RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

File image of Wexford RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Wexford and Rosslare Harbour Lifeboats Rescue Four When 16ft Boat Breaks Down

13th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crews of Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI rescued four people after their boat suffered engine failure outside of Wexford Harbour shortly after 5pm on Tuesday (9 May). Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and four…

Dun Laoghaire's D class lifeboat (left) and all-weather lifeboat

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat in Back to Back Call Outs

12th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI has responded to two back-to-back call outs today (Friday 12 May) to first rescue a dog trapped on rocks and then to go to the aid of five anglers after their 6m boat encountered engine difficulties. Lifeboat…

Errigal is the highest point in Co Donegal

Donegal Lifeboat Volunteers Make Final Preparations for ‘Mayday Mile’ Challenge on Errigal

9th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Final preparations are under way at the three Donegal-based RNLI lifeboat stations at Bundoran and Lough Swilly and Arranmore for the charity’s Mayday Mile challenge which will see six volunteer crew — two from each station — climb Donegal’s highest…

Bangor RNLI Comes to the Aid of Lone Sailor after 35ft Yacht Breaks Down

8th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Bangor RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor yesterday morning (Sunday, 7 May) after his 35ft yacht broke down east of Carrickfergus Castle on Belfast Lough. The volunteer crew had just assembled at the station for a routine…

Carrybridge RNLI crew standing on the inshore lifeboat Roy Snewin with members of the Erne Boat Rally committee

Carrybridge RNLI Receive Donation of £1,500 From The Erne Boat Rally

7th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI in Northern Ireland were delighted to receive a generous donation of £1,500 from the Erne Boat Rally committee at the lifeboat station this past Thursday evening (4 May). The money was raised following the annual boat rally gathering…

The RNLI is one of six charity partners chosen by Ireland West Airport for 2023

RNLI in Mayo Chosen as Charity Partner by Ireland West Airport

7th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has been chosen as one of six charity partners for Ireland West Airport this year. Funds raised for the RNLI by the airport in Knock, Co Mayo will be donated to and shared by the two lifeboat stations…

File image of Dunmore East’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat William and Agnes Wray

Dunmore East Lifeboat Crew Rescue Three From Stranded Yacht in Darkness

5th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI assisted a crew of three people onboard a yacht stranded off Hook Head late on Thursday night (4 May). After receiving an alert from the Irish Coast Guard, the volunteer lifeboat crew were called into action at…

The Dun Laoghaire Coastguard team rescued a swimmer in difficulty at the Forty Foot bathing place on Dublin Bay along with Rescue 116 helicopter, RNLI Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Stations ALB and ILB, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) Paramedics, Dublin Fire Brigade Paramedics & Advance Paramedics and An Garda Síochána

Forty Foot Swimmer Taken to Hospital After Rescue from Big Seas

5th May 2023 Forty Foot Swimming

A sea swimmer was taken to hospital after being rescued by the emergency services on Dublin Bay on Thursday afternoon. The swimmer got into difficulty in big seas off the Forty Foot bathing place. The RNLI Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station inshore…

Rosslare Harbour RNLI Assists Man on Inflatable Fishing Boat with Engine Problems

4th May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Rosslare Harbour RNLI came to the aid of a man after his 16 ft inflatable fishing boat got into difficulty off Ballytrent Beach on Tuesday, 2 May. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat by the Irish…

Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Called to Escort RIB That Broke Down But Then Restarted

2nd May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked to launch for the fourth time over the May bank holiday weekend, on Monday evening (1 May), following a report of a 5.5 metre RIB (rigid inflatable boat) that had broken down due…

Representatives from the City of Galway Shipping company visited Galway RNLI to present the charity with a donation of €5,000. In the boat, from left: Galway RNLI volunteer crew Frankie Leonard, David McGrath, James Corballis and James Rattigan. Standing, from left: Paul Carey, Galway RNLI; Tom McElwain, City of Galway Shipping; Pat Lavelle, Galway RNLI Fundraising; John Coyle, City of Galway Shipping company board member and RNLI Vice-President; Stefanie Carr, Galway RNLI; Dr John Killeen, City of Galway Shipping company board member and RNLI Trustee; Pierce Purcell, Galway Maritime; Mike Cummins, Galway RNLI and Seán Óg Leydon, Galway RNLI.

RNLI Receives €5,000 Donation from Galway Shipping Company to Fund Lifesaving Work

2nd May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Representatives from the City of Galway Shipping company visited Galway RNLI during their weekly training session, to present the charity with a donation of €5,000. The company, which has been in operation since 1947, is based a short distance from…

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Fishing Boat on Rocks at Millisle

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Saturday, 29 April Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat volunteers were paged after a member of the public reported seeing a small fishing boat in difficulty off the coast at Millisle. At 6.18 pm on Saturday evening, the crew were asked by…

Kilmore Quay RNLI all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney with the angling vessel in tow

Angling Charter Boat Fouls Prop off Saltee Islands, Kilmore Quay RNLI Assist Nine

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched in County Wexford this morning (1 May) to assist nine people onboard an angling charter boat that had fouled its prop east of the Saltee Islands. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to attend the grounded cruiser on the Galway shore of the lough on Sunday evening 30 April

Lough Derg Lifeboat Rescues Cruiser Run Aground With Six On Board

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

In their second callout of the May Bank Holiday weekend, Lough Derg RNLI launched on Sunday evening (30 April) to a cruiser aground on the Galway shore of the lough. The request from Valentia Coast Guard followed a report from…

The relief Shannon class lifeboat Jock and Annie Slater 13-01 on passage to Wicklow to go on station when the last Tyne class lifeboat in the fleet is retired. This aerial shot is taken from the Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 based in Dublin

Wicklow RNLI Bring Three Fishermen to Safety

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Saturday afternoon (29 May), after their vessel developed mechanical problems three miles east of Greystones Harbour. The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 3.43 pm to reports…

Usually, it is the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews that answers mayday calls – it’s the most serious call for help. But this May, they need your help. The charity is calling on the public to join the RNLI Mayday Mile to raise vital funds to power its lifesaving work towards keeping people safe this summer. Pictured launching the RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser are Clifden RNLI lifeboat crew from left, David O’Reilly, Joseph Acton, Gerry Claffey, James Mullen, John Mullen, David Barry and Andrew Bell

RNLI Asks: 'Put your Best Foot Forward this May and Help Keep People Safe this Summer'

30th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the RNLI is putting out its own Mayday call ahead of May Day (tomorrow, Monday, 1 May) as it prepares to face another busy summer. Usually, it is the RNLI’s volunteer…

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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