RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Polish Kayaker Andrzej Kolobi and his family with the Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat, the

RNLI Lifesavers Reunite with Kayaker They Rescued as Charity issues Mayday Call for Fundraising Appeal

25th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

To help launch this year’s Mayday Mile fundraiser for the RNLI, a lone kayaker who got into difficulty off Clogherhead in County Louth last month, returned to visit the lifeboat crew who saved his life when he capsized in a…

A tow underway by Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat

Lough Ree RNLI Assist 17 People Over Easter Holidays

25th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

From Good Friday (15 April) until the weekend just passed the volunteer crew at Lough Ree RNLI came to the assistance of 17 people who encountered difficulties on and around the lake. Four of the call-outs were to cruisers which…

Union Hall RNLI Crew and shore crew from left to right - Jim Moloney, Peter Deasy, Chris Collins, Riona Casey, Sean Walsh, Paddy Moloney, Niamh Collins, Haulie Hurley and John Kelleher

Union Hall RNLI Launch to a Vessel in Difficulty East of Galley Head in West Cork

25th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer Union Hall RNLI crew in West Cork were requested to launch their inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding, by the Irish Coast Guard at 7.56 pm on Sunday 24th April to a 33-foot vessel with two persons…

Two of the abandoned kayaks were recovered later in the afternoon

Tramore RNLI Go to the Aid of a Group of Kayakers in Difficulty

24th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Tramore RNLI were on a training exercise on Saturday afternoon (23 April) when they were tasked by MRCC and redirected to assist a group of kayakers in difficulty. Upon arrival at the scene minutes later, the crew learned that the…

The RNLI lifeboat in Kilmore Quay launched to assist a yacht with an injured crew member on board

Kilmore Quay RNLI Launch to Yacht with Injured Crew Member

23rd April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched on Friday evening (22 April) to assist a yacht with an injured crew member 20 miles off the Wexford coast. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, by the Irish…

Be a Lifesaver and Support the Achill Island Lifeboat Crew’s Mayday Mile

22nd April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Usually, it’s the lifesavers of the RNLI who answer Mayday calls – it’s the most serious call for help. But this May, they need the public’s help. The charity is calling on the people of Achill and its diaspora to…

Goat Herder Melissa Jeuken brings members of Howth RNLI lifeboat crew on a tour of the goat farm on Howth Head

Howth RNLI Name New ‘Kid on the Block’ at Howth Head Conservation Project

22nd April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteer lifeboat crew from Howth RNLI visited a farm on Howth Head this week to meet and officially name a newborn kid goat as part of the conservation grazing project in the local area. The invitation was made by the…

File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Double Medevac Request for Aran Islands Lifeboat Crew

21st April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI had a busy Wednesday (20 April) with near back-to-back callouts for medical evaluations. The first came just after 10am when the Irish Coast Guard asked the volunteer crew to launch for a local man on the island…

Skerries RNLI’s inshore lifeboat approaching Malahide with the motorboat alongside

Skerries Lifeboat Tows Motorboat With Electrical Issues to Safety

19th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI were tasked shortly before noon on Easter Monday (18 April) following a request for assistance to Dublin Coast Guard from two men on board a 4m motorboat. The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis…

Clifden Lifeboat Assists With Good Friday Medevac from Inishbofin

18th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist with the medevac of a casualty from Inishbofin on Good Friday. Clifden’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat was launched at 11.30am on Friday (15 April) and…

Aware of an extended shoal inside Red Island, an RNLI volunteer took soundings off the bow and, using onboard electronic navigation, the crew plotted a safe course to the casualty vessel.

Lough Derg RNLI Assist Lone Skipper on a 30ft Cruiser Aground Behind Red Island

18th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At 7.46 pm, Sunday, April 17, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a lone skipper on 30ft cruiser aground, inside Red Island on the south-western County Clare shore. The wind was south-southwest, Force 3/4.…

By taking a few simple steps, everyone can reduce the risk of an accident in or near the water and avoid a call out for the emergency services

Water Safety Appeal Issued By the Coast Guard, RNLI & Water Safety Ireland for Easter Weekend

14th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

In the lead up to the Easter bank holiday weekend, the Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint water safety appeal and are asking people to take some basic precautions to stay safe when they visit…

RNLI Lifeguards Set to Return for Easter as New Data Shows Record Breaking Summer

11th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has revealed lifeguard statistics from 2021 which show more people than ever visited a lifeguarded beach in Northern Ireland and needed the help of the charity’s lifesavers. During the season, lifeguard teams located on 11 beaches along the…

The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat crew under Coxswain Mark Gannon arriving back from the call

Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat in Callout to Surfers in Difficulties & a Spotted Liferaft off the Seven Heads, West Cork

11th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was called out this evening, Sunday, April 10th, at 7.50 pm, by the Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre when persons on the shore noticed that two surfers appeared in difficulties off Dunworley…

Dom Sharkey, a helm at Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat

Lough Derg RNLI Helm Dom Sharkey Recognised for 12 years of Dedicated Service

10th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Dom Sharkey, a helm at Lough Derg RNLI has retired after twelve years dedicated service to the charity. Dom, a carpenter and master craftsman who works in building and renovation is recognized as a valued member of the RNLI team…

Lough Derg RNLI head for the 37-foot motor cruiser aground off Hare Island

Lough Derg RNLI Assist Six People After Cruiser Runs Aground North of Hare Island

9th April 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

On Friday afternoon, 8 April, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist six people on a 37ft cruiser that ran aground north of Hare Island on the Co. Clare shore. At 3.02 pm the lifeboat…

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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