Clogherhead Lifeboat Joins Multi-Agency Response to Rescue Fisherman and His Dog

13th October 2024

Clogherhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat on Saturday night’s call-out Credit: RNLI/Fiona Lynch

Crews from Clogherhead RNLI, Skerries RNLI and Drogheda Coast Guard were all involved in the rescue of a 10-metre fishing boat with engine problems at the mouth of the River Nanny near Laytown in Co Meath on Saturday evening (12 October).

The Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre put out a call at 5.17pm to go to the aid of the skipper who had his razor dredge deployed and was in no immediate danger.

The Clogherhead RNLI all-weather Shannon class lifeboat arrived in position at 5.30pm. The Skerries RNLI inshore lifeboat and Drogheda Coast Guard inshore RIB were on scene also.

There was only one person on board along with his four-legged crew member, a German shepherd dog who regularly goes to sea.

After confirming that both the fisherman and his furry friend were safe and sound, coxswain Tomas Whelehan and his volunteer crew established a towline to get the fishing boat back to Port Oriel.

Assisted by Barry Sharkey, mechanic and crew members Carol Holcroft, Barbara Kirk and Sean Flanagan, everyone arrived back safely in Clogherhead at 7.35pm with one very happy German shepherd wagging his tail alongside his skipper.

The crew disembarked at 7.45 after getting the charity’s lifeboat Michael O'Brien ready for its next service.

Clogherhead RNLI coxswain Tomas Whelehan said: “We were very happy on this cold night to get this fisherman and his dog back to Port Oriel in calm sea conditions. All went well for us; the skipper made the right call to get help as soon as he realised he was in difficulty as he would have been unable to return to port without our assistance.”

The RNLI added that for anyone working at sea, it’s important to keep your vessel’s stability in mind so you can significantly reduce the risk of capsize, ensure your vessel is well maintained and make sure you can stay afloat in an emergency with a life jacket, stay in touch with a radio or phone and stay put with a suitable anchor to secure your position. If you do get into difficulty, call the coastguard on VHF Channel 16 or by phone on 999 or 112.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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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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