RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Hollywood comes to Howth Yacht Club (L-R) Maura Farrell, Anne-Marie O'Daly, Brendan Gleeson, Gerardine MacLoughlin and Maeve Derham

Hollywood Star Brendan Gleeson Attends RNLI Ladies Lunch in aid of Howth RNLI

11th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

North Dublin actor Brendan Gleeson was at Howth Yacht Club last Thursday (6 Oct 2016) for the annual RNLI Ladies Lunch in aid of Howth RNLI. The sold-out charity event was attended by 150 local ladies and raised over €8,000.…

The lifeboat located the vessel at the junction of Scariff Bay on Lough Derg

Low Water Levels on Lough Derg Lead to Cruiser Grounding & RNLI Call–Out

4th October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist four people after their 34ft–cruiser ran aground by the Scilly Islands on Lough Derg today. At 1.39pm, the lifeboat launched with helm Ger Egan, Lian Knight and Delia Ho on board. Winds was east-southeasterly,…

The crew of Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Assists Divers & Sailor In Two Callouts Off Kinsale

3rd October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was called out at 2.45pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 2 October) as three divers and their support boat sought help as their vessel got into difficulties near Black Head off Kinsale. The lifeboat was quickly…

Seymour Cresswell names the new lifeboat at a ceremony in Howth yesterday

Howth RNLI Name New Lifeboat in Memory of Local Woman with Affinity for the Sea

3rd October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Lifeboat crew, station management, fundraisers and supporters of Howth RNLI were joined by members of the public yesterday (Sunday 2 October) to officially name the North Dublin lifeboat station’s newest lifeboat Aideen Cresswell, in memory of the incredible woman who…

Crosshaven RNLI ILB assisted a casualty from a RIB last night at Cork City marina

RIB Hits Cork Harbour Navigation Buoy, Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Assists Casualty At City Marina

2nd October 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat in Cork Harbour was requested to launch yesterday evening at 8.49pm after a report of a 9m RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with two people on board hit a navigation Buoy near Tivoli in Cork City. Reports also…

Celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna serves up a fish supper for hungry Howth RNLI volunteers

Chef Clodagh McKenna Serves Fish Supper Treat For Howth Lifeboat Crew

30th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Celebrated chef, food writer and television personality Clodagh McKenna recently visited Howth Lifeboat Station, where she treated the volunteer crew to a delicious seafood supper. McKenna’s visit marks the countdown to the RNLI’s upcoming foodie fundraiser Fish Supper,…

Fethard Lifeboat Assists Man After Pleasure Craft Breakdown

30th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Fethard RNLI launched yesterday afternoon (Thursday 29 September) to assist a man whose pleasure craft broke down off the Wexford coast. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 4.07pm following a report that…

Ballycotton's inshore lifeboat shepherds the young dolphin into deeper waters

Ballycotton Lifeboat Launches To Stranded Dolphin

30th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI launched around 1pm yesterday afternoon (Thursday 29 September) to aid a dolphin stranded in shallow water on Silver Strand beach near the East Cork village. A member of the public who was on scene had tried…

The initial alarm was raised by a member of the public reporting two kayakers in trouble with one kayaker in the water

Larne RNLI Rescue Two Kayakers

28th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI has rescued two kayakers who got into difficulty off the County Antrim coast yesterday evening (Tuesday 27 September). The volunteer lifeboat crew responded to a launch request from Belfast Coastguard at approximately 6.30pm following reports of two kayakers…

Clifden Lifeboat Assists In Medevac From Inishturk

27th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - An island medical evacuation was carried out yesterday (Monday 26 September) by the volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI on the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat Fisherman's Friend. In calm seagoing conditions, the lifeboat was launched at 1.15pm to attend…

A photo taken from the Navy vessel LE Niamh of the trawler rescue by Courtmacsherry lifeboat 20 –miles off Seven Heads last night

Stricken Trawler Rescued By Courtmacsherry RNLI

27th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat has arrived in Union Hall with the stricken 60–ft fishing boat that had got into difficulties some seven hours earlier. The crew reported via a Mayday call at 5.46 pm last evening that they…

The Wicklow RNLI inshore lifeboat launches to assist the broken-down personal water craft

Wicklow Lifeboat Assists Drifting Jet Skier

26th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched shortly after 5pm yesterday evening (Sunday 25 September) to assist a person on a broken-down personal water craft. The man had set off from Wicklow Harbour and was about a mile offshore when…

Howth inshore lifeboat – The inflatable rescue craft is highly manoeuvrable and specifically suited to surf, shallow water and confined locations

Howth RNLI to Name New Lifeboat 'Aideen Cresswell' In Memory of Local Donor with Love of the Sea

26th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Members of Howth RNLI lifeboat will gather at the lifeboat station this Sunday (2 October 2016) to name their new inshore lifeboat Aideen Cresswell in memory of the incredible woman who funded it. Aideen Cresswell (nee Stokes) was born in…

Have a cuppa with Larne RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew on Friday 30 September

Larne Lifeboat Station To Open Its Doors For Macmillan Coffee Morning

24th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Larne RNLI's volunteer crew are throwing open the doors of their lifeboat station this coming Friday 30 September as they host a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan, the cancer support charity. Doors open at 10am at…

The stricken trawler from Kilkeel safely moored in Peel Harbour after its overnight ordeal

Dramatic Rescue Of NI Trawler In Irish Sea Off Isle Of Man

22nd September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Two British naval war ships, three helicopters and a fishing vessel joined Peel RNLI in the dramatic rescue of a trawler between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man in the early hours of Wednesday morning (21 September).…

Ring of Kerry cyclists with their cheque for Fethard RNLI

Fethard RNLI Receives €5,749 For New Lifeboat Appeal

20th September 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Fethard RNLI was presented with a cheque for €5,749 last Friday 16 September by Ring of Kerry cyclists towards the charity’s special appeal in aid of a new inshore lifeboat which is due on service at the end…

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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