RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Bangor RNLI lifeboat volunteer Joel Meharg has completed his Tier 2 Pass Out

Three Bangor RNLI Volunteers Successfully Pass Training Assessments

6th October 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Three volunteers with Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland have successfully met significant training milestones. Michael McComb is now a helm while Joel Meharg has passed all his crew training. Lifeboat operations manager Captain Byron Griffiths, meanwhile, has completed his head…

Bangor RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Ruby Robinson stands by off Skippingstone Beach on Tuesday 1 October

Bangor Lifeboat Involved in Rescue of Swimmer From Skippingstone Beach

6th October 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Bangor RNLI was involved in the rescue of a swimmer off Skippingstone Beach last Tuesday morning (1 October). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 9.49am following a request from Belfast Coastguard to assist with a…

Paul Hegarty, Head of NMCI, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, President of MTU Maggie Cusack and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland Patrick O’Donovan TD looking at a model of the MV Arklow Rover while attending a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), a strategic partnership between Munster Technological University (MTU) and the Irish Naval Service. NMCI is located in Ringaskiddy, County Cork

National Maritime College of Ireland Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Special Cork Harbour Event

5th October 2024 Maritime Training

The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), one of Munster Technological University’s (MTU) six campuses and a strategic partnership between MTU and the Irish Naval Service, marks its 20th anniversary today (04.10.2024) with a special event at its campus in…

Alan Cott, Fleet Manager Green Rebel and Ballycotton RNLI Volunteer; Kieran Ivers, CEO Green Rebel; and Síle Scanlon, RNLI at Camden Fort Meagher Crosshaven. Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel has announced its support for the RNLI which will see a group of lifeboat stations benefit to the tune of €15,000. The funds will support the running and maintenance of lifeboat stations in Arklow, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Dun Laoghaire, Howth and Galway - all areas where Green Rebel has been operating in recent years

Irish Offshore Survey Firm Green Rebel Announces Support for RNLI with €15,000 Donation

2nd October 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel has announced its support for the RNLI which will see a group of lifeboat stations benefit to the tune of €15,000. The funds will support the running and maintenance of lifeboat stations in Dublin,…

Chiming precisely with the lifeboat's number, the new Arklow Shannon class will arrive at the Irish east coast harbour town at 13:53 on October 13th

Arklow RNLI Prepare to Welcome New Shannon Class Lifeboat at 13.53 on October 13th

1st October 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

On October 13th, 2024, the Arklow RNLI's lifeboat crew will bring the new lifeboat home to the Irish east coast town for the first time. The volunteers will travel to the Lifeboat Training College in Poole, Dorset, and then plot…

The Baltimore RNLI lifeboat with the yacht with one person onboard which encountered trouble off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork

Baltimore RNLI Volunteers Rescue Injured Sailor from Yacht off West Cork Coast

1st October 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

The Baltimore RNLI received a call to assist a yacht with one person onboard that encountered trouble off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork, on Monday 30 September. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8:42pm after a…

Clifden RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Joyce King

Two Launches in 24 Hours for Clifden Lifeboats

30th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer lifeboat crew of Clifden RNLI were tasked at 5.30pm on Monday (30 September) to carry out a medical evacuation from Inishbofin. Under the command of coxswain James Mullen, Clifden’s all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was launched with Joe Acton,…

Coxswain Nick Keogh presenting Mary Aldridge with a gift from the lifeboat crew

Wicklow RNLI Bids Farewell to Retired Lifeboat Operations Manager Mary Aldridge

28th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

On Friday evening 13 September, Mary Aldridge joined lifeboat crew, operations team, fundraising volunteers, family and friends at Wicklow Sailing Club for a special event to celebrate her retirement as lifeboat operations manager. To mark Mary’s retirement, coxswain Nick Keogh…

File image of Clogherhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Clogherhead Lifeboat Comes to Aid of Fisherman After Razor Boat Gets Into Difficulty

26th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of a fisherman on Wednesday (25 September) after their razor boat broke down nine miles north of Clogherhead in Co Louth. The volunteer crew were requested by the Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to…

Galway RNLI volunteer crew Mike Swan and Joanne Casserly putting up the poster for the lifeboat station open day

Galway RNLI Crew to Host Lifeboat Station Open Day This Weekend

23rd September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew based in the RNLI lifeboat station at the New Docks in Galway will open their doors this Saturday 28 September from noon to 4pm and everyone is welcome. This will be the first open day at the…

The Galway Docklands Festival programme includes Galway Hooker workshop visits, where guests can explore the rich history of the traditional craft and see one under restoration

Galway Docklands Festival to Mark RNLI 200th Anniversary

22nd September 2024 Galway Harbour

The annual Galway Docklands Festival will mark the RNLI’s 200 years of lifeboat service during its event next weekend. Galway Hooker Sailing Club and the Galway RNLI lifeboat station are hosting the festival on Saturday, September 28th, from 12 noon…

File image of Galway RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Galway Lifeboat Crew Rescue Walker Stranded on Hare Island

21st September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard on Friday afternoon (20 September) to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide. The crew of Brian Niland, Martin Oliver…

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s crew after the Thursday night call-out

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Launches to Walker Cut Off by Tide

20th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 7pm on Thursday evening (19 September) to assist in the rescue of a walker cut off by an oncoming high tide. The distress call was raised by a member of…

File image of Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Bundoran Lifeboat Rescues Two Jet Skiers inn Difficulty Off Tullan Strand

20th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Bundoran RNLI came to the aid of two jet skiers who got into difficulty at Tullan Strand on Thursday evening (19 August). The casualties were out enjoying the good weather when they broke down outside the surf in a 1-2m…

RNLI coastal trainer Sean Ginnelly with Fenit RNLI volunteer crew member Padraig Brick and Cian Lawless

Fenit Lifeboat Diverts From Training Exercise to Rescue Two Swimmers

18th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteers at Fenit RNLI were involved in a call-out on Tuesday night (17 September) to two swimmers in difficulty at Little Samphire Lighthouse near Fenit Pier. Lifeboat volunteers were on a training exercise at sea when the call was received…

Joe Healy is the new Lifeboat Operations Manager at Wicklow RNLI

Wicklow RNLI Welcome New Lifeboat Operations Manager

18th September 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Healy as the new Lifeboat Operations Manager following the retirement of Mary Aldridge. As operations manager, Joe will be responsible for authorising the launch of the station’s two lifeboats and…

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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