RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Union Hall RNLI Launches Fishing Vessel with Engine Difficulty

27th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI lifeboat crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Margaret Bench of Solihull, this morning at 5.37 am to a fishing vessel, with two people onboard, that was just west of Glandore harbour in West Cork. The lifeboat…

Fenit lifeboat volunteers come to the aid of the solitary dolphin

Fenit Lifeboat Guides Dolphin Out Of Danger In Shallow Waters

26th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

It was a most unusual callout for Fenit RNLI yesterday evening (Tuesday 25 August) as they were tasked to a dolphin in the shallows near Fenit Pier in Co Kerry. Locals out for a stroll in blustery conditions that trailed…

Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat called out to Crookhaven during Storm Francis

Baltimore Lifeboat Called Out To Two Yachts In Difficulty During Storm Francis

25th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI’s volunteer crew launched to the aid of two yachts in difficulty in Crookhaven Harbour as Storm Francis passed over West Cork this morning (Tuesday 25 August). The two vessels, one with four on board and the other with…

Portaferry RNLI assessed the situation and observed that the yacht was drifting close to shore off Taggart Island

Portaferry RNLI Rescues Two Sailors after 36ft Yacht Gets into Difficulty on Strangford Lough

25th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI came to the aid of two sailors whose 36ft yacht got into difficulty on Strangford Lough this morning (Tuesday 25 August). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 9.55 am following a report from…

File image of Lough Ree RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Lough Ree RNLI Launches Fundraising Drive For New Lifeboat Station

24th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

One of Ireland’s busiest lifeboat units is seeking the public’s help to upgrade its home base and carry on its lifesaving mission. Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteers have been rescuing people from the lough’s 29km stretch of inland waterway since 2012,…

Teenagers Rescue Man Clinging to Marker Buoy in Cork Harbour

23rd August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteers of Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat were tasked this evening to a report of a person in the water in the Ringabella/Fountainstown area. The crew received the pager alert at 7.32 pm and were en route when information was received…

Dunmore RNLI escorting the dismasted yacht Red Alert

Red Alert - Dunmore East RNLI Assist Dismasted Fastnet 450 Race Yacht 36 Miles Offshore

23rd August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

At 7.26 am Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat launched on service to assist a stricken yacht in the Fastnet 450 Race which had suffered a dismasting 36 miles South of Dunmore East on the County Waterford coast. On reaching the Greystones-based…

File image of Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Rescue For Family Cut Off By Rising Tide In Portrush

23rd August 2020 Rescue

Portrush RNLI’s volunteers launched to the aid of a family cut off by the rising tide on cliffs yesterday evening, Saturday 22 August. Local lifeguards raised the alarm for the two adults and three young children who were trapped between…

RNLI Galway Lifeboat Rescues Kitesurfer in Inner Galway Bay

23rd August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway RNLI lifeboat has rescued a kite surfer who got into difficulty in inner Galway Bay on Saturday evening. The man, who is in his early thirties, had set off from Ballyloughane beach near Renmore at about 4.50 pm as…

File image of Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat returning to station

Six Rescued From Lough Erne Boats Jostled In Strong Winds As Fermanagh Braves Worst Of Storm Ellen

22nd August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Six people were rescued from their boats on Lough Erne as Storm Ellen swept over Northern Ireland in the early hours of Thursday (20 August). Enniskillen RNLI said the vessels, which were moored at the Devenish West jetty, were breaking…

Castletownbere RNLI Launch to Yacht That Broke Mooring

21st August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI were launched this morning (Friday 21st August 2020) at 09:03 to assist a yacht which had broken away from its moorings off the Bere Island in West Cork. The yacht was spotted drifting in the channel between Bere…

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Launches To Lone Surfer Ahead Of Storm Ellen

20th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI volunteers launched last night just hours before the arrival of Storm Ellen to reports of a lone surfer heading out to sea in the fading light. The inshore lifeboat was joined by the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard…

File image of Youghal RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Youghal Lifeboat Launches To Swimmers In Difficulty

19th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged yesterday evening (Tuesday 18 August) to reports of a swimmer in difficulty around half a mile off shore at the East Cork town’s Front Strand. As they launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in…

The fishing boat towed by Donaghdee RNLI

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Tow Broken Down Fishing Boat to Safety

18th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The all-weather RNLI lifeboat from Donaghadee on the North Down coast launched at 3 am this morning (Tuesday18th) to the Belfast Coastguard's request to assist a 15m fishing boat with one person onboard. The boat, which was on passage from…

File image of Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Portrush Lifeboat Launches To Reports Of Missing Divers At Rathlin Island

17th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched late yesterday afternoon (Sunday 16 August) to reports of two missing divers just off Rathlin Island. The divers were part of an organised party with a diving school, and the dive leader immediately raised the…

Clifden RNLI Launch All-Weather Lifeboat to go to the Aid of Child with a Suspected Broken Leg on Inishbofin

17th August 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was tasked by the Coast Guard last weekend (Saturday 15 August) to assist with the medical evacuation of a 10-year old girl with a suspected broken leg, on Inishbofin. The calm conditions made for a gentle…

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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