RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Union Hall RNLI Aid Yacht in Difficulty in West Cork

3rd September 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew at Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat were requested to launch their inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding, by Valentia Coast Guard at 9.52 pm on Friday, 2nd September to a 35ft yacht with two people…

Crosshaven RNLI Medevac Elderly Man from Spike Island in Cork Harbour

1st September 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Shortly before noon today (1st September), Valentia Coast Guard requested a launch to attend an elderly man who had collapsed on Spike Island. The crew of Aidan O’Connor, Norman Jackson, Derek Moynan and Claire Morgan made best speed in calm…

Man Run Over by Digger Assisted By Carrybridge RNLI

31st August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At 9.40pm on Monday 29 August, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastgaurd, to assist a man who had been run over by the track of a digger on an…

Helvick Head RNLI assisting the boat in distress to safety

Broken Down Motorboat off Ballyvoyle Head Assisted by Helvick Head RNLI

30th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At the request of the Irish Coast Guard, the volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat into easterly Force 3-4 winds and choppy seas. The lifeboat, helmed by Richard Haines and with crew members Shane Walsh, Pat Devereux and Jamie Walsh…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier approaching the stricken cruiser

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Five on Cruiser Aground at Bushy Island

30th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI continued what’s been a busy few days on the lake on Monday afternoon (29 August) when its volunteers were called on to assist five people on a cruiser aground in Scariff Bay. At 2.45pm the inshore lifeboat Jean…

File image of Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Two People and a Dog on Vessel Aground Near Belle Isle Estate

29th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched on Sunday evening (28 August) at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a vessel with two people and a small dog on board, which had run aground on…

File image of Baltimore RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Two Callouts in Two Days for Baltimore’s Inshore Lifeboat to Vessels Propped on Pot Buoys

28th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were called upon twice in two days, both time to boats that had got into difficulty near Cape Clear Island in West Cork. On Friday 26 August, the crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 10.27am following a…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat approached the cruiser aground on the Goat Road shoal on Friday afternoon 26 August

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Six People Across Back-to-Back Shouts

27th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Following Thursday evening’s callout, Lough Derg RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were back at the Goat Road on Friday afternoon (26 August) to assist two people on a 30ft cruiser aground at navigation marker E. At 4.45pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat, Jean Spier, launched…

Carrybridge Lifeboat Launches to Cow Stranded in Mud on Lough Erne

26th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI received an unusual request this past Wednesday afternoon (24 August) to assist a cow stranded in the waters of the Erne south of Enniskillen. The animal was reported by a member of the public to be in the…

File image of Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier

Lough Derg Lifeboat Rescues Family of Four on Cruiser Aground at Goat Road

26th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

On Thursday evening (25 August), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to assist a family of four on a 40ft cruiser aground at the Goat Road at navigation Marker E. The inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was already afloat on…

Helvick Head RNLI’s lifeboats on the water with the Naval Service’s LÉ George Bernard Shaw during its open day celebrations

Busy Weekend for Helvick Head RNLI With Two Callouts During Station Celebrations

26th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Helvick Head RNLI in Co Waterford was called upon twice on the same weekend as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of its reopening. The first callout was during a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon (20 August), when lifeboat volunteers were…

File image of Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Portaferry Lifeboat Rescues Man Clinging to Edge of Drifting Cabin Cruiser

24th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI in Northern Ireland rescued a male after he drifted more than a mile out to sea while holding on to the edge of a 15ft cabin cruiser on Tuesday afternoon (23 August). The lifeboat crew were launched to…

RNLI Technician Goes to Aid of Two Children Caught in Rip Current Off Portrush

23rd August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI systems technician Euan Noble was enjoying his weekend off at Portrush’s East Strand when his girlfriend Charlotte spotted two children struggling in the water on Sunday afternoon (21 August). Euan, an experienced surfer who works to maintain the mechanics…

Two Adrift on Inflatable Mattress Assisted by Valentia RNLI

23rd August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At 2.48pm the Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI’s volunteer crew to launch the all-weather lifeboat and to go to the aid of two adults adrift at the mouth of Cuas Crom harbour. Weather conditions at the time we described…

Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat (right) towing the stricken yacht (centre), with the inshore lifeboat behind (left)

Clifden Lifeboat Tows Stricken Yacht to Safety

22nd August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI’s volunteer crew launched both of their lifeboats on Sunday (21 August) to reports of a yacht in difficulty three miles north west of Slyne Head off Connemara. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat launched at 2.20pm under the command…

File image of Achill Island RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Sam and Ada Moody

Achill Island Lifeboat Launches to Swimmer in Difficulty

20th August 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist with a swimmer who got into difficulty at Mulranny on Friday evening (19 August). The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged shortly after 6pm to assist with a man…

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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