RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

File image of Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Crew Rescue Swimmers Off Rosses Point

23rd November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteers were called to the rescue of four swimmers in difficulty off Rosses Point yesterday afternoon, Sunday 22 November. The four women, who were all seasoned swimmers, were caught in a swell when trying to get back…

The Oliver's fishing boat approaches the swimmer spotted taking refuge on Palmer’s Rock, about 200 metres from shore.

Swimmer Rescued by Olivers in Galway Bay

21st November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway Harbour father and son Patrick and Morgan Oliver have recorded another rescue, saving a swimmer who got into difficulty off Salthill on Saturday morning. The Olivers were fishing off Salthill in Galway Bay on Saturday morning when a swimmer…

Mary Aldridge is New Lifeboat Operations Manager at Wicklow RNLI

19th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI lifeboat Station is pleased to announce that Mary Aldridge has taken on the volunteer role of Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) following the recent retirement of Des Davitt. As Lifeboat Operations Manager Mary will now be responsible for managing…

Swanage RNLI’s second coxswain Gavin Steeden wearing PPE

Demand on RNLI Lifeboat Crews Soared as Summer Lockdowns Eased in UK & Ireland, New Data Shows

17th November 2020 Coronavirus and Boating

The RNLI says its volunteer crews faced an “unprecedented” summer as statistics reveal a big increase in callouts to people in distress compared to the same time last year. Based on provisional incident reports from lifeboat stations around the UK…

File image of Kilkeel RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Kilkeel Lifeboat Rescues Windsurfer Off Cranfield Point

16th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilkeel RNLI launched to the rescue a windsurfer who got into difficulty off Cranfield Point on Saturday (14 November). The volunteer crew set out on their inshore lifeboat at 3.25pm on Saturday as part of a multi-agency tasking that also…

Des Davitt has retired after 27 years volunteering with the RNLI

Wicklow RNLI Operations Manager Des Davitt Retires

16th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Operations Manager at Wicklow lifeboat Station since 2004, has retired after 27 years volunteering with the RNLI. Des joined the RNLI Wicklow committee in 1993, becoming vice chairman in 1995 and taking charge of all fundraising for the branch with…

Galway's Seaweed Point between Blackrock and Silverstrand which is accessed at low tide

RNLI Appeal to Walkers Not to Try to Swim Ashore if Caught by Tide After Galway Rescue

16th November 2020 Galway Harbour

Galway RNLI's deputy launching authority (DLA) has appealed to people not to try to swim ashore if caught in a tidal situation while walking. Paul Carey, DLA at the Galway station, issued his appeal after the rescue of a man…

RNLI Newcastle All-weather lifeboat Eleanor and Bryant Girling

RNLI Newcastle locates Missing Swimmer in Dundrum Bay (Updated)

14th November 2020 Northern Ireland Waters

Just three days after the return of Newcastle RNLI station's D class lifeboat, Eliza, after a refit, in the late afternoon yesterday, Belfast Coastguard requested the immediate launch of the both the station's Lifeboats to reports of an overdue swimmer…

Dauntless Courage will be launched online in a panel discussion

Book Launch Celebrates ‘Dauntless Courage’ & the History of Dunmore East RNLI

13th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Radio presenter Damien Tiernan will lead an online panel discussion (Wednesday 25 November at 8 pm) with ‘Dauntless Courage’ author David Carroll and Dunmore East RNLI volunteer crew members. WLR FM radio presenter, former South East correspondent for RTE and…

Bangor RNLI's Atlantic 85 Jessie Hillyard

Bangor & Newcastle RNLI Welcome Their Lifeboats Home After Refit

13th November 2020 Northern Ireland Waters

Last Tuesday saw the return of the Bangor RNLI's Atlantic 85 Jessie Hillyard from her refit on the Isle of Wight, where she has been since February. Her replacement, 'Vivacious Atlantic' served the station well in the interim but the…

Tynemouth RNLI attempts to tow the badly damaged trawler after the collision on Sunday afternoon

Fishing Boat Sinks After Collision with Cargo Ship Off England’s North-East Coast

10th November 2020 Ports & Shipping

A fishing boat has sunk after a collision with a cargo ship off England’s North Tyneside coast. The incident occurred at 3.40pm on Sunday afternoon (9 November) just under a mile (1.6km) north of the Tyne piers. The skipper of…

File image of Kilrush RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Kilrush Lifeboat Launches to Capsized Catamaran in Shannon Estuary

9th November 2020 Shannon Estuary

Kilrush RNLI’s volunteer crew were called out yesterday morning (Sunday 8 November) to a report of a capsized catamaran drifting near Corlis Point on the Shannon Estuary. The lifeboat crew launched within minutes of the 11.30am call and quickly reached…

Lough Derg RNLI Feature on BBC TV Series 'Saving Lives at Sea'

9th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer lifeboat crew at Lough Derg RNLI will be taking to the small screen again on Tuesday 17 November at 8 pm, as they feature in the seventh episode of the BBC TV series Saving Lives at Sea. Real-life…

Launch of New Irish Children’s Book on Connemara is a Boost to Clifden Lifeboat Team

6th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

A new children’s book focusing on the local history and mythology of the North West Connemara region has been launched this week in Co Galway. And a portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Clifden RNLI lifeboats for…

The helicopter lowered a winchman and the casualty was successfully transferred to the helicopter for immediate evacuation to Cork University Hospital

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Launches to ill Fisherman off West Cork Coast

4th November 2020 Fishing

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was launched last night at 22:54 to go to the assistance of a seriously will fisherman on board a fishing vessel off the West Cork Coast. Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked by Valentia Coastguard Radio at 22:46…

Oban RNLI approaching the broken down fishing boat in Loch Etive

Oban Lifeboat Assists Fishing Vessel in Storm Aiden

1st November 2020 Scottish Waters

As Storm Aiden brought its gale-force winds and driving rain from Ireland to western Scotland, Oban RNLI launched to assist a fishing vessel in distress in Loch Etive. The 22ft fishing boat, with four on board, had broken down west…

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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