Galway RNLI has marked 30 years of lifesaving service on Galway Bay. Since going on station on 27 March 1996, the volunteer crew has launched 816 times. They have aided 498 people, saving 74 lives. The service was established following a series of incidents in the early 1990s. A local RNLI fundraising committee led the campaign, supported by the maritime community and search-and-rescue agencies.
In April 1994, the RNLI confirmed an Atlantic 21 lifeboat would be stationed in Galway for evaluation. The first volunteers were trained in Cowes in October 1995, with the temporary lifeboat arriving a month later. Initially, the vessel was stored at the workplace of founding member Pat Lavelle. It was transported by trailer to the docks for launch.
By 1996, a launching davit and temporary facilities were installed. A purpose-built station followed in 1997, alongside the arrival of the first permanent lifeboat, Dóchas. In 2011, Dóchas was replaced by the current Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Binny. The vessel is 8.44 metres long and can reach speeds of up to 35 knots.
Paul Carey, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said the milestone reflects decades of volunteer commitment. “The last 30 years of the lifeboat in Galway are due to the many people who gave their time and energy to fundraise and establish the RNLI service,” he said. “It has also been made possible by the many crew who drop whatever they are doing day or night to respond when their pagers go off.”
The station covers Galway Bay east of a line between Blackhead in County Clare and Spiddal in County Galway. Carey said the crew aims to launch within 10 minutes of a Coast Guard request, day or night.
There are currently 37 volunteers attached to the station. Roles include sea-going crew, shore support, training, administration and fundraising. “We are very appreciative of the support from the community in Galway and beyond,” Carey added. “We look forward to the next 30 years and more of saving lives at sea.”
