RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Skerries RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson

Second Callout In Two Days For Skerries Lifeboat

1st December 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson for the second time in two days on Tuesday evening (29 November 29) after Dublin Coast Guard received reports from a fishing vessel of a boat on…

Union Chandlery Host RNLI Pop–Up Shop This Saturday

30th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

This Saturday, Union Chandlery in Cork city will be hosting an RNLI pop–up shop where 100% of the proceeds will be going directly to the RNLI. These funds are vital for keeping RNLI boats on the water and providing the…

The recent gala evening of music in aid of Fethard RNLI

Fethard RNLI Receives €1,140 For New Lifeboat Appeal

16th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Fethard RNLI was presented with a cheque for €1,140 following a Gala Evening of Music & Song towards the charity’s special appeal in aid of a new inshore lifeboat, which is due on service at the end 2017.…

The Arranmore lifeboat crew is a community affair

Jimmy Early Takes Helm At Arranmore RNLI After 41 Years’ Service

14th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Jimmy Early has taken over as coxswain of the Arranmore RNLI all-weather lifeboat following 41 years of service. Early, who is just weeks into the job, is currently furthering his training at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.…

Castletownbere RNLI guided the local coastguard team to the casualty trapped on a ledge in the Dursey Sound

Castletownbere Lifeboat Joins Multi-Agency Rescue In Dursey Sound

14th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Castletownbere RNLI’s lifeboat was tasked just before noon yesterday (Sunday 13 November) to go to the aid of a man trapped a ledge on the shore in the Dursey Sound. The lifeboat, under the command of second coxswain…

Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat

Wicklow, Courmacsherry Lifeboats Rescue Fishing Boats In Difficulty

11th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - RNLI lifeboats from Wicklow and Courtmacsherry have responded to two separate calls from fishing boats in difficulty around the Irish coast in recent days. A trawler with three fishermen onboard was towed to safety by Wicklow RNLI yesterday…

Derval O’Rourke joined RNLI volunteers at the launch of 2016’s Reindeer Runs

RNLI Reindeer Runs Return As Derval O’Rourke Urges Us To Get Festive & Moving

4th November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - The RNLI’s festive Reindeer Runs are back in three locations in Cork and Dublin. And the charity that saves lives at sea is encouraging families to come out, get involved and get moving for a great cause. Renowned…

Skerries lifeboat crew rescues two swimmers from the water off Colt Island on Hallowe'en afternoon

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Swimmer Near Colt Island

1st November 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI responded yesterday afternoon (31 October) to reports of swimmers in difficulty to the south of Colt Island off the north Co Dublin town. Shortly after 12 noon, a member of the local fishing fleet alerted Dublin…

There were four Bar to Gold badges, one of which was awarded posthumously to John Charleton from the Kilkeel Branch. Lynda Davidson from the Donaghadee Fundraising Branch, Margaret Nicholson from the Kilkeel Branch and Aileen Smyth from the Donaghadee Ladies’ Guild were also awarded. The Honorary Life Governorship awards went to Eveleigh Brownlow from Portaferry and District Guild and Elenore Huston from the Coleraine/Castlerock Branch. The long service awards in recognition of 20 years volunteering commitment went to Jeffrey Bell from Larne RNLI, Gregory McDaid from Lough Swilly RNLI, Raymond Newell from Kilkeel RNLI and Simon Rogers from Portaferry RNLI. Morrris McBride from Kilkeel RNLI and Shane McNamara from Donaghadee RNLI were recognised with a 30 year Bar to Long Service badge.

RNLI Honours 21 Volunteers at Annual Awards Ceremony

24th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI volunteers have been honoured at the charity’s annual presentation of awards in Northern Ireland. The event which was staged at the Belfast Harbour Commissioner’s Office on Friday night (21 October) honoured 21 awardees recognising their dedication and commitment to…

The inshore lifeboat retrieve the stricken Jet-Ski

Howth RNLI Rescues Man From Sea after Jet Ski Gets into Difficulty

23rd October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Howth RNLI rescued a man who got into difficulty on a jet ski this afternoon and ended up in the water east of Ireland’s Eye. The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch both their inshore and all-weather lifeboats at…

Arranmore RNLI in County Donegal launched in the early hours of this morning

Canadian Yacht with Two Onboard Rescued By Arranmore RNLI

19th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Arranmore RNLI in County Donegal launched in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 19 October) to go the assistance of two sailors who got into difficulty at St John’s Point. The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their…

Castletownbere RNLI was represented at the awards by Lifeboat Operations Manager Tony O’Sullivan, Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll and crew members John Paul Downey and Kyle Cronin.

Castletownbere RNLI Presented with National Marine Gallantry and Meritorious Service Award

18th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer lifeboat crew from Castletownbere RNLI has been awarded a Marine Ministerial Letter of Appreciation for Meritorious Service. The award in recognition of the crew’s ability to locate and save a life in challenging weather conditions was presented by…

Claire Sugden, The Justice Minister, meets Portush Lifeboat volunteers

UK Justice Minister Visits Portrush RNLI Volunteers

17th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Claire Sugden, The Justice Minister called in on her local RNLI Lifeboat station at Portrush the weekend to pay tribute to the work they do on the North Coast. The Minister was keen to meet all the volunteers including crew,…

Youghal Lifeboat Launches To Man Taken Ill On Angling Boat

16th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked yesterday morning (Saturday 15 October) in choppy waters to reports of a man taken ill on board a chartered angling vessel. At 11.30am the lifeboat launched to the location around a…

Helen McFarland with her husband, Lough Swilly lifeboat crewman Francy Burns

Lough Swilly RNLI Groom’s Wedding Speech Interrupted By Lifeboat Launch

12th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Buncrana man Francy Burns wed his sweetheart, Carndonagh woman Helen McFarland, last Saturday 8 October in a wedding attended by their family, friends and the volunteers with Lough Swilly RNLI. But it wasn’t all plain sailing, as after…

Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat crew take the Sloop in tow

Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Rescues 40–foot Sailing Sloop off Kinsale

11th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was called out at 12.30pm this afternoon to go to the aid of a 40–foot Sailing Sloop 'in trouble' eight miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork. Coxswain Sean O'Farrell 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