#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI assisted two fishermen on a six-metre fishing boat in difficulties off Kiloughter beach on Friday morning (5 June).

The lifeboat, with three volunteer crew, launched at 8.55am following a report that the boat had a rope caught in its propeller.

After locating the fishing vessel drifting four miles north of Wicklow Harbour, they managed to free the rope from the propeller allowing the fishermen to get underway and resume fishing.

The lifeboat crew returned to station once the Irish Coast Guard was satisfied the fishing vessel required no further assistance.

The crew on this callout were helm Graham Fitzgerald, Alan Goucher and Terry Sillery.

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist two people on board a 26ft–yacht, aground east of Mountshannon Harbour last night.

At 7.57pm on Friday evening, June 6, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people on board a 23ft yacht, aground east of Mountshannon Harbour.

The lifeboat launched at 8.08pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Dean O'Sullivan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 6, gusting 7, visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser at 8.27pm. The two people were safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. Killaloe Coast Guard were on scene and had arranged for their D-class lifeboat to take the yacht off the rocks. Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg Lifeboat to remain on standby on scene, until the vessel was off the rocks and safely tied alongside at Mountshannon.

Deputy Launching Authority, Pat Garland, advises all boat users to note that 'water levels on the lake are particularly low at the moment and to bear this in mind when passage planning'.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 10.50pm.

#lifeboat – A brave Dun Laoghaire inshore lifeboat trio have been honoured with an RNLI award for a difficult rescue off Sandymount last year. Helmsman Rory Bolton along with Dan O'Sullivan and Damien Payne have received 'special recognition' and a framed Letter of Thanks.

As Afloat.ie reported at the time, the trio rescued a kitesurfer in hazardous weather off Sandymount when the person was unable to get ashore in dangerous surf conditions.

The D-Class Inshore lifeboat launched from the ILB Boathouse at Dun Laoghaire's East Pier on the morning of New Year's Day as winds gusted to Gale Force 8.

After assessing conditions on Dublin Bay, the lifeboat proceeded towards the Booterstown end of Sandymount Strand where the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit could see the casualty in the breaking surf. The kitesurfer was taken on board the lifeboat and reunited with his family back at the lifeboat station. Medical attention was not needed.

The Director of Operations for the RNLI George Rawlinson noted that the "poor visibility, gale force winds and rough seas of up to four metres" were particularly challenging.

Recovery of the casualty from the breaking surf required the best standards of helmsmanship by Rory Bolton. Excellent seamanship ensured a safe and effective operation at the limits of the ILB's capabilities.

The award was presented to Rory Bolton who accepted it on behalf of the crew by Owen Medland, Divisional Operations Manager at the lifeboat station in Dun Laoghaire.

The D-Class Inshore lifeboat (ILB) is a fast, fully-inflatable boat equipped with VHF Radio and electronic navigation as well as First Aid equipment. The D-Class at Dun Laoghaire performs around half of the station's annual call-outs. In 2014, Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched 56 times and brought 55 people to safety.

#lifejacketawareness – Inflatable Lifejackets are without doubt the most convenient and unobtrusive PFDs available but they do need regular checks and servicing for their safe operation when needs. Leading Lifejacket supplier CH Marine is holding a Life Jacket Awareness Week this week and offering information and guidance on the safe use and care of Gas Inflation Lifejackets. The RNLI are attending and, as well as daily tips ,special offers there are also chances to win some great lifejackets. Check out CH Marine Facebook Page for more.

#dinghycapsize – Volunteer lifeboat crew with Kilkeel RNLI launched yesterday evening at 6.30pm following reports of two people in the water off Killowen Point on Carlingford Lough. It is understood a member of the public raised the alarm on seeing two people in the water after their dinghies capsized.

Conditions at the time were choppy with a force four north westerly wind and good visibility. On arriving at the scene the lifeboat crew recovered the two exhausted casualties onto the lifeboat and took the two dinghies, which were drifting, under tow. The two were very cold but conscious. The lifeboat crew returned to Killowen Yacht club and was met by members of the South Down coastguard team and awaiting ambulance.

