RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launching to the stricken Warrior 175 on Thursday morning 20 July

Youghal Lifeboat Assists Sailor in Difficulty on 17ft Pleasure Boat

21st July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI came to aid of a sailor onboard a broken-down 17ft pleasure boat that suffered engine failure some two-and-a-half miles south east of Youghal Lighthouse in East Cork. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore…

File image of Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Baltimore Lifeboat Called to Medical Emergency on Heir Island

21st July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out to a medical emergency on Thursday evening (20 July) to Heir Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 5.06pm following a request from the Irish Coast…

File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Aran Islands Lifeboat in Medevac After Biking Accident

20th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI carried out a medical evacuation on Wednesday afternoon (19 July) after a visitor had a biking accident. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 3.31pm and proceed to the pontoon at Kilronan on…

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s new all-weather lifeboat arriving back into its home port this afternoon with the yacht safely alongside

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat in Marathon Mission to Tow Disabled Yacht to Safety

18th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI were called out just before midnight on Monday (17 July) by Valentia Coast Guard to go to the immediate aid of a 29ft yacht which had suffered mast, power and mechanical difficulties some 69 miles south of Courtmacsherry…

File image of Courtown RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Courtown Lifeboat Rescues Three After RIB Breaks Down

17th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtown RNLI in Co Wexford rescued three men on Sunday afternoon (16 July) after their RIB encountered engine problems and was drifting out to sea. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 5.32pm by the Irish…

Wexford RNLI’s inshore lifeboat approaching the scene on Saturday night 15 July

Wexford Lifeboat Rescues Two People After Vessel Spotted Adrift

17th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Wexford RNLI rescued two people on Saturday night (15 July) after their boat was seen drifting. The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 11.53pm and were quickly on scene to assess the situation. With a fallen tide and the…

Youghal RNLI Aids 32ft Yacht in Difficulty Off Capel Island

17th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI in East Cork was requested yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 16 July) at 4.18 pm following a report of a sailor in difficulty half a mile from Capel Island after their boat had broken down due to a gearbox malfunction.…

Lifeboat operations manager Beni McAllister with the inshore lifeboat crew and lifeguards on Portrush’s East Strand on Wednesday 12 July

Portrush Lifeboat Volunteers Hold Joint Exercise With RNLI Lifeguards

16th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Wednesday (12 July) Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew carried out a joint simulation exercise with RNLI lifeguards on the East Strand in Portrush, on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast. The exercise was a simulation of a sea swimmer who had…

File image of Clifden RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Clifden Lifeboat Crew Rescue Three Anglers From Rocky Shoreline Near Killary Harbour

16th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI were called out on Tuesday (11 July) to assist a vessel with three anglers on board suffering mechanical failure at the mouth of Killary Harbour. Weather conditions at the time were very poor with…

Wicklow RNLI at the scene on Friday evening 14 July attempting to rescue the dog at cliffs below Wicklow Golf Club

Wicklow Lifeboats Assist Anxious Pet Owners as Dog Gets Into Difficulties

16th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched at teatime on Friday evening (14 July) following reports of a dog in the water south of Wicklow harbour. The alarm was raised by gardaí in Wicklow who were concerned that the dog owners…

The Rosslare Harbour Severn lifeboat photographed from onboard the Kilmore QuayTamar lifeboat

Yacht Taking on Water is Rescued by Rosslare Harbour and Kilmore Quay RNLI

16th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Rosslare Harbour and Kilmore Quay RNLI, in a joint operation, came to the assistance of two people on board a yacht that was taking on water eight miles northeast of Rosslare Harbour on Thursday evening (13 July 2023) The Rosslare…

The passage took the all-weather lifeboat, ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ southwest of Clare Island, arriving at Inishturk Island shortly before 8.30am

Achill Island RNLI Assist in Medical Evacuation of Woman from Inishturk

14th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI responded to a request to assist a woman requiring medical evacuation from Inishturk this morning, Friday, 14 July. The request came from the Irish Coast Guard, who had also requested the assistance of Sligo based helicopter, Rescue…

Helvick Head RNLI’s inshore lifeboat taking the 30ft fishing boat under tow on Tuesday 11 July

Helvick Head Lifeboat Assists Fisherman After Boat Breakdown Off Mine Head

14th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Helvick Head RNLI came to the aid of a fisherman on Tuesday afternoon (11 July) after they got into difficulty and needed assistance three miles off Mine Head, southwest of Dungarvan in Co Waterford. At the request of the Irish…

Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat alongside the stricken boat with engine problems near Ballyhoran Beach on Thursday 13 July

Two Call-Outs in 24 Hours See Newcastle Lifeboats Bring Four to Safety

14th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Newcastle RNLI in Northern Ireland has this week come to the aid of four people in separate call-outs over a 24-hour period. The volunteers pagers first sounded at 4.10pm on Wednesday (12 July) when Belfast Coastguard requested the crew to…

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore relief lifeboat approaches one of the casualty vessels

Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Six People in Three Rescues Within 24 Hours

13th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

In the first of three separate rescues within a 24-hour period this week, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore relief lifeboat launched on Monday (10 July) to assess a 27ft vessel with two people on board which had mechanical issues around a mile…

From left: Charlie Glynn, Tom Blunnie, Fintan Keating, Ian Lynch and Ger Keane with their Letters of Commendation from the RNLI for their part in the rescue of three people in June 2020

Kilrush Lifeboat Volunteers Receive RNLI Commendations for Saving Three Lives

12th July 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Five Kilrush RNLI volunteers have received meritorious awards from the RNLI for their part in a 2020 rescue that saved the lives of three people in storm-force conditions. Shannon Foynes Port Company were also recognised by the charity for their…

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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