RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier speeds to the casualty vessel in Youghal Bay on Monday afternoon 17 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Two on Speedboat With Engine Failure

19th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch on Monday afternoon (17 June) to assist two people on a 16ft speed boat that ran aground in Youghal Bay after suffering engine failure. At 1.31pm, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with…

The Clogherhead RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat

Clogherhead RNLI Comes to the Aid of a Disabled Vessel Near Clogherhead

17th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Clogherhead RNLI volunteers were called upon to assist a disabled vessel off the northeast coast near Clogherhead. Clogherhead Coast Guard requested that Clogherhead RNLI volunteers launch the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat on Sunday, 16th June, at approximately 4.30 p.m. to…

RNLI to Launch ‘Float to Live’ Campaign During National Water Safety Awareness Week

15th June 2024 Water Safety

To mark National Water Safety Awareness Week in Ireland, this Tuesday (18 June) the RNLI will launch its Float to Live campaign at the Forty Foot swimming spot in Sandycove with a demonstration on how to carry out the technique…

File image of Bangor RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Bangor Lifeboat Assists Two on Vessel With Engine Difficulty Near Groomsport

13th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Bangor RNLI launched to the aid of two people on Wednesday evening (12 June) after their boat encountered engine problems near Groomsport. At 8.35pm, Bangor’s RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Jessie Hillyard following a request from Belfast Coastguard…

The new currach 'an bideach', built in Kilkenny, will be launched on the River Barrow at Carlow in July

Traditional Currach Built in the Midlands in Aid of Mental Health Services and RNLI

13th June 2024 Currachs

Three Irish men have come together to build a traditional Currach in aid of two charities, Teac Tom Mental Health Services and the RNLI. Pat Comerford of Carlow Rowing Club, along with Pat Sweeney of Achill and Paul Palmer of…

Karol McNern from Ballyshannon, a former helm at Bundoran RNLI, will ride unsupported from Malin to Mizen — a 1,225km route from one end of Ireland to the other — and back

Donegal Cyclist to Attempt World Record Ride From Malin to Mizen and Back in Aid of Bundoran RNLI

12th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

A Donegal cyclist is set to embark on a mammoth world-record cycle attempt, riding unsupported from Malin to Mizen — a 1,225km route from one end of Ireland to the other — and back. The gruelling non-stop ride is set…

Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew assess the second casualty when brought onboard the lifeboat in the man-overboard exercise on Sunday 9 June

Portaferry RNLI Enjoys Joint Training Exercise on Strangford Lough

11th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI joined the Strangford ferry service and Portaferry Coastguard on Sunday morning (9 June) for a planned man-overboard exercise on Strangford Lough. The exercise focused on an alert that one, then two people had fallen overboard. There was a…

Galway RNLI return to the dock in Galway Harbour with the capsized vessel in tow

Galway RNLI Rescues Three After Boat Capsizes off Salthill

11th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

In a dramatic rescue operation, the Galway RNLI saved three individuals after their boat capsized off Salthill yesterday evening. The Irish Coast Guard swiftly dispatched the volunteer crew following reports of a small boat in distress off Blackrock in Salthill,…

File image of Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis

Enniskillen Lifeboat Helps Six After Boat Gets Into Difficulty on Lough Erne

10th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

At 10.55pm on Friday evening (7 June), Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a boat with six people onboard, which had encountered difficulties while making its way from…

Youghal RNLI observes Helvick Head’s inshore lifeboat approaching the 35ft yacht in difficulty

Youghal and Helvick Head Lifeboats Come to Aid of Sailor Onboard 35ft Yacht

10th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer crew in East Cork were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 4.03pm on Sunday (9 June) to assist a sailor onboard a 35ft yacht that had suffered steering failure some two miles south of Mine Head…

Newcastle lifeboat and Portaferry lifeboat tow the Newcastle lifeboat and Portaferry lifeboat towing the dismasted casualty vessel

Newcastle and Portaferry Lifeboats Come to the Rescue of Dismasted Yacht

9th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

The all-weather RNLI lifeboat Leonard Kent from Newcastle was launched early on Saturday to aid a 29-foot yacht with four people on board, approximately 20 miles southeast of Newcastle. The yacht had suffered a dismasting, prompting an urgent response from…

Local artist and Wexford woman Helen Mason (left) is joined by volunteer lifeboat crew from Fethard RNLI to launch Be by the Sea: (from second left) Michael Cooper, Clara Bracken, Paddy O’Regan and Trica Rice

Wexford Woman Calls on Public to ‘Be by the Sea’ and Help Raise Funds for RNLI

9th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

A Wexford woman living on the Hook Peninsula has been inspired to create a new fundraising initiative for the RNLI, which also promotes the benefits of being by the sea. Local artist Helen Mason, who is married to a local…

Lough Derg RNLI’s lifeboat Jean Spier en route to the reported location of the swimmer in difficulty on Saturday 8 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches to Report of Swimmer in Difficulty

8th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard on Saturday afternoon (8 June) to locate and assist a swimmer reported to be in difficulty by a member of the public on shore. The bystander could see the…

Over 300 swimmers took to the Celtic Sea as part of Dunmore East RNLI Open Water Swim 2024

Dunmore East RNLI Open Water Swim Makes a Splash Over June Bank Holiday Weekend

6th June 2024 Sea Swim

This past weekend, hundreds of swimmers of varying skill levels gathered to take part in the thrilling Dunmore East RNLI Open Water Swim. The event, which is supported by EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, serves as…

Wicklow's all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams

Five Rescued by Both Wicklow RNLI Lifeboats After RIB Breaks Down Offshore

6th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI brought five people to safety yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 5 June), after their vessel developed mechanical problems five and a half miles south of Wicklow Harbour. The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 4:10…

Lough Ree RNLI crew on the inshore lifeboat Tara Scougall

First Shouts for New Crew on Lough Ree Lifeboat Called to Assist 11 People in Single Week

5th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteers were on the water to four boats in difficulty on the lake within the span of seven days. Just before 4pm on Sunday (2 June) Lough Ree RNLI was requested by the Irish Coast Guard to…

Start
Prev
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next
End

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