Commenting on the rescue John Fisher, Kilkeel RNLI said; 'This was a challenging callout for the lifeboat crew. The capsize happened near a sandbank and the lifeboat helm had to manoeuvre the lifeboat very carefully to safely recover the two people. The casualties were exhausted and very cold and our crew gave them warm blankets before returning them to shore.'

#rnli – No tea. No coffee. No fizzy drinks. No wine. No beer. No orange juice. The RNLI is challenging people to give up all drinks except water for 10 days for the H2Only challenge to raise funds for the lifesaving charity.

Charlie Glynn from Kilrush RNLI is a helm at the Clare lifeboat station and he hopes that by undertaking the challenge that others might forego their beverages and stick to the water for the ten days.

The H2Only challenge runs from 5pm on Tuesday 2 June to 5pm on Friday 12 June, with participants giving up the drinks they love for 10 long days and drinking nothing but water throughout the challenge.

Commenting on the challenge Kilrush RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Charlie Glynn said, 'The H2Only challenge is extremely tough. I know that going 10 days without a morning cup of tea or coffee, a drink after work or a can of fizzy drink will be really hard but I hope that people will also see it as a healthy thing to do as well as supporting a charity that spends so much time helping people in trouble on the water.

'Every euro raised is so important to the RNLI. As a charity, we rely on the support and generosity of the public so that we can continue to save lives at sea. Everything we have at our lifeboat station from the lifeboat, to our kit right through to our training, has been funded through people giving generously to the charity. I'd encourage people to sign up to take on the H2Only challenge. Please stay on the water for those tough 10 days to help us stay on the water.'

Everyone who signs up to take on the challenge will receive a pack containing H2Only temporary tattoos to proudly display. The tattoos, which have a seafaring theme, last up to 10 days – so participants can show off their exclusive H2Only 'ink' while taking on the tough challenge.

Participants will be able to download the free H2Only app from Google Play and the Apple App Store from Tuesday 26 May. The app is designed to make the 10 days fun, with daily challenges being set and pictures and videos from other H2Only participants being shared. The Apple version of the app is also compatible with the new Apple Watch.

During the same 10 day H2Only challenge period last year, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards throughout Ireland and the UK saved 9 lives, with lifeboat crews launching 272 times and rescuing 289 people, while RNLI lifeguards attended 111 incidents and aided 189 people.

All those interested in taking on the challenge can sign-up now online at H2Only.org.uk.

#RNLI - Clifden RNLI carried out its first medical evacuation off Inishbofin island today (Thursday 21 May).

In what was the fourth callout this week for the station, the volunteer lifeboat crew was paged shortly after 11.30am following a report that a casualty required assistance.

The inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat helmed by Bernard Whelan and the all-weather Mersey class lifeboat under coxswain John Mullan launched immediately and made their way to the scene. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 from Shannon was also tasked.

Weather conditions at the time were foggy and visibility was poor. There was a Force 4-5 south westerly wind and a heavy swell.

The Atlantic 85 with crew members James Mullan, Daniel Whelan and Dermot Clancy onboard arrived on scene first. Mullan, a first aider with Clifden RNLI, went ashore and assisted the island nurse who was attending to the casualty.

When the all-weather lifeboat arrived at 1pm, the casualty was transferred to this lifeboat and brought to the mainland at Cleggan Pier where there was an ambulance waiting.

Speaking following the callout, Mullan said: "We have assisted with many medical evacuations in the past but today was the first time that our crew transported someone from Inishbofin island and brought them safely to the mainland.

"Both lifeboat crews worked well together today and we were happy to assist the island nurse in bringing this person to safety."

This was the fourth callout for Clifden RNLI this week. The crew assisted with two other medical evacuations and also went to the assistance of a yacht which got into difficulty on the shore.

#RNLI - RNLI lifeguards on the Causeway Coast helped to bring a sand dune fire under control at the weekend.

Lifeguards Jenny Thompson, Liam Mullan, James Walton and Jordan Burns were patrolling Benone Strand near Coleraine on Saturday afternoon (16 May) when, shortly after 3pm, they spotted smoke emerging from the sand dunes as they were preparing to enter the water to do some training.

