highest number of people in 2015, so maintaining a high standard of service in the area is vital.

Brendan Finnegan, Lough Ree RNLI fundraising committee chairman, said: "We run a variety of events throughout the year to raise funds and we are privileged to have a huge level of support in the community.

"The cycle has proved very popular since we first organised it two years ago and it is a pleasure to run events that participants can get actively involved in. We are hoping for a big turnout again this year."

Registration for the event will take place from 9am on Sunday 6 March at The Bounty, with the cycle starting at 10am. Snack packs will be provided to all entrants and refreshments will be provided midway, at Lanesborough and also at The Bounty afterwards on return. Subject to numbers interested, an extended route may be arranged for cyclists who enjoy a more challenging ride.

The fee for entry is €25 on the day, but early entry is €20 via the Facebook entry form.

#RNLI - Howth RNLI was unveiled this week as SuperValu Sutton’s Charity of the Year for 2016.

A series of fundraising activities will take place in store throughout 2016 to support the work of the local lifeboat station, contributing to the training of the volunteer lifeboat crew members, the provision of lifejackets and crew kit, the maintenance of the two lifeboats and the station's running costs.

Rose Michael, chair of the Howth RNLI fundraising branch, expressed her thanks and gratitude to the management, staff and customers for their support.

"We are delighted to be announcing a local fundraising partnership with SuperValu Sutton," she said. :Their support and the generosity of their customers will help us to continue our lifesaving work in the community this year.

"We have a fantastic group of people who devote their time and energy, and make sacrifices to enable us to launch the lifeboats. Our volunteer crew are incredibly brave and we want to make sure that when they go to sea to save lives that they are highly trained with the best of equipment.

"When they go out on a recue they don’t know what risks they will face, and it is our priority that they come home safely."

Neville Raethorne, store manager at SuperValu Sutton, also commented: "The lifeboat in Howth provides an important service to our customers in the locality and many of the crew members shop here. We look forward to developing a successful fundraising partnership with Howth RNLI over the coming year."

With 60 launches, rescuing 58 people, Howth RNLI was the busiest coastal lifeboat station in Ireland in 2015 – a year that saw stations nationwide launch to more than 1,000 incidents.

Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued six fishermen in challenging weather conditions this morning after a 25m trawler was disabled off the coast of Dublin.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 2.50am following a request by the Irish Coast Guard that a 25m Beam trawler with six on board was in difficulty outside the Kish Bank. The crew had been fishing for scallop when a rope got caught in the vessel's propeller.

The lifeboat under Duty Coxswain David Branigan and with six crew members on board, launched shortly after 3am and made its way to the scene some 12 nautical miles south east of Howth Harbour.

In the darkness, the lifeboat crew were met by difficult weather conditions including a Force 9 strong gale and three to four metres waves.

The crew arrived on scene shortly before 4am where they assessed the situation and checked that the casualty's crew were safe. With no one in immediate danger, the lifeboat crew started working with the fishermen to set up a tow.

The high winds, poor visibility and difficult sea conditions made this task challenging and numerous attempts were made before a towline was successfully established.

In winds gusting up to 50 knots, the lifeboat began the long passage towards Howth Harbour. Despite a slow speed of two to three knots, the towline parted on three occasions along the passage.

Due to the winds and the size of the casualty vessel, Howth RNLI was requested to launch at 9.40am to provide assistance with bringing the vessel into the harbour.

The trawler and her crew were safely returned to shore at 10.40am.

Speaking following the call out, David Branigan, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Duty Coxswain said: 'Our lifeboat crew deserve full credit for their efforts in the early hours of this morning which have seen us spend some eight hours at sea. We launched in the darkness and were met by difficult weather. The high winds and rough seas made this call out particularly challenging especially when establishing and keeping a tow but we persevered and thankfully were able to return the fishermen and their vessel safely to shore.'

The very first All Ireland Nautical Table Quiz is been organised by Howth Sailing and Boating Club in aid of the RNLI.

The event will take place on the 19th of February 2016 at 8.00pm in The Marine Hotel, Sutton Cross, Dublin 13.
It will be an annual event. See poster pdf below for download.

All users and lovers of the marine are welcome - sailors, fishermen, scuba divers, surfers, kite surfers, wind surfers, open water swimmers, marine biologists, maritime historians…the list goes on. Teams of 4 can be made up of any group representing a club, a crew, a school, a group of friends or enemies for that matter.

The All Ireland Nautical Table Quiz perpetual trophy will be presented to the winning team. There will be spot prizes and raffles during the quiz.

All the monies raised will go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

You can book a table for 4 for an on-line reduced rate on the web sit here

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew in Ireland were kept busy in 2015 with 1,098 launches bringing 1,244 people to safety. At 45 lifeboat stations around the Irish coast and on inland waters, the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew were on call in all weathers. Of the recorded launches, 416 were carried out in the hours of darkness.

