RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Baltimore RNLI Provides Sherkin Island Medical Evacuation

27th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation in the early hours of Sunday morning (26 June) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 00.57 am,…

Crowds gather at Dunmore East for the RNLI's All-Weather Shannon Class Lifeboat naming ceremony of the new lifeboat

Dunmore East RNLI's All-Weather Shannon Class Lifeboat Officially Named at Waterford Harbour

26th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held today (Sunday 26 June), volunteers at Dunmore East RNLI officially named their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, William and Agnes Wray. The lifeboat which went on service in September last year…

The Vermont-based couple had set out in their 37-foot yacht from Boston a number of weeks ago and were crossing the Atlantic en route to Scotland.

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat in West Cork Helps Transatlantic Sailors in Difficulty

26th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat in West Cork was launched on Saturday 25 June 2022 at 10.05 pm last night to go to the immediate assistance of two sailors who were crossing the Atlantic and had run into challenging weather and needed assistance.…

File image of Red Bay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Corinne Whiteley

Round-Britain Rowers Rescued by Red Bay Lifeboat Amid ‘Hugely Challenging Conditions’

26th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Six round-Britain rowers have been rescued by Red Bay RNLI amid “hugely challenging conditions” at sea off Northern Ireland. As the Belfast Telegraph reports, the group were part of the GB Endurance team taking part in a coastal rowing challenge…

The Atlantic 85 class lifeboat was christened the Christine and Raymond Fielding at the Union Hall Pier by crew Chris Collins (Helmsman), Darren Collins, Riona Casey and Hugh McNulty

Union Hall RNLI Name Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding Following West Cork Legacy

26th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteers at Union Hall RNLI in West Cork held a special ceremony and service of dedication on Saturday (25 June) for their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Christine and Raymond Fielding. A crowd gathered on Keelbeg Pier for a special ceremony and service…

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat off Roches Point

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Crew Rescue Two on Yacht With Mechanical Issues Off Old Head of Kinsale

24th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI was alerted by Valentia Coast Guard on Wednesday afternoon (22 June) to two people onboard a 42ft yacht with mechanical problems 25 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork. Shortly after 3.30pm the all-weather lifeboat…

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Aran Islands Lifeboat Crew Paged for Medevac From Inis Mór

24th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI on Inis Mór were called on to assist a local woman in need of medical attention on Wednesday evening, 22 June. The woman was transferred safely aboard the lifeboat by the volunteer crew shortly after 6.15pm and the…

Youghal RNLI crew on their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Youghal RNLI Assists RIB Sailor in Difficulty Off Mangan’s Bay

24th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI went to the aid of a sailor in difficulty 400 yards off Mangan’s Bay on Thursday afternon (23 June) after their boat suffered engine failure. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat…

Dunmore East RNLI’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat

Dunmore East RNLI to Officially Name Shannon Class Lifeboat ‘William and Agnes Wray’

24th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

An all-weather Shannon class lifeboat for Dunmore East RNLI is to be officially named William and Agnes Wray during a ceremony at Dunmore East Lighthouse at 2pm this Sunday 26 June. The lifeboat, which went on service in September last year, is named…

Bank of Ireland present the cheques to Union Hall RNLI volunteers

Union Hall RNLI Gives Thanks as BoI’s Begin Together Fund’ Helps Save Lives at Sea

23rd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Union Hall RNLI has expressed its gratitude to Laura Goggin and Colin McCarthy of Bank of Ireland in Clonakilty, who both nominated the West Cork lifeboat station for their employer’s Begin Together Fund. Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Fund was…

Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Respond to 35 Foot Cruiser on Fire on Upper Lough Erne

22nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At 8.15pm on Monday 20 June, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a 35 foot cruiser which was reported by a member of the public to be…

Baltimore RNLI inshore lifeboat tows a yacht disabled by its propellor tangled in fishing gear

RNLI Baltimore Assists Yacht in Difficulty with Two People Onboard

22nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI lifeboat were called out to provide assistance to a yacht with two people onboard that got into difficulty off the coast of Cape Clear Island, West Cork, earlier on Tuesday (21 June). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their…

Donaghadee RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Saxon

Donaghadee Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker Off Cloughey Beach on Father’s Day

20th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Donaghadee RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat yesterday (Sunday 19 June) to reports of a kayaker who appeared to be struggling against the tide in strong offshore winds just off Cloughey Beach on Northern Ireland’s Ards…

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat arriving at the West Cork harbour’s pontoon with the 40ft yacht

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat in Early Morning Rescue of 40ft Yacht Off Old Head of Kinsale

18th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s volunteers called out early this morning (Saturday 18 June) at 4.35am to go to the aid of a 40ft yacht in difficulties 21 miles south east of the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork. The all-weather lifeboat…

Baltimore RNLI crew member Rob O’Leary was put aboard the casualty vessel to assist in rigging a tow passed to the yacht from the lifeboat

Baltimore RNLI Assists Yacht with Two People Onboard South of Sherkin Island

16th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out earlier today (Thursday 16 June) to provide assistance to a yacht with two people onboard that was taking part in a race. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 11.45am, following a request…

Youghal Lifeboat Launches to Assist Pleasure Craft in Difficulty

15th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI came to the aid of two people on Tuesday morning (14 June) after their 18ft pleasure craft got into difficulty east of Youghal Lighthouse. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Mine Head Coast…

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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