Displaying items by tag: All In A Row Liffey Challenge

18th February 2024

All In A Row Liffey Challenge Raises €20,000 for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit

Dubliners came together early last December for the All In A Row Liffey Challenge, with the aim of raising funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit. The challenge for the rowers and paddlers was to smash a 1,000km target in just eight hours.

Over fifty boats, including skiffs, kayaks, canoes, dragon boats and currachs, took to the River Liffey to complete the challenge. The rowers, paddlers, supporters and sponsors all showed great generosity, and special thanks were given to Dublin Port, Dublin City Council, Google, Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, SIPTU painters and Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association for their valued support.

The event, organised by the All in a Row Challenge Crew, started from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge). The rowers turned just before the Ha’penny Bridge, rowing back down the river to the Tom Clarke Bridge. This annual challenge is undertaken to showcase the River Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities while raising funds for the water-related charities, RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.

The event raised an impressive €20,000 this year for these two rescue charities. The All In A Row Liffey Challenge has become a beloved event in the Dublin community, bringing people together to support important causes while celebrating the city’s beautiful River Liffey.

Dave Kelly, Founder of All in a Row Liffey Challenge, receiving a photo print from the photographer Alan Betson

The All in a Row Crew are Dave Kelly(Chair) - Draiocht Na Life, Philip Murphy -St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Eoin Gaffney - Phoenix Masters Swimming Club, Mick Curry -Stella Maris Rowing Club, Peter Carey – Phoenix Rowing Club, Richie Nolan – Phoenix Rowing Club, Joe Morrison – East Wall Water Sports Group, Dave Cox – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Gerry Coonan – Wild Water Kayak Club, Seamus Hallahan – Dublin Vikings Dragon Boats, Eugene Kierans & Richard Kaye – Irish Underwater Search and Recovery, Rose Michael, Royal National Lifeboat Institution- Howth Lifeboat Station.

On-the-water support was provided by RNLI Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club, East Wall Water Sports Centre and the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit. The Sea Scouts from 1st Port Dublin and
5th Wicklow (Bray) provided very welcome hot drinks ashore.

The RNLI Water Safety Teams from Howth and Dun Laoghaire were on shore sharing water safety advice and lifejacket information.

Published in River Liffey

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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