RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, Leonard Kent, launching on Saturday morning 4 June

Newcastle Lifeboat Launches to Aid of Seasick RIB Passengers

7th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

In the first of two callouts on Saturday (4 June), Newcastle RNLI’s volunteer crew came to the aid of two people on a RIB some 12 miles offshore. Pagers sounded just after 7.10am on Saturday morning following a report that…

Portrush Lifeboat Launches to Yacht in Difficulty at Barmouth

6th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 11.10pm last night (Sunday 5 June) to reports of a 31ft yacht without power at the Barmouth near Coleraine. The all-weather lifeboat under coxswain Des Austin launched at 11.35pm into…

A file image of Baltimore All-Weather Lifeboat. A lifeboat station has been established at Baltimore for over 85 years. Over the years the crews have been presented with 15 awards for gallantry

Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat on Nine Hour Callout to Yacht in Difficulty with Four People onboard

6th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide assistance to a yacht with four people on board that got into difficulty 52 miles off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork, yesterday (Sunday 5 June). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer heads to Garrykennedy

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches to Reports of Cruiser Aground

5th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were called to assist two people on a 36ft cruiser aground outside Garrykennedy’s old harbour wall on Saturday evening (4 June). At 7.15pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was ready to go with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Joe…

Clifden RNLI’s new all-weather lifeboat St Christopher

First Callout for Clifden RNLI’s New All-Weather ‘Launch a Memory’ Lifeboat

5th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI joined Aran Islands RNLI and the Shannon-based Rescue 115 helicopter to carry out a search of the waters around Bunowen Bay on Friday night (3 June). A member of the public reported seeing a…

A video grab from Wicklow RNLI lifeboat of the Coastguard's Rescue 116 helicopter winching a stranded swimmer to safety at Silver Strand

Wicklow RNLI Join Multi-Agency Search for Missing Swimmer at Silver Strand

4th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched after 09:45 am this morning (Saturday 4 June), following reports of a missing swimmer at Silver Stand beach. The alarm was raised after the wife of the swimmer became concerned for his safety and…

Brendan Copeland has retired after 31 years service at Wicklow RNLI

End of an Era at Wicklow RNLI as Station Mechanic Brendan Copeland Retires

2nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

This week marks the end of an era at Wicklow RNLI as long-serving crew member and station mechanic Brendan Copeland officially retires from saving lives at sea. Brendan’s last day started with a trip to Dun Laoghaire Harbour to bring…

Aran Islands RNLI’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Margaret, Joan and Fred NYE

Medevac From Inis Meain Marks Aran Islands Lifeboat’s Third Call of the Week

2nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Following their two callouts on Monday, the volunteer lifeboat crew of Aran Islands RNLI were tasked again on Tuesday evening (31 May) to a woman in need of medical attention. The Severn class all-weather lifeboat launched under coxswain in charge…

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and jetski

Agencies Make Joint Water Safety Appeal Ahead of June Bank Holiday Weekend

2nd June 2022 Water Safety

As the June bank holiday approaches, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued another joint water safety appeal — this time for the many thousands of people expected to take advantage of the break this weekend…

The RNLI Coxswains involved in the Lilly B Ship rescue

Coxswains from Dunmore East, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Castletownbere RNLI Presented with Gallantry Awards

1st June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Coxswains from Dunmore East, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Castletownbere RNLI have been presented with gallantry awards by His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Kent, in recognition of their lifesaving roles in rescues off the coast of Wexford and…

Fenit RNLI’s new D class lifeboat, Lizzie

Crowds Come Out for Naming of New Fenit Lifeboat in Memory of Popular Actress

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Crowds turned out in the sunshine to see Fenit RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat officially named Lizzie this past weekend (Sunday 29 May). As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the new lifeboat is being named after Liz Fraser, a Southwark-born actress well-known…

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Aran Islands Lifeboat Responds to Two Callouts on Monday

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteer crew were twice requested to launch on Monday (30 May). The first callout came from the Irish Coast Guard at 2pm following a report of a small inflatable boat broken down off Doolin. The volunteer crew…

Steve Smyth, helm at Lough Derg RNLI (left) with Mark Mitchell, RNLI Assessor

Lough Derg RNLI Volunteer Steve Smyth Becomes Inshore Lifeboat Helm

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

A volunteer crew member at Lough Derg RNLI has successfully passed out as a helm on the station’s inshore lifeboat. Following an assessment in theory onshore and an extensive assessment on the water, Steve Smyth was recently passed out as…

Wicklow Lifeboat Launches to Assist Two Men on Vessel Drifting Close to Rocks

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched just after 9.55am on Sunday morning (29 May) to reports of a motorboat with two onboard that was in difficulties south of Wicklow Harbour. Three minutes later the lifeboat was on scene, where the motorboat’s…

Lifeboats Come to Aid of Seven People and a Dog After Tall Ship Runs Aground in Carlingford Lough

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI crews from Kilkeel in Co Down and Clogherhead in Co Louth launched to the aid of seven people and a dog last week after their 80ft tall ship ran aground in Carlingford Lough. The lifeboat volunteers launched their inshore…

Busy Weekend for Portaferry Lifeboat on Strangford Lough

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of four people across three callouts on Strangford Lough over the weekend for the Northern Ireland volunteer lifeboat crew. The first call came just after 1am on Saturday morning (28 May) when a spoken-word…

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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