RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Island Response: Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat heads out on a call-out. The West Cork station carried out two medical evacuations from Sherkin Island in three days in September

Baltimore RNLI in Second Sherkin Island Medevac in Three Days

22nd September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI volunteers were called out for their second medical evacuation from Sherkin Island in three days on Tuesday morning. The all-weather lifeboat launched at 9.20 am following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist a man on…

Lough Rescue: Enniskillen RNLI volunteers aboard the inshore lifeboat during the response to a grounded narrowboat on Lower Lough Erne.

Lough Erne RNLI Crews Assist Three People and Dog After Grounding

22nd September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Three people and a dog were brought safely ashore after a narrow boat ran aground on Lower Lough Erne on Tuesday, September 15th. Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis launched at 11.56 am at the request of Belfast…

Safe Harbour: Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea brings the 40ft sailing vessel safely into Wicklow Harbour following a late-night callout in Force 6-7 winds

Wicklow RNLI Brings Sailor to Safety After Late-Night Callout

21st September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI volunteers brought one person to safety after a 40ft sailing vessel lost manoeuvrability 11 miles north-east of Wicklow Harbour late on Friday night (September 18th). The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea launched at 11.10 pm, ten minutes after…

Portsmouth Lifeboat Station as seen by drone during its 2025 open day

Portsmouth RNLI Station Off Service Amid Security Concerns Over Far-Right Threats

20th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Portsmouth’s RNLI station has been closed amid security concerns arising from recent far-right anti-migrant protests. As Marine Industry News reports, the lifeboat station in Eastney has been off service since 7 September, a day after its volunteers helped bring some…

Tow to Safety: Larne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy, which launched to assist one person onboard a boat that suffered mechanical failure north of the Isle of Muck.

Larne RNLI Tows Broken-Down Boat to Safety

19th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI came to the aid of one person onboard a boat that suffered mechanical failure off the County Antrim coast on Friday afternoon, the 18th of September. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy at 2.54 pm…

First Shout: Fenit RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat Roy Barker VII responded to its first call-out on Thursday morning

Fenit RNLI’s New Shannon Lifeboat Launches on First Call-Out

18th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Fenit RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat Roy Barker VII responded to its first call-out on Thursday morning, the 17th of September, following a report of a person possibly in difficulty west of Fenit Pier. The Irish Coast Guard requested the…

Safe Harbour: Baltimore RNLI volunteers assist the 25-foot yacht alongside after freeing it from rocks near Barlogue Bay in West Cork

Baltimore RNLI Frees Yacht Grounded on Rocks off West Cork

18th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI volunteers launched on Thursday afternoon (17 September) to assist a yacht that had run aground on rocks near Barlogue Bay, around four miles from Baltimore in West Cork. The all-weather lifeboat launched at 1.31 pm following a request…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to the stricken motorboat north of Coolbawn on Monday 14 September

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Two on Motorboat Adrift With Engine Failure

17th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI assisted two people on a 15ft motorboat adrift north of Coolbawn, on the north-eastern shore of Lough Derg, after suffering engine failure on Monday afternoon (14 September). Following a request from Valentia Coast Guard, the inshore lifeboat…

Support Surge: Wicklow RNLI lifeboat pictured in a file photograph as the charity reports a significant increase in donations following abuse directed at its volunteers

RNLI Says "Significant" Boost In Donations After Far-Right Criticism

16th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) says its donations have been boosted significantly since the organisation’s volunteers were criticised by far-right agitators over migrant crossings to Britain. As The Guardian reports, RNLI staff and volunteers say they were the target…

Fog Bound: Fethard RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán at sea in poor visibility during a busy weekend in which volunteers responded to three call-outs in three days

Fethard RNLI Rescues Two in Three Call-Outs in Three Days

15th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Fethard RNLI volunteers responded to three incidents over three consecutive days at the weekend, including the rescue of two people cut off by the tide on rocks in poor visibility. The first call came at 3.15pm on Friday (11 September),…

Standing With Crews: Supporters of the RNLI demonstrate in Poole amid concerns over abuse directed at lifeboat volunteers following migrant rescue operations.

RNLI Reviewing Security After Anti-Migrant Protests

14th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI is reviewing its security procedures to protect its volunteers after anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth. BBC News reports that volunteers have been advised to consider not wearing RNLI branded clothing in certain situations. The development comes after…

Safe Return: Larne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Terry, whose volunteer crew towed a broken-down fishing boat with two people aboard to safety at Larne Boat Club

Larne RNLI Tows Fishing Boat to Safety After Breakdown

14th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI came to the aid of two people aboard a fishing boat after it broke down in Larne Harbour on Sunday morning. HM Coastguard requested the volunteer crew to launch their inshore lifeboat, Terry, at 11.59 am after someone aboard reported the…

Naming Day: RNLI Trustee Paddy McLaughlin pours champagne over Newcastle RNLI’s new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Berylium during its official naming and dedication ceremony

Newcastle RNLI Names New Inshore Lifeboats Berylium and Cameronian

13th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

The Atlantic 85 lifeboat Berylium and D-class lifeboat Cameronian were formally named during a ceremony and service of dedication at Newcastle Lifeboat Station on Saturday (12 September). The two boats have already been operational at the station, with Berylium going…

Night Watch: Red Bay RNLI stands by the 46ft yacht after it became trapped at a fish farm off Cushendall during a Mayday operation in gale-force conditions

Red Bay RNLI Rescues Six in Seven-Hour Overnight Operation

13th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Six people have been brought safely ashore following a seven-hour overnight operation by Red Bay RNLI after a yacht got into difficulty off Cushendall in gale-force conditions. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 3.22 am on…

Back Ashore: Clogherhead RNLI’s Michael O’Brien lifeboat is recovered following the rescue of five young paddleboarders and a kayaker who were swept out to sea off Port Beach in 25–30 knot winds.

Clogherhead RNLI Rescues Six Young Paddle Group in Strong Winds

13th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Six people were rescued by Clogherhead RNLI on Saturday afternoon (12 September) after a group of young paddleboarders and a kayaker got into difficulty off Port Beach in Co Louth. Clogherhead RNLI volunteers were tasked by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination…

Full Ahead: Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea, which brought two people to safety after a seven-metre boat broke down near Wolf Rock

Wicklow RNLI Tows Two to Safety After Boat Breaks Down Near Wolf Rock

11th September 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI brought two people safely ashore after their seven-metre boat suffered engine failure five miles south of Wicklow Harbour on Tuesday afternoon (8 September). The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea launched at 1.28 pm under Coxswain Nicky Keogh following…

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset