RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Safe Return — Galway RNLI crew return to the lifeboat station after towing a disabled 19ft boat with three people aboard to safety from off Blackrock, Salthill. From left: Kenneth Kitterick, Paddy Hennelly, Brian Niland and Darragh Heskin. Photo: Galway RNLI

Galway RNLI Tows Disabled Boat to Safety Off Salthill

16th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Three people were brought safely to harbour after their 19ft boat suffered engine failure off Blackrock, Salthill, on Wednesday afternoon. Galway RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew launched shortly before 4pm at the request of the Coast Guard after a call for…

Wind Warning – Tramore RNLI's inshore lifeboat heads across Tramore Bay after two paddleboarders became stranded by a strengthening offshore wind and were unable to paddle safely back to shore.

Paddleboarders Rescued After Offshore Wind Catches Pair

15th July 2026 Surfing

Two paddleboarders were rescued off the Waterford coast after becoming stranded by an offshore wind while paddling in Tramore Bay on Monday evening. The pair got into difficulty west of Great Newtown Head when a strengthening north-easterly breeze prevented them…

Blown Away – Newcastle RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Enid Foster MBE returns after rescuing two people and a dog whose inflatable drifted half a mile offshore

Newcastle RNLI Rescues Two People and Dog Drifting Offshore

15th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Two people and a dog were rescued after an inflatable drifted around half a mile offshore off the County Down coast on Sunday afternoon. Newcastle RNLI launched its relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat Enid Foster MBE at about 4pm after Belfast…

Double Launch: Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched during one of two multi-agency call-outs on Monday as crews responded to incidents at Silverstrand and Magheramore beaches.

Wicklow RNLI Launch Twice to Beach Emergencies in One Day

14th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI launched twice on Monday afternoon after separate reports of people in difficulty in the water at Silverstrand and Magheramore beaches. Both incidents involved multi-agency responses coordinated by the Coast Guard, with RNLI volunteers, Rescue 116, Coast Guard shore…

Medal Milestone: Galway RNLI helm Martin Oliver displays his 20-year long service medal at Galway Lifeboat Station after two decades of volunteer service helping save lives on Galway Bay.

Galway RNLI Honours Crew for Decades of Lifesaving Service

14th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Three Galway RNLI volunteers have been recognised for their long service to the charity, with two crew members receiving 30-year awards and a third honoured for 20 years of volunteering. The awards were presented at a recent RNLI volunteer recognition…

Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on Lough Erne

Enniskillen and Carrybridge Lifeboats Assist 21 in Five Separate Call-Outs Over Busy NI Bank Holiday Weekend

14th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Northern Ireland’s July Bank Holiday weekend got under way with two separate call-outs for volunteers at Enniskillen RNLI. On Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July, the volunteer crew were tasked by Belfast Coastguard to two separate incidents in the…

Stormy Stan at last year’s Vintage Car Show hosted by Bundoran RNLI

Countdown Is On for Bundoran RNLI’s Vintage Car Show

14th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

The countdown is on in Bundoran as the local RNLI lifeboat crew prepare to host the much-anticipated Vintage Car Show this Sunday 19 July from noon to 4pm at the West End Car Park. This family-friendly event promises a fantastic…

Safe Return: Red Bay RNLI's all-weather and inshore lifeboats return after rescuing a lone kayaker who got into difficulty in heavy sea swell off Cushendun late on Sunday night.

Red Bay RNLI Rescues Lone Kayaker Off Antrim Coast at Night

13th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Red Bay RNLI volunteers launched both lifeboats late on Sunday night after a lone kayaker got into difficulty off the County Antrim coast. The kayaker had set out at about 6.30 pm but ran into trouble around one and a…

Ready to Respond — Volunteer crew aboard Lough Ree RNLI's inshore lifeboat Tara Scougall on the River Shannon at Athlone. The station is inviting prospective volunteers to attend two open evenings and learn about joining the RNLI.

Lough Ree RNLI Seeks New Volunteers at Open Evenings

13th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI is inviting members of the local community to explore volunteering opportunities during two open evenings at its lifeboat station later this month. The charity, which provides the lifeboat service on Lough Ree and the River Shannon, is…

Swift Response: Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea departs Wicklow Harbour during the multi-agency rescue operation at Magheramore, where two people were safely brought ashore.

Wicklow RNLI Aids Rescue at Magheramore Beach

12th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI volunteers joined a multi-agency rescue on Saturday after reports of a swimmer in difficulty at Magheramore. Both the station's all-weather and inshore lifeboats were launched following a Coast Guard alert at 3.30 pm. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter…

Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launching from Duncannon on Thursday morning 9 July

Fethard Lifeboat Launches After Call to Help Dog Trapped in Oyster Beds

12th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Fethard RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked on Thursday morning (9 July) to assist a dog walker at Woodstown Beach. The concerned individual had contacted the Irish Coast Guard for help when their dog became trapped in the oyster beds…

Larne RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat Machiko Nancy entering the Port of Larne

First Shout for Larne RNLI’s Latest Volunteer to Assist Broken-Down Fishing Boat

12th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteer Andy Purves was called into action for his first shout with Larne RNLI on Thursday evening (9 July) when the Northern Ireland lifeboat crew came to the aid of three on a broken-down fishing boat. Andy, who recently joined…

Prompt Response: Bangor RNLI volunteers launched after a 22ft motorboat lost power in Belfast Lough, towing the disabled vessel safely back to Bangor Harbour following a Coastguard request.

Bangor RNLI Tows Disabled Motorboat to Safety in Lough

11th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Bangor RNLI volunteers came to the aid of a motorboater after a vessel lost power in Belfast Lough on Wednesday evening. Belfast Coastguard requested the launch at 6.10 pm following reports of a 22ft motorboat adrift around half a mile…

A Lifesaving Legacy: Larne RNLI will officially name its new Shannon class lifeboat, Machiko Nancy, on 18 July, honouring the generosity of donors whose support has helped secure the station's future search and rescue service.

Larne RNLI to Officially Name New Shannon Lifeboat

11th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI will officially name its new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat, Machiko Nancy, at a ceremony in East Antrim Boat Club on Saturday, 18 July. The lifeboat entered service in February and replaces the station's Trent class lifeboat Dr John McSparran, which…

Swift Response: Carrybridge RNLI's inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards on Lough Erne. Volunteers launched after reports of a grounded sailing yacht before confirming the two people aboard were safe and the vessel undamaged.

Carrybridge RNLI Checks Yacht After Grounding on Lough Erne

9th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI launched on Tuesday evening after a six-metre sailing yacht with two people on board ran aground south of Kilmore Quay on Lough Erne. The inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was requested by Belfast Coastguard at 8.23…

Ready Response: Newcastle RNLI's D class lifeboat Cameronian launched after reports of a child's inflatable drifting offshore from Newcastle Beach. Volunteers recovered the inflatable after a precautionary search.

Newcastle RNLI Searches After Inflatable Drifts Offshore

9th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats

Newcastle RNLI launched a search off Newcastle Beach on Tuesday evening after members of the public reported seeing a small inflatable drifting out to sea. The volunteer crew launched the inshore D class lifeboat, Cameronian, at 6.35 pm following a request…

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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