RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Safe Return — Courtmacsherry RNLI's Shannon class lifeboat Val Adnams escorts a disabled 30ft fishing boat into Courtmacsherry after taking the vessel under tow when it lost steering off the Seven Heads coastline.

Courtmacsherry RNLI Answers Two Calls in Warmest Weather

25th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather Shannon-class lifeboat Val Adnams launched twice on Tuesday, June 23, responding to separate incidents off the West Cork coast. The first call came at 8.16 am when Valentia Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre was alerted by…

The St Patrick is one of two ferries that will ply the new Hibernia Line route between Cork and France

Hibernia Line’s New Cork–France Ferry Service Is ‘Important and Proud Milestone’

25th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a new year-round ferry route operated by Hibernia Line will connect Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour with Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. Hibernia Line has said the new connection will provide a reliable option for both passengers…

File image of Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Arranmore Lifeboat Helps Four People After Boat Sustains Engine Failure

25th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Arranmore RNLI off Donegal launched on Monday evening (24 June) to a call for assistance from a boat with engine failure at Owey Island, four nautical miles from the lifeboat station. The casualty boat, which had suffered engine failure with…

File image of Skerries RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Skerries Lifeboat Launches to Two on Motorboat With Engine Failure

25th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI’s volunteers were tasked on Tuesday afternoon (23 June) to go to the aid of a four-metre-long motorboat that had suffered engine failure near St Patrick’s. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson was launched shortly after 2pm and…

Water Wise — Water Safety Ireland is urging the public to take extra care around coasts, rivers, lakes and canals during the current spell of hot weather, reminding people that awareness is a lifesaver.

Heatwave Warning Issued as Ireland Faces 30°C Temperatures

23rd June 2026 Weather

The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) has urged the public to take precautions as Ireland prepares for a spell of exceptionally warm weather, with temperatures forecast to reach 30°C later this week. A yellow high-temperature warning is…

Tide Trap — Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers assist two teenagers stranded on a sandbank at Sandymount Strand after they were cut off by the incoming tide in Dublin Bay on Monday evening.

Dún Laoghaire RNLI Rescues Teens Cut Off By Rising Tide

22nd June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers rescued two teenagers who became stranded by the rising tide on Sandymount Strand on Monday evening. The volunteer crew launched after being tasked by Dublin Coast Guard at 5.01pm to reports of two teenagers cut off…

Question Time — Ardmore quiz night fundraiser for Youghal RNLI Lifeboat. The event takes place at The Urchin Bar on 25 June, with proceeds supporting the station's volunteer lifesaving crew.

Ardmore Quiz Night To Support Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Fund

22nd June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Supporters of Youghal RNLI Lifeboat are being invited to Ardmore this Thursday for a fundraising quiz night at The Urchin Bar. The event takes place on 25 June, with registration from 7 pm and the first questions scheduled for 7.30…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to the Goat Road on Friday 19 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Brings Two to Safety From Vessel Run Aground

21st June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI’s volunteers were called to assist two people on a 36ft motor cruiser aground south of the Goat Road on Friday afternoon (19 June). At 3:33pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteer helm Chris Parker and…

Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Joval launched twice on Saturday evening 20 June

Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Launches to Rescue Six Across Two Call-Outs on Saturday Evening

20th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s volunteer crew were called early on Saturday evening (20 June) to reports of four children waving paddles on an inflatable dinghy in Killiney Bay. The call came in at 5.12pm and the crew assembled in the lifeboat…

Decade Dedicated — RNLI Chair Janet Legrand OBE KC presents Crosshaven RNLI helm Ian Venner with a Certificate of Service at the RNLI AGM in London, marking the completion of his 10-year term on the Irish Council.

Crosshaven RNLI Helm Honoured After Decade On Council

19th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Crosshaven RNLI helm Ian Venner has been recognised for a decade of service on the RNLI Irish Council. Venner's fixed term of office concluded at the RNLI Annual General Meeting in London on Wednesday. He was presented with an award…

Rescue Run — Union Hall RNLI's inshore lifeboat heads to sea during a call-out to assist two sailors after rigging damage left their yacht unable to make safe harbour entry off Glandore.

Union Hall RNLI Assists Yacht Crew Off Glandore Coast

17th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Union Hall RNLI came to the aid of two sailors after their yacht suffered rigging damage during a race off the West Cork coast on Tuesday evening. The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 8.53 pm following a request…

Muster Gathering — Royal Highland Yacht Club yachts lie at anchor in Loch Spelve during the club's 2026 Opening Muster, where 50 boats gathered on the Isle of Mull to launch the new sailing season.

Royal Highland YC Launches Season With Mull Muster

17th June 2026 Scottish Waters

Perfect spring weather provided an ideal backdrop as Royal Highland Yacht Club members launched their 2026 sailing season with two popular gatherings on Scotland's west coast. The season opened with a Social Sailing Network cruise to the annual Mull Music…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat en route to the stricken cruiser north of Illaunmore on Tuesday 16 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches to Help Five on Cruiser With Engine Failure

16th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI launched on Tuesday afternoon (16 June) to assist five people on a 32ft motor cruiser with engine failure and at anchor north of Illaunmore. At the request of Valentia Coast Guard, Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean…

Kilmore Quay RNLI’s Tamar class lifeboat Killarney in rough seas, amid lots of white spray

Kilmore Quay Lifeboat Launches to Assist Five on Motorboat Adrift in Fog

16th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched Monday afternoon (15 June) to assist the crew of an eight-metre motorboat with engine failure adrift in fog near the Saltee Islands. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat Killarney by…

Orange Alert — Ballycotton RNLI's Trent class lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn lies alongside in harbour after an overnight rescue mission that brought four people safely ashore following engine failure offshore.

Ballycotton RNLI Tows Stricken Boat to Safety Overnight

15th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Ballycotton RNLI brought four people safely to shore after a late-night rescue operation involving a motorboat with engine trouble 29 miles south of Ballycotton. The alarm was raised at 10.12 pm on Sunday, 14 June, when Valentia Coast Guard received…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to the stricken cruiser at Terryglass on Friday 12 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Four on Cruiser With Engine Failure

13th June 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI was called on Friday evening (12 June) to assist four people on a 35ft motor cruiser with engine failure at anchor close to Terryglass Harbour. At 6.25pm, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with volunteer helm Owen…

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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