Fethard RNLI Rescues Two in Three Call-Outs in Three Days

15th September 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fog Bound: Fethard RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán at sea in poor visibility during a busy weekend in which volunteers responded to three call-outs in three days

Fethard RNLI volunteers responded to three incidents over three consecutive days at the weekend, including the rescue of two people cut off by the tide on rocks in poor visibility.

The first call came at 3.15pm on Friday (11 September), when the Irish Coast Guard requested assistance for a person suffering a medical emergency aboard a vessel travelling to Slade Harbour.

The crew travelled by road to Slade Harbour to launch the inshore lifeboat but, on arrival, found the person was already ashore and being assisted by the Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard unit. The volunteers remained until an ambulance arrived.

Two Rescued From Rocks

On Saturday evening, the station’s D class inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán launched at 6.52pm after two people were reported cut off by the tide on rocks north of Sandeel Bay.

The pair were located at 7.22pm in fog, a Force 5 wind and high tide, with waves breaking over the rocks.

The crew deployed the anchor and veered the lifeboat towards the rocks before safely taking both people aboard. They were brought to Slade Harbour and met by the local Coast Guard unit.

Divers Located Safely

The third call came at 2.51pm on Sunday, following reports of divers unaccounted for at Slade Rock.

As the lifeboat launched in fog and a Force 4 wind, the Coast Guard confirmed the divers had been located safe and well and no further assistance was required.

Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Domini Codd said the three incidents demonstrated the “selfless and dedicated nature of our volunteers who are always ready to answer the call for help”.

She also praised those who raised the alarm, adding: “It highlights the importance of always having a suitable means of calling for help when visiting the coast.”

Anyone who gets into difficulty or sees someone in difficulty on or near the water should use Marine VHF channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Tagged under

RNLI
Fethard

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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