RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Portrush RNLI Launches to Reports of Injured Teenager Near Ballintoy Harbour

20th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard yesterday morning (Saturday 19 June) at 11.52am to reports of an injured teenager near Ballintoy. Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were requested to launch as…

The yacht was towed to Greystones harbour using the RNLI's new towing equipment

Yacht off Greystones With Fouled Propellor Brought to Safety by Wicklow RNLI

20th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Shortly after 11 pm this Saturday evening, Wicklow RNLI volunteers were assembling at the lifeboat Station following a Coast Guard pager alert. Ten minutes later at 11:13 pm Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat slipped its moorings at the south quay and…

File image of Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat William Henry Liddington

Bundoran RNLI Makes Safety Plea Ahead of Summer Months

19th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

As the summer months approach, Bundoran RNLI is calling on everyone looking forward to a boat trip at sea to plan ahead so they can enjoy their day safely. The plea comes after a group of people whose boat had…

Ballyglass RNLI volunteers with Belmullet Tidal Pool Swimmers

Ballyglass RNLI & Belmullet Tidal Pool Swimmers Win Mayday Golden Welly Award

19th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Ballyglass RNLI and Belmullet Tidal Pool Swimmers in north-west Co Mayo have won a Golden Welly for their recent fundraising efforts for the charity that saves lives at sea. The RNLI award for Best Community Partnership Fundraiser, which is one…

Lough Derg RNLI approaches the cruiser inside the G navigation mark on Thursday afternoon 17 June

Second Cruiser Aground In 24 Hours Prompts Lough Derg Lifeboat Launch

18th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI launched on Thursday afternoon (17 June) to assist two people on a 28ft cruiser aground inside the G navigation mark, north of Drominagh Point on Lough Derg. The inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer arrived on scene at 12.50pm,…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer approaches the cruiser aground near Terryglass Harbour

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launched to Cruiser Aground at Terryglass Harbour

17th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI launched on Wednesday evening (16 June) to assist two people on a 32ft cruiser aground by the entrance to Terryglass Harbour, at the northern end of Lough Derg. At 6.48pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier set off…

Larne Lifeboat Assists Kayaker in Difficulty Near Portmuck

16th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard on Saturday (12 June) to reports of a kayaker in the water north-east of Skernaghan Point, close to Portmuck in Islandmagee on Northern Ireland’s East Antrim coast. Launching the inshore lifeboat…

Clifden RNLI helm Alan Pryce receives a letter of commendation from chairman Percy Hyand

Four Clifden Lifeboat Crew Members Recognised for Rescue of Lone Sailor

16th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Four Clifden RNLI crew members who went to the aid of a sailor stranded on the rocks of Inishark have received letters of commendation for their role in the complex rescue operation. On 20 September 2019, in severe weather conditions,…

Enniskillen RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat John and Jean Lewis

Enniskillen Lifeboat Rescues Four on Speedboat Adrift on Lough Erne

14th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Enniskillen RNLI launched to the aid of four people on a speedboat adrift in shallow water in the vicinity of Castle Archdale yesterday (Sunday 13 June). Following a request from Belfast Coastguard, the volunteer crew launched the station’s inshore lifeboat…

The cruiser was towed off the rocks and following inspection towed to Barley Harbour

Lough Ree RNLI Rescue Thirteen People on Board Stranded Boats on the Longford Lake Shore

14th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew went to the aid of thirteen people as it responded to three separate call-outs on the northern waters of the lake over the past weekend. The most significant event was on Saturday (12 June)…

Lough Derg RNLI sets up an alongside tow for the 35ft cruiser on Friday evening 11 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches To Cruiser With Fuel Problems

12th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to launch to assist four people on a 35ft cruiser with fuel problems yesterday evening, Friday 11 June. The vessel was reported to be near Navigation Mark F, north…

An Cathaoirleach of DLRCoCo, Cllr Una Power pictured with Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteers

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Signs Up to Become RNLI Local Ambassador

11th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) has signed up to become an RNLI Local Ambassador, committing itself to sharing vital water safety messages with the public throughout the council area this summer. The RNLI — which has three lifeboat stations in…

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Margaret, Joan and Fred NYE

Medevac from Inis Oírr for Aran Islands Lifeboat

9th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteer crew on Inis Mór were asked to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat just before noon yesterday (Tuesday 8 June) by the Irish Coast Guard for a medevac. A woman on the neighbouring island of Inis…

Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat in action

Bundoran Lifeboat Launches as Paddle Boarders are Blown Out to Sea

9th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Bundoran RNLI in Co Donegal were requested to launch on Tuesday evening (8 June) to reports of two paddle boarders being blown out to sea off Mermaid’s Cove in north Co Sligo. The emergency call was made just after 6pm…

Larne Lifeboat Rescues Two on Fishing Boat With Engine Trouble

8th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Terry was launched yesterday (Monday 7 June) at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assist two people in a 17ft fishing boat with suspected engine issues. Launching the lifeboat into a strong sea breeze, the volunteer…

Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew with a tow line attached to their inshore lifeboat

Seven Rescued by Lough Ree RNLI Over Bank Holiday Weekend

8th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched came to the assistance of two cruisers on the lake over the bank holiday weekend, taking seven people to safety. Just after lunchtime on Saturday (5 June), the volunteer crew responded to a call from…

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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