RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Clifden RNLI helm Alan Pryce receives a letter of commendation from chairman Percy Hyand

Four Clifden Lifeboat Crew Members Recognised for Rescue of Lone Sailor

16th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Four Clifden RNLI crew members who went to the aid of a sailor stranded on the rocks of Inishark have received letters of commendation for their role in the complex rescue operation. On 20 September 2019, in severe weather conditions,…

Enniskillen RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat John and Jean Lewis

Enniskillen Lifeboat Rescues Four on Speedboat Adrift on Lough Erne

14th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Enniskillen RNLI launched to the aid of four people on a speedboat adrift in shallow water in the vicinity of Castle Archdale yesterday (Sunday 13 June). Following a request from Belfast Coastguard, the volunteer crew launched the station’s inshore lifeboat…

The cruiser was towed off the rocks and following inspection towed to Barley Harbour

Lough Ree RNLI Rescue Thirteen People on Board Stranded Boats on the Longford Lake Shore

14th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew went to the aid of thirteen people as it responded to three separate call-outs on the northern waters of the lake over the past weekend. The most significant event was on Saturday (12 June)…

Lough Derg RNLI sets up an alongside tow for the 35ft cruiser on Friday evening 11 June

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches To Cruiser With Fuel Problems

12th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to launch to assist four people on a 35ft cruiser with fuel problems yesterday evening, Friday 11 June. The vessel was reported to be near Navigation Mark F, north…

An Cathaoirleach of DLRCoCo, Cllr Una Power pictured with Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteers

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Signs Up to Become RNLI Local Ambassador

11th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) has signed up to become an RNLI Local Ambassador, committing itself to sharing vital water safety messages with the public throughout the council area this summer. The RNLI — which has three lifeboat stations in…

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Margaret, Joan and Fred NYE

Medevac from Inis Oírr for Aran Islands Lifeboat

9th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteer crew on Inis Mór were asked to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat just before noon yesterday (Tuesday 8 June) by the Irish Coast Guard for a medevac. A woman on the neighbouring island of Inis…

Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat in action

Bundoran Lifeboat Launches as Paddle Boarders are Blown Out to Sea

9th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Bundoran RNLI in Co Donegal were requested to launch on Tuesday evening (8 June) to reports of two paddle boarders being blown out to sea off Mermaid’s Cove in north Co Sligo. The emergency call was made just after 6pm…

Larne Lifeboat Rescues Two on Fishing Boat With Engine Trouble

8th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Terry was launched yesterday (Monday 7 June) at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assist two people in a 17ft fishing boat with suspected engine issues. Launching the lifeboat into a strong sea breeze, the volunteer…

Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew with a tow line attached to their inshore lifeboat

Seven Rescued by Lough Ree RNLI Over Bank Holiday Weekend

8th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched came to the assistance of two cruisers on the lake over the bank holiday weekend, taking seven people to safety. Just after lunchtime on Saturday (5 June), the volunteer crew responded to a call from…

Two More Callouts Round Out Action-Packed Weekend for Kinsale Lifeboat Volunteers

8th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A busy weekend for Kinsale RNLI continued on bank holiday Monday (7 June) when the inshore lifeboat launched twice to assist boats in difficulty. Miss Sally Anne Baggy II - Never Fear, Baggy’s Here launched at 2.45pm to assist the…

Crosshaven RNLI brought the casualty into the Lifeboat station and treated his injuries along with Crosshaven Coast Guard first responders

Crosshaven Boat Fire Casualties Taken to Cork University Hospital

7th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI Lifeboat volunteers received a page from Valentia Coast Guard at 12.37 this afternoon to attend a boat fire and person in the water at a mooring near the Point Slipway in Cork Harbour. As the crew were assembling and…

Two Launches in Busy Weekend for Portrush Lifeboats

7th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast was requested to launch twice this weekend to reports of people in difficulty. The first request by HM Coastguard was on Saturday evening (5 June) when the inshore lifeboat was launched to reports…

Valentia RNLI passing Valentia Lighthouse in County Kerry

Valentia RNLI Assist Fishing Vessel with Fouled Propellor

7th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Valentia RNLI volunteers in county Kerry launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday (Saturday 05 June) to assist a 43ft fishing vessel with three people on board, which required assistance. At 08.55 am the Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI’s volunteer crew…

Dunmore East lifeboat with the four-metre angling vessel found drifting near rocks is brought safely back at the slipway in Dunmore East

Dunmore East RNLI Rescue Four People Onboard Broken-Down Angling Boat Drifting onto Rocks

7th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat in County Waterford launched yesterday (Sunday, June 6) to a report of a 4m angling vessel with four people on-board, which had lost its propeller and was drifting onto Falskirt Rock, three miles South West of…

The Irish Coast Guard’s Shannon-based helicopter 115 winches the casualty to safety

Lucky Find as Kinsale Lifeboat Crew on Training Exercise Spot Man in Sea

6th June 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Kinsale RNLI’s inshore lifeboat took part in a multi-agency rescue yesterday morning (Saturday 5 June) after a crew member spotted a man in the sea in a remote area close to the Old Head of Kinsale. The lifeboat was on a…

The ill woman on board a local angling boat off the West Cork Coast rescued by Coastguard Helicopter

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat & Coastguard Helicopter Rescue Woman in West Cork

5th June 2021 West Cork

Castletownbere RNLI was launched this afternoon (Saturday 5th June 2021) and conducted a joint rescue with Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 of an ill woman on board a local angling boat off the West Cork Coast. Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was…

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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