Union Hall Lifeboat In Late Night Search After Flare Sighting

14th August 2015

MacDara Conroy

Union Hall Lifeboat In Late Night Search After Flare Sighting

#RNLI - Union Hall RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew launched last night (Thursday 13 August) after a member of the public reported a flare in the West Galley Head area and raised the alarm.

Valentia Coast Guard tasked Union Hall RNLI at 10.15pm, with the lifeboat launching seven minutes later. Also involved in the search was Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 and Castlefreake Coast Guard Unit.  

The search continued for over three hours in the Glandore Bay area and was stood down at 12.50am when nothing was found. Conditions at the time were calm with good visibility.  

Commenting on the callout, Union Hall RNLI lifeboat operations manager John Kelleher said: "The call from the member of the public was genuine as the person had spotted a flare and feared someone was in trouble.

"I would ask that people please continue to raise the alarm if they see something they think is a call for help. However, people should contact the coastguard in advance if they are planning to set off flares or similar items in a non-emergency."

Wickow's lifeboats were launched to a similar false alarm yesterday afternoon, after a call to gardaí from a member of the public who reported seeing a small dinghy or raft with two occupants in difficulty south of Wicklow Harbour.

  The inshore lifeboat was on scene five minutes after launching and began a coastal search from Wicklow head back towards Glen Bay. Weather conditions in the search area were described as wind direction northeast Force 5, with moderate sea.

Meanwhile, the all-weather lifeboat conducted an offshore sweep from Wicklow head back towards Glen Bay.

Nothing was found or located after an extensive search, and the coastguard stood down the lifeboats at 1.50pm once they were satisfied no one was in danger in the area. 

"While this turned out to be a false alarm made with good intent," said Wicklow RNLI lifeboat operations manager Des Davitt, "we are thankful to members of the public who take the time and trouble to contact us when they feel someone is in trouble at sea.

"The consequences of not making that call could be disastrous."

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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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

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.

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