Fethard RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat yesterday evening (Thursday 6 July) to conduct a search after a member of the public reported seeing a kayak floating in the sea off Duncannon Beach in County Wexford.

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 7.50pm. They quickly assembled at the station and the lifeboat immediately proceeded to an area north of Broom Hill to carry out a search.

Weather conditions at the time were good with a light northerly Force 3 wind and a slight to moderate sea.

The crew located the kayak with no one onboard before continuing a search from Broomhill north to Duncannon, west to Woodstown, and back south to Creaden Head and east to Templetown. This was followed by a search from Templetown to Dollar Bay.

Meanwhile, the Fethard Coast Guard unit carried out a search of the shore while the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 117 from Waterford conducted a search from the air.

The search was stood down after it was confirmed that the owner of the kayak had been safely located after swimming back to shore.

Speaking following the call out, Hugh Burke, Fethard RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘While the call out turned out to be a false alarm with good intent, we would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm when they saw the kayak. They thought someone was in difficulty and that was absolutely the right thing to do.
‘The search proved to be a great example of interagency work between ourselves and our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard.
‘We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea this summer to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket and carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. If you lose a kayak or a board, please report it to the Coast Guard or the Gardaí.’

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI launched on Wednesday afternoon (5 July) after the coastguard received a report from lifeguards on Rush beach of swimmers in difficulty some 500 metres off shore and at risk of being pulled out to sea. 

The Skerries lifeboat launched with volunteer David Knight at the helm and crewed by Ian Guildea, AJ Hughes and JP Tanner to check on the group.

The crew made their way towards Rush and began a search of the area. After stopping to speak to a group of kayakers, it became apparent that the lifeguards on the beach had mistaken them for a group of swimmers.

Once it was established that there was nobody in danger, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to Skerries.

Speaking about the callout, Skerries RNLI lifeboat press officer  Gerry Canning said: “In this case it was a false alarm with good intent. But we would remind everyone, if you see someone in trouble in the water, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

#RNLI - Larne RNLI rescued two men yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 5 July) after their yacht got into difficulty off the Antrim coast.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1.46pm following a report from Belfast Coastguard that a 30ft yacht with two people on board had got into difficulty two miles east of Muck Island.

The lifeboat, under coxswain Frank Healy, launched immediately and made its way to the scene. Weather conditions were good at the time with a Force 1 wind and clear visibility.

A fisheries protection vessel was on scene first and assisted the VHF communications between the lifeboat and casualty vessel.

Upon arrival, the volunteer lifeboat crew observed that the yacht, which had been on passage between Bangor and Campbeltown, had got its propeller tangled on fishing nets. A lack of wind had left the sailors with no means of moving forward.

The lifeboat crew worked to establish a towline and proceeded to take the vessel under tow to Larne Lough where it was met by Larne’s inshore lifeboat, which assisted in helping the yacht onto a mooring.

Dolphins that were in the area at the time also guided the vessel into the harbour.

Speaking following the callout Larne RNLI’s deputy launching authority Roy McMullan reminded anyone taking to the sea this summer to respect the water.

“Sailing and motorboating are popular pastimes particularly at this time of year. We would encourage sailors to always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling or signalling for help and ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it. 

“Always check the weather forecast and tide times and make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time.”

Rosslare Harbour RNLI has rescued three men this afternoon after their motorboat encountered mechanical problems and broke down off the Wexford coast.

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 3pm following a report from the Irish Coast Guard that the vessel was in difficulty eight miles north east of Rosslare Harbour.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Eamon O’Rourke and with six crew members onboard launched immediately and made its way to the scene. The sailors had been on passage from Dun Laoghaire to Kilmore Quay when they began to encounter problems.

Weather conditions were good at the time with a slight westerly wind.

Once on scene at 3.30pm, the lifeboat crew stood by as the sailors got their vessel started again. The lifeboat then escorted the motorboat safely back to Rosslare Harbour.

Speaking following the call out, David Maloney, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Sailing and motorboating are popular pastimes and particularly so at this time of year. We would remind sailors and anyone taking to sea to always wear a lifejacket. Always have a means for calling or signalling for help and ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it. Always check the weather forecast and tide times and make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. And should you get into trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. The RNLI provides a 24 hour search and rescue service and our volunteers at Rosslare Harbour are always ready and willing to help.’

Rosslare Harbour RNLI rescued three men yesterday evening (Monday 3 July) after their boat ran aground.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at approximately 4.30pm following a report from the Irish Coast Guard that a vessel had ran aground on the east side of Blackwater Bank.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Art Shiel and with six crew members onboard launched at 4.40pm and made its way to the scene, arriving at 5.20pm.

Cahore inshore lifeboat was also tasked and was on scene first.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a moderate breeze.

The 37ft–motorsailer with three men on-board had ran aground and broke her steering.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew worked with the Cahore inshore lifeboat crew to get the vessel off the bank which they managed to do at 6pm. All onboard were safe and well.

Two lifeboat crew members transferred onto the casualty vessel and a towline was established. The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the motorsailer back to Rosslare Harbour.

Speaking following the call out, David Maloney, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The crew onboard the vessel did the right thing this evening and raised the alarm when they got into difficulty. We would encourage anyone planning a trip at sea this summer to go prepared and to always respect the water. Should you get into trouble, the RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service and our volunteers in Rosslare are always willing and ready to respond to help anyone in need.’

Howth RNLI launched the inshore lifeboat Saturday 1st July to reports of 2 dinghy sailors finding it difficult to return to Portmarnock beach in heavy offshore winds.