One lifeguard went to investigate the incident some 400m from the rear of the lifeguard hut and observed a large fire which was spreading fast due to a strong easterly wind.

The lifeguards contacted the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service before going to the scene themselves and bringing the fire under control within 10 minutes using fire extinguishers and shovels.

While continuing to maintain an operational and safe beach, the lifeguards ensured that no one was in any danger.

The lifeguards were assisted by staff from the nearby Benone tourist complex who provided the extinguishers, the beach rangers and some members of the Order of Malta who had been providing medical cover for a half marathon which had just finished on the beach.

RNLI senior lifeguard Liam Mullan explained: "The strong easterly wind was a big factor on how fast the fire was growing and how hot it was burning. Thankfully once on scene, we were able to bring the fire under control in about 10 minutes.

"Everyone reacted quickly and worked together using the water to contain the fire to stop it traveling with the wind. We then worked from behind the blaze using the wind to keep the smoke away from us. Using shovels, we brought the flames under control."

Speaking following the incident, Tim Doran, RNLI lifeguard supervisor, said: "While the primary role of a lifeguard is ensuring people’s safety in the water, they also have a duty of care for all members of the public when on land too.

"RNLI lifeguards have a good knowledge of beach access and the surrounding areas and we would encourage any concerned member of the public who comes across such fires to raise the alarm with the lifeguards on patrol who can respond and alert their colleagues in the fire service."

#RNLI - The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI were called out on Saturday evening (16 May) to reports of swimmers in trouble near the diving boards in Bundoran.

The emergency call was received by Malin Head Coast Guard just after 7.40pm by a member of the public at the nearby golf course. They immediately requested the launch of the lifeboat as well as tasking the Irish Coast Guard's Sligo-based Rescue 118 Helicopter. 


Minutes later, the Bundoran lifeboat was in the water en route to the scene while other volunteer crew members went to the diving boards area by shore.

As there was a heavy swell running, the lifeboat was forced to sit off Roguey as the shore crew gave an update on the casualties from the scene. 

The initial 999 caller had used the ring buoy located on the Roguey walk to throw to the two teenagers to assist in their rescue, and by the time the crew had arrived they had made it to safety.

Moments afterwards Rescue 118 arrived on scene, landing on the beach to allow a paramedic to check over the casualties before they were given the all clear.
 


Speaking on their return to the lifeboat station, volunteer Killian O’Kelly said: "The two lads were very lucky that they were spotted so quickly by the person on the golf course and that the ring buoy was available so close to where the incident happened – otherwise we could have had a very different outcome.

"We would remind swimmers to be mindful of conditions they are setting out into and to passers by if you see anyone in trouble at the coast please dial 999 or 112 immediately."

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist two people on board a 30ft–cruiser, aground on the west side of the Corakeen Islands, near Dromineer Bay last night.

At 5.51pm on Sunday evening, May 17, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people on board a cruiser aground on the west side of the Corakeen Islands, near Dromineer Bay.

The lifeboat launched at 6pm with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Keith Brennan on board. Winds were south westerly, Force 5, visibility was good.

The lifeboat located the cruiser at 6.05pm, and using local knowledge navigated through safe water to the casualty vessel. A local fisherman, who had raised the alarm, was alongside the cruiser and reassuring the two people on board, neither of whom spoke any English. He departed once the lifeboat was on scene. The water was shallow enough for a crew member to wade across to the boat. RNLI crew Ger Egan communicated that they should turn their engines fully off before he could approach the stern.

After a thorough inspection that showed that the boat was not taking on water, the cruiser was taken off the rocks and towed out into safe water. There the engine and props were confirmed in good working order. With an RNLI crew member remaining on board, the cruiser made way to Dromineer Harbour, where it was tied up alongside safely 6.50pm

Deputy Launching authority, Peter Kennedy advises all boat users to 'study your charts and plan your passage before setting out from port, and to know the navigation buoys on the lake.'

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 7.25pm.