Howth lifeboat station in Dublin was the busiest on the coast with 60 launches and 58 people assisted. The next busiest was Clifden RNLI in Galway, who are currently trialling an all-weather lifeboat to work alongside with their inshore lifeboat. They launched 49 times and brought 20 people to safety. The majority of callouts for Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat were to medical emergencies on the neighbouring islands; often assisting the Irish Coast helicopter crew. Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched their two lifeboats 48 times and assisted 50 people.

The inland RNLI lifeboat station at Lough Ree in Athlone had a very busy year recording the highest number of people assisted. The inshore lifeboat was launched 47 times and helped 130 people to safety on the huge lough.

In Munster, Crosshaven RNLI saw considerable activity with 42 launches and 50 people brought to safety. While in Northern Ireland, Enniskillen RNLI, which operates from two separate locations on Upper and Lower Lough Erne, were called on 74 times in total bringing 89 people to safety.

The first Shannon class lifeboat in Ireland, stationed at Lough Swilly in Donegal, was also put to work. It arrived in April and during the year the station answered 20 calls for help and brought 23 people to safety. The new lifeboat’s first callout was to three fishermen reported missing after failing to return home. Their vessel had lost power and they had drifted for hours waiting for help when the Shannon arrived on scene.

The type of incidents the charity’s lifeboat crew responded can range from danger of drowning (66 launches) to searches for missing people (54 launches), grounded or stranded vessels (126 launches) or people thought to be in danger or overdue (118 launches). Machinery failure and fouled propellers (251 launches) were again a common cause for callout.

There were also a number of callouts to four-legged casualties in 2015. Ten lifeboat stations launched to incidents involving animals and mammals last year, including a dolphin in Ballycotton, a horse swept into the river at Lough Derg, eight cows who became stranded and ended up in the sea off Kinsale and seven dogs around the coast who were reunited with their grateful owners. Many of these callouts can include a threat to people as they attempt to enter the water to save an animal and in turn get into difficulty.

Gareth Morrison RNLI Lifesaving Delivery Manager said; ‘Last summer the RNLI launched its national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, warning people that the coastlines and waters can be dangerously unpredictable. This year we will continue to build on that and help inform those who enjoy the water and our beautiful coastline to take care and help reduce drowning.

In 2015 we had the honour of bringing the first Shannon class lifeboat home to Ireland. It was the first all-weather lifeboat class to be named in recognition of the contribution of the RNLI’s Irish volunteers, who have been saving lives in Ireland since 1826.’

‘Irish volunteer lifeboat crew, our fundraisers and supporters have again worked exceptionally hard serving our local communities. We would like to thank all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months. Without them our lifesaving service would not exist.’

Leesa Harwood, RNLI Community Lifesaving and Fundraising Director added; It’s humbling to see the lifesaving work of our volunteer crew and safety advisers – out of the 9,763 rescued in Ireland and the UK, 442 people are alive today because of their actions. The RNLI as a whole owes it to them to act with integrity and tenacity as we take move to opt-in communications from January 2017.

‘I’m appealing to all our dedicated supporters to help us by ticking our opt-in* box over the next few months – to hear about our rescues, our safety advice, and our events and help us save the lives of hundreds more in the years to come.’

Here's a compilation of rescues by Welsh RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards in 2015 that features rescues on the Irish sea and some close to the Irish coast too. The vid features Llandudno all-weather lifeboat escorting a yacht to safety, RNLI lifeguards rescuing a man at Llangrannog Beach, Aberystwyth lifeboat rescuing an inflatable being blown offshore, the RNLI Flood Rescue Team evacuating homes in Cumbria, Porthcawl lifeboats launching to a vessel aground at Tusker Rock, RNLI lifeguards rescuing two cut off by tide off Newgale, Pembrokeshire, two men in a dinghy rescued by Rhyl RNLI, New Quay RNLI rescing two cut off by the tide, The Mumbles lifeboat called to sinking fishing boat, the RNLI Flood Rescue Team check properties in Carlisle, Tenby Lifeboat aiding a yacht in difficulty on West Hooper Bank and Angle Lifeboat rescuing five fishermen from a sinking boat.

Lough Derg RNLI launched following a report of a vessel aground and taking on water at Carrigahorig Bay, at the northern end of Lough Derg yesterday.

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, following a report from a member of the public that a boat was seen aground and apparently taking on water in Carrigahorig Bay, close to Terryglass, at the northern end of Lough Derg.

The lifeboat, with helm Ger Egan, Dom Sharkey and Lorna Walsh on board, launched at 3.01pm. Winds were south-easterly, Force 4-5, gusting 6, visibility was good.

The lifeboat arrived at Carrigahorig Bay at 3.20pm. Crew located the 14ft motor boat tucked in close to the shore, near the cardinal mark at the entrance to the river, by Portumna. The boat was listing and taking on water. A volunteer RNLI crew member waded in to the boat to make sure that no one was trapped in the cabin.

Once it was confirmed there was no one on board, the lifeboat was stood down by Valentia Coast Guard. The boat's owner made arrangements for its recovery.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Liam Maloney said 'the person who made the call to the emmergency services did the correct thing, vigilence from the public can save lives'.

Lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI in Wexford launched yesterday afternoon to assist a kite surfer who had got into difficulty off Duncannon beach in Wexford. The alarm was raised shortly after 2pm when the man could not safely return to shore and was in danger of drifting out to sea.

Fethard RNLI operates an inshore lifeboat which can be launched from multiple locations by Land Rover. For this callout the lifeboat crew travelled from the station to Duncannon and launched to reach the casualty as quickly as possible.

Deputy Launching Authority Hugh Burke also travelled to the location to spot the kite surfer from the beach and keep in contact with the Coast Guard. The casualty was sighted a kilometre away from the beach where he had rolled up his lines and folded the kite down, using it as a sail to guide him inland.

The kite surfer was blown onto shore at Glen Bay, a short distance away and was awaiting help. However with high cliffs making communication with the lifeboat difficult and an obstructed view with the casualty’s clothing blending into the background it was impossible to guide the lifeboat to his exact location. The casualty worried that he had been missed by the lifeboat and the Coast Guard helicopter, which was also on scene and started to make his way inland through fields, leaving his gear behind him on the beach.

The lifeboat crew came upon his equipment a short time later, immediately recovered it on board and continued to search, unaware that the casualty had continued on foot overland.

Fearing the worst Hugh and the two members of the RNLI shore crew took the RNLI launching vehicle and proceeded to the spot where they had observed the man being blown in, to see if they could locate him. A short time later they met him making his way back to Duncannon over land. He was immediately taken into the vehicle where he showed no signs of injury and was brought to be reunited with his relieved family at Duncannon pier.

Commenting on the callout Fethard RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Hugh Burke said, ‘It wasn’t your usual type of callout for the lifeboat crew. I think it was the first time the launching vehicle and not the lifeboat brought someone to safety. However we are delighted that the man was found safe and sound. The lifeboat crew feared the worst when they came across his equipment and found no sign of him.

He did the right thing when he realised he was in trouble and made sure he folded up his gear so that he wouldn’t be blown out to sea and tried to steer inland. Conditions were not great with rain, low cloud and a south-easterly wind of force three to four so we are relived it had a good outcome.’

Lifeboat crew on the callout were Helm Rory O’Connor with Cathal O’Connell and Nicolette Perrella and Shore Crew Mark Brenna and Jack Butler

The RNLI have announced the replacement of the Crosshaven Atlantic 75 class lifeboat “Miss Betty” with the newer and improved Atlantic 85 Class of lifeboat.

The new lifeboat is 8.5 metres long with extra load carrying space for stretchers and the ability to take an extra fourth crewman. The new boat will also carry RADAR, direction finding equipment , a full crew communication system and uprated Navigation equipment.

The new lifeboat will be named ”JOHN AND JANET “ and will carry the service number B892. The lifeboat is expected to arrive in May and the crew will go into extensive training to familiarise themselves with the new boat.

The funding of the JOHN AND JANET came from an anonymous legacy which stipulated that the funds were to be used
for a lifeboat and that it be named JOHN AND JANET.

Commenting on the new arrival, Patsy Fegan, Lifeboat Operations Manager said, “ Miss Betty has given Crosshaven and the harbour area 14 years of sterling service and not once has she let us down. Miss Betty will retire into the relief fleet and continue to save lives around the coast of Ireland and the UK. We would like to thank the Clayton Love family once again for funding Crosshaven’s first lifeboat in 2002. Whilst we will miss “Miss Betty”, we also look forward to the increased capabilities that the Atlantic 85 will give us in the saving of lives at sea”.

A naming and dedication service for the “JANET AND JOHN “will take place at the lifeboat station on Sunday September 11th next.

Northern Ireland may be in the depth of winter but the RNLI has already begun its search for new lifeguards to patrol its 10 beaches this summer.

The RNLI today launched its 'Best Summer Job' campaign by opening beach lifeguard recruitment online.

New recruits will be kitted, paid and trained to patrol 10 beaches located on the North Antrim coast and in County Down for the charity that saves lives a sea.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Karl O’Neill said: ‘I can’t think of a better way to cure the winter blues than applying to become an RNLI beach lifeguard and get paid to save lives this summer.

‘We’re looking for strong swimmers who can swim 400m with a good level of fitness aged over 16 years old. If you have the raw ability and the will to learn we can help get you fit and qualified.’

Lifeguards come from all walks of life including college and university students, teachers, stay-at-home parents, business owners and gap year travellers, all looking to do something special with their summer.

Karl added: ‘The experience you’ll gain this summer as an RNLI beach lifeguard will stay with you for life. You’ll work with an inspiring team and make lifelong friends while getting the chance to improve your physical fitness and learn new skills.

‘There’s nothing better than making the beach your office, getting paid to train and knowing you have the first aid and rescue skills to save someone’s life at a moment’s notice. It’s the best job you’ll ever have.’

RNLI beach lifeguard recruitment opened today (14 January) at jobs.rnli.org/lifeguards.html

Visit the RNLI’s beach lifeguard web pages to find out more about working as a lifeguard this summer. Or email [email protected] for more details.