The inshore lifeboat was tasked at 7.25pm to the scene just off Portmarnock beach and located a Grandfather, his grand-daughter and a lifeguard from the beach in separate dinghies trying to sail back to the shore against strong winds. The smaller dinghy was dismasted and under tow from the larger laser type dinghy.

As the young girl was showing signs of cold and fatigue the volunteer lifeboat crew called for an ambulance to meet them at the beach.

The casualties were taken aboard the lifeboat and the sailing dinghies taken in tow back to the beach where the young girl was met by her Father who had raised the alarm. Both sailors were treated and checked by the ambulance crew on arrival.

The wind was Force 5 and the sea state was moderate at the time

Speaking following the call out, Stephen Harris, Howth RNLI DLA said: ‘We were delighted to assist the sailors after they found themselves in difficulty. The Father had quickly radioed for assistance which was the correct thing to do and we were able to launch and bring the sailors to safety.’

#RNLI - Clifden RNLI’s all-weather Mersey Class lifeboat Fisherman's Friend was launched at 1.30pm on Saturday (1 July) to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel adrift six miles off Slyne Head in Co Galway.

The 11m vessel had been en route from Baltimore to Blacksod before it suffered engine problems in challenging weather conditions, with a 2m swell and Force 6 wind blowing from the north west.

The skipper requested some water to try and get his engine going again. The lifeboat crew assisted, and this initially solved the problem. However, the engine soon stalled again, and the lifeboat crew proceeded to establish a towline.

At 3.30pm the vessel was put under tow and returned to Clifden Bay. The tow took just over two hours to complete.

Speaking following the callout, coxswain John Mullen said: “We dropped the skipper off on the visitor’s moorings in Clifden Bay with the assistance of the inshore D Class lifeboat. 

“It was a good call out for the all-weather lifeboat in challenging conditions. We would like to wish the fisherman well and thank all the crew involved.”

#RNLI - Two volunteer lifeboat crew with Wexford RNLI have received the charity’s Excellence in Volunteering Award in recognition for their hard work and dedication to lifesaving.

Lorraine Galvin and David Maguire were presented with their framed certificates during the Wexford Maritime Festival, the hugely popular event the pair helped set up, over the weekend of 1-2 July.

In a citation from the RNLI’s chief executive Paul Boissier, he explained the award was in recognition for David and Lorraine’s “vision in founding the Wexford Maritime Festival back in 2012” and their “drive and energy in continuing to manage and run the festival”. 

Boissier went on to praise them for the building of links with other rescue and blue light organisations and for raising awareness of the work of the RNLI.

Welcoming the award, Wexford RNLI lifeboat operations manager Nick Bowie said: “We are very proud of Lorraine and David at the lifeboat station. They take their lifesaving role in the community very seriously and their enthusiasm is infectious. 

“Volunteering to be on the lifeboat crew is a huge commitment but to then go on and set up the festival to promote water safety and bring visitors to our town is incredible.”
The Wexford Maritime Event promotes having fun on the water safely and raises funds for the work of the RNLI. It has become one of the largest annual events held in the South East.

RNLI area lifesaving manager Owen Medland commented: “David and Lorraine have demonstrated the very highest level of volunteering both operationally and with their involvement with the Wexford Maritime Festival since its inception. Their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism is contagious.

“Both volunteers are fully deserving of this recognition and we are truly grateful for all they contribute to the saving of lives.”

Declan Geoghegan, SAR operations manager with the Irish Coast Guard, added: “In the many SAR incidents Lorraine and David have been involved in, they have been known for their dedication and dependability in all aspects. They are professional in all aspects of their work.

"The coastguard would like to congratulate Lorraine and David on this well deserved reward.”

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was called out at 12.16pm this afternoon to go to the aid of a 17–foot pleasure boat that got into difficulties off Coolmain, east of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat under Coxswain Sean O'Farrell and a crew of six launched immediately and reached the stricken causality within 15 minutes. The pleasure boat, with six persons on board had encountered engine difficulties and was blown onshore at the coastline called Nuns Cove.

On scene, the Lifeboat assessed the difficulties with the casualty and two lifeboat crew members Ciaran Hurley and Dean Hennessey used the Trent Lifeboat's X Boat to access the shoreline and secure a tow line to the stricken vessel.

The Lifeboat then proceeded to tow the boat away from the shoreline and subsequently brought them back to the safe haven of Courtmacsherry Harbour.

Conditions at sea today were blustery with Winds in the area blowing force 4/5 but rising from early afternoon.

The Crew on board today's callout were Coxswain Sean O'Farrell and crew members Stuart Russell, Denis Murphy, Mark John Gannon, Dean Hennessy and the father and son combination of Micheal and Ciaran Hurley.

Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Station LPO Brian O Dwyer commented, " We are pleased that our Lifeboat was again fast away today with our ever ready volunteers always available and that the rescue was carried out with great skill and precision on a dangerous coastline in today's winds".

#RNLI - Portaferry RNLI was called out yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 28 June) to rescue a group of four people who had become stranded on an island at the north end of Strangford Lough.

The two women and two children had become stranded on Rough Island, a small island which lies just off Island Hill in Strangford Lough between Newtownards and Comber in Co Down.

The island is accessible on foot at low tide via a concrete causeway connecting the mainland to the small island. However, the group had been cut off when the causeway submerged with the incoming tide.

The coastguard request to launch was received by Portaferry RNLI at 4.34pm and the volunteer lifeboat crew were on the water six minutes later, arriving on scene at 5.06pm.

Weather conditions at the time were partly cloudy with good visibility and calm seas.

The women and children were taken on board the lifeboat and transported the short distance to safety on shore. Once satisfied they were out of danger, the lifeboat crew returned to station ready for service.