RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Clifden RNLI involved in the search operation

Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Involved in Search Operation after EPIRB is Accidentally Activated off Connemara Coast

26th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI launched both its Shannon class all-weather and Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats this morning (Friday 26 February) after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was accidentally activated, giving a position west of Turbot Island. The volunteer crews were…

Members of the Old Head/Seven Heads coastguard team abseil into the sinkhole to reach the casualty

Woman Trapped in West Cork Sea Inlet Rescued By Coastguard & Lifeboat Crew

26th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A woman was rescued from a sea inlet in West Cork after a more than 90-minute ordeal yesterday evening, Thursday 25 February. The casualty had got caught in the swelling tide just off the slipway at Dunworley Beach near Butlerstown…

RNLI are Recruiting Lifeguards for the Causeways Coast & County Down Beaches

25th February 2021 Northern Ireland Waters

RNLI Portrush has posted that RNLI Lifeguards are recruiting and applications are open for 2021. If you have a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard qualification and are interested in joining a dynamic, well-trained team responsible for keeping beach users safe around…

Dave Robinson is coxswain with Portrush RNLI

Double Afternoon Callout for Portrush Lifeboats on North Coast

24th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Portrush RNLI lifeboats were launched within an hour of each other to separate incidents on Northern Ireland’s North Coast this afternoon (Wednesday 24 February). Initially, the volunteer crew were requested to launch the all-weather lifeboat by Belfast Coastguard at…

Megan Roantree with her late father, Sean

10,000 Names to be Inscribed on Clifden's New RNLI Lifeboat

25th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lee Early, deputy coxswain of the RNLI’s Arranmore lifeboat in Donegal lost his life in 2019, but his name is one of 10,000 which will be inscribed on the hull of the new Shannon class lifeboat bound for Clifden, Co…

File image of Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Launches to Surfer in Difficulty

22nd February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was called out yesterday afternoon (Sunday 21 February) to a surfer in difficulty off Garrettstown Beach near the Old Head of Kinsale. The Trent class lifeboat with a crew of five was under way within minutes…

File image of Courtown RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Courtown Lifeboat Called to Assist After Small Boat Runs Aground

22nd February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtown RNLI braved difficult sea conditions to recover a small boat that ran aground north of Cahore Harbour in Co Wexford yesterday, Sunday 21 February. Lifeboat volunteers were called at 3.45pm to the vessel with three on board, which had…

Sea Swimmer Rescued by Galway RNLI in Southerly Gale off Salthill

20th February 2021 Galway Harbour

Galway RNLI lifeboat rescued a swimmer who got into difficulty off Blackrock beach in Salthill this afternoon during very challenging weather conditions. The alarm was raised at 12.25 pm by a pedestrian who saw the woman struggling in the water…

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Water Safety Team Produce Video on Lifejacket Checks

19th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Water Safety Team has produced a video on checking and maintaining a lifejacket lead by the RNLI's Laura Jackson (see vid below) ahead of the 2021 boating season. Choosing the right lifejacket or buoyancy aid for…

Newcastle Lifeboat's First Shout of 2021 as Teenage Girls Cut Off by the Tide on Murlough Beach

17th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The first shout of 2021 for the Newcastle RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was a call out from Belfast Coastguard just before 3 pm today to reports of two teenage girls cut off by the tide on Murlough Beach.The beach is a…

File image of Carrybridge RNLI’s volunteers on the water

Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Launch New Online Fundraising Page

13th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

As the RNLI continues to operate as normal during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity is still unable to fundraise out in person in the community. With more people needing the lifeboat crews as they stay home, support from the public…

Conditions on-scene were challenging with a 3-4 metre swell and gusting east northeast winds up to Force 6

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Launch to Ill Fishing Vessel Skipper

10th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI were launched last night (Tuesday 10 February 2021) just after 11.00 pm to go to the assistance of a seriously ill skipper on board a fishing vessel off the West Cork Coast. Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked by…

Galway RNLI Lifeboat Rescue off Seaweed Point

10th February 2021 Galway Harbour

Galway RNLI Lifeboat recovered a casualty from the Seaweed Point causeway off Blackrock, Salthill tonight. The alert was raised after a member of the public contacted the authorities at about 5 pm. The caller reported seeing a casualty at Seaweed…

Jet Ski Engine Problems Leads to Tramore RNLI Call Out

7th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Tramore RNLI Lifeboat in County Waterford was launched to assist jet-skiers in difficulty yesterday. The RNLI were alerted to the incident after a member of the public contacted the emergency services. The lifeboat was launched at 14:39 and proceeded across Tramore…

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Assist Anglers off Cork Harbour

6th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat crew in Cork Harbour went to the assistance of two anglers today (Saturday, 6 February) after their vessel had mechanical problems, one and a half miles South East of Roches Point. The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged…

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Tow Fishing Boat to Safety

5th February 2021 Greystones Harbour

Wicklow RNLI lifeboat brought two fishermen to safety today after their vessel developed engine trouble six miles east of Greystones harbour. The all-weather lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Tommy McAulay was tasked by the Coast Guard at 12:15pm and…

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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