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 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.

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

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

Bangor Lifeboat Assists in the Rescue of Five People from Stricken Speed Boat

19th April 2011

Afloat.ie Team

Bangor Lifeboat Assists in the Rescue of Five People from Stricken Speed Boat

At 2.10pm this afternoon lifeboat crew received a request from Belfast Coastguard to launch the lifeboat and assist in the rescue of 5 persons onboard a 21ft speed boat which had struck rocks close to Groomsport.

While lifeboat crew assembled, Belfast Coastguard broadcast a requested for any vessel in the vicinity of Groomsport to give all necessary assistance to the stricken vessel and her crew.

Fishery Protection Vessel Banrion Uladh was making her final approach to Bangor Harbour when the rescue alert was received. Understanding the urgency of the situation Captain Eccles responded immediately and ordered full speed towards the grounded vessel.

When on scene the Banrion Uladh launched a Rigid Inflatable Boat which was able to transfer four children from the stricken boat to the safety of the Fishery Protection Vessel. The speedboat was successfully towed off the reef. With the owner onboard RNLI Bangor Lifeboat towed the vessel to the safety of Bangor Harbour.

Captain Eccles of the Banrion Uladh also a RNLI volunteer at Bangor used this opportunity to highlight the RNLI's free sea safety check when he said 'The RNLI is a charity dedicated to ending preventable loss of life at sea, with hopefully good weather on the horizon and the boating season fast approaching it would be an ideal time for boat owners or skippers to think about a sea safety check. This free check offers excellent sea safety advice along with practical advice on what to do in an emergency. You can book your free sea safety check by contacting the RNLI Sea Safety Officer Peter Bullick on 07802 537371, he would be delighted to hear from you.'

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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