RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Carol Flahive with her long Service badge and members of the Wicklow RNLI crew

Long Service Award for Wicklow RNLI Volunteer Carol Flahive

13th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI Lifeboat volunteer Carol Flahive has received a long service badge in recognition of 20 years' dedicated service to the community. Carol joined Wicklow lifeboat in November 2000 and over the years has been in charge as the Helm on…

Galway RNLI Rescues Man Caught in Rising Tide

13th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

In Galway city, the RNLI inshore lifeboat rescued a man caught in rising tide while out walking at Ballyloughane beach near Renmore. A member of the public spotted the man who had taken refuge on Hare island at about 11…

Lough Ree RNLI Comes to the Aid of Four People on Grounded Barge Near Athlone

13th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to come to the assistance of four people on board a barge which ran aground on Saturday afternoon (12 December). The 36ft Dutch barge was stranded where the River Shannon meets Lough…

The ten metre trawler was taking on water and in danger of sinking

Clifden RNLI Lifeboats Recover Sinking Trawler with Two Onboard

12th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Both lifeboats at Clifden RNLI were launched this morning just before 11 am after a Coastguard request to go to the aid of a ten-metre fishing trawler that was taking on water and in danger of sinking. With two crew…

Robert and Colette Foster with their lifeboat crew daughter Caoimhe and her younger sister Clodagh at Crosshaven RNLI

Loved Ones of RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Appeal for Vital Support This Christmas

8th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The families of RNLI lifeboat volunteers have joined an all-Ireland appeal for support after the charity’s usual Christmas fundraisers were cancelled. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the charity that saves lives at sea launched its 2020 Christmas appeal as so…

Michael Power and Crew (L-R Michael Power, Tramore RNLI Helm David McGrath, Tramore RNLI Crew Alec Fitzmaurice and Tramore RNLI Helm Fergal McGrath)

Survivor Backs RNLI Christmas Appeal After Charity Sees Traditional Fundraisers Cancelled

7th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

A man whose life was saved by the RNLI off the Waterford coast earlier this year, has urged people to support the RNLI’s Christmas appeal. Michael Power from Tramore had been sea swimming when he got into serious difficulty. Pulled…

Lough Ree RNLI Looking to Raise €100k for New Base at Coosan Point

7th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Coosan Point on Lough Ree is home to one of Ireland’s busiest lifeboat crews. But they operate from temporary facilities and the RNLI say they urgently need a permanent, new base to continue their lifesaving missions. The Institute is seeking…

The World War II mine was found in the Firth of Clyde on Tuesday 1 December

Survey Vessel Finds Unexploded World War II Mine Off Western Scotland

5th December 2020 News Update

A World War II mine found in “remarkable” condition off western Scotland earlier this week contained 350kg of explosives, according to the Royal Navy. The unexploded ordnance was discovered by a Marine Scotland survey vessel in the Firth of Clyde…

Youghal RNLI Assist in Search for Missing Person

5th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI was tasked yesterday at 1.45 pm by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to reports of a missing person in the Ardmore Bay area of County Waterford. Assisting the Ardmore Coast Guard Unit and Rescue Helicopter 117 in an…

Join in with Marine Institute Staff on Virtual Festive North Pole Trek in Aid of RNLI

4th December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Staff at the Marine Institute are attempting to walk, run, row, cycle and swim the 4,068km distance from their headquarters in Galway to the North Pole in aid of the RNLI. And they’re inviting everyone to join in and support…

RNLI inshore lifeboat crew and Irish Coast Guard on scene at Bullock Harbour, Dalkey on Dublin Bay

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Rescue Two Missing Divers off Bullock in Fast Flowing Current

2nd December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Last night Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI lifeboat station’s inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard to respond to reports of two missing divers near Bullock Harbour The volunteer crew of three launched swiftly into the darkness…

Skerries RNLI en route to Donabate on Saturday afternoon

Report of Swimmers in Distress Near Donabate Prompts Skerries Lifeboat Launch

1st December 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI’s volunteer crew were tasked on Saturday afternoon (28 November) after a call to emergency services reported concerns over a group of sea swimmers off Donabate. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson was launched shortly before 3pm to…

Skibbereen Man Receives Union Hall RNLI’s Excellence in Volunteering Award

28th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Union Hall RNLI volunteer Brian Crowley has received an Excellence in Volunteering Award from the RNLI for his hard work, dedication to and promotion of the charity that saves lives at sea. Unfortunately due to pandemic restrictions, the lifeboat station…

File image of Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Crew Rescue Swimmers Off Rosses Point

23rd November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteers were called to the rescue of four swimmers in difficulty off Rosses Point yesterday afternoon, Sunday 22 November. The four women, who were all seasoned swimmers, were caught in a swell when trying to get back…

The Oliver's fishing boat approaches the swimmer spotted taking refuge on Palmer’s Rock, about 200 metres from shore.

Swimmer Rescued by Olivers in Galway Bay

21st November 2020 Galway Harbour

Galway Harbour father and son Patrick and Morgan Oliver have recorded another rescue, saving a swimmer who got into difficulty off Salthill on Saturday morning. The Olivers were fishing off Salthill in Galway Bay on Saturday morning when a swimmer…

Mary Aldridge is New Lifeboat Operations Manager at Wicklow RNLI

19th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI lifeboat Station is pleased to announce that Mary Aldridge has taken on the volunteer role of Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) following the recent retirement of Des Davitt. As Lifeboat Operations Manager Mary will now be responsible for managing…

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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