RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Bundoran RNLI crew members Brian Fowley, Paul Gallagher and Chris Fox

Bundoran Lifeboat Crew to Walk 10 Miles in Full Kit to Raise Funds

7th February 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Three volunteer lifeboat crew members at Bundoran RNLI will take on the forthcoming Bundoran 10 event by walking the full route in their drysuits, yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets — all while raising money for the charity. Brian Fowley, Chris…

The lifeboat launched at 10.10 ams to go to the assistance of a crew of five on a First 310 type yacht dismasted three-quarters of a mile east of Bulloch harbour.

Dismasted Yacht is Towed Home by Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat

6th February 2022 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

In strong and gusty winds, Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat was called out to a dismasted yacht on Dublin Bay this morning. The lifeboat launched at 10.10 am to go to the assistance of a crew of five on a First…

Two Youghal RNLI crew members reached out and lifted the dog from the rock and brought it onboard the lifeboat. See vid below.

Youghal RNLI Rescues Dog after 100ft Fall from Ardmore Cliffs

4th February 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer RNLI crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 5.47 pm on Wednesday (2nd February) following a request from the Irish Coast Guard that a dog had fallen from the cliffs edge into the water below. The Pointer who had…

Skerries RNLI recovering the lifeboat after the callout

Skerries Lifeboat Launches to People Reported Stranded on Colt Island

2nd February 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI were tasked yesterday evening (Tuesday 1 February) to investigate reports of two people stranded on Colt Island off the North Co Dublin town. Dublin Coast Guard had received several 999 calls from concerned members of the public reporting…

Clogherhead & Kilkeel RNLI Involved in Multi-Agency Response for Windsurfer Reported Missing in Carlingford Lough

1st February 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Clogherhead and Kilkeel RNLI were requested to launch their all-weather and inshore lifeboats this afternoon after a windsurfer was reported missing in Carlingford Lough. The lifeboats were requested to launch just before 2pm following an initial report that a person…

Achill Island RNLI Carry out Medical Evacuation on Clare Island in First Call Out of 2022

31st January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI medically evacuated a man from Clare Island on Friday afternoon (28 January), in what was their first call out of 2022. The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat, Sam and Ada Moody, at 3.26 pm on Friday…

The 12 Swims of Christmas cheque presentation to the RNLI in Fethard

12 Swims of Christmas Raise €9,150 for Fethard RNLI

31st January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Fethard RNLI are hugely grateful to a group of local winter swimmers who each braved the elements completing 12 Swims of Christmas during December, at Baginbun Beach, raising an amazing €9,150. Set up by local artist Helen Mason, this safety-conscious…

A new Mersey class lifeboat has officially gone on service at Newcastle RNLI this week

New Mersey Class Lifeboat Goes on Service at Newcastle RNLI

28th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

When it retired from active service at Margate on England’s southeast coast in April last year, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat faced an uncertain future but RNLB Leonard Kent has now arrived at its new home at Newcastle in County…

RNLI Reminds Swimmers & Dippers of Cold Water Risks After Five Lives Saved Last Winter

25th January 2022 Sea Swim

The RNLI is urging anyone taking part in open water swims and dips to be aware of the risks after revealing five people are alive today after being rescued in swimming-related incidents last winter*. Cold water shock is a very…

Wicklow's All-weather lifeboat', part of the Curacha outdoor exhibition

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Tow Motor Cruiser with Three on Board to Safety

23rd January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat Johanna and Henry Williams under the command of Alan Goucher on his first ‘Shout’ as Coxswain, towed an eight-metre motor cruiser with three people on board to safety this afternoon (Sunday, 23 January) after the vessel…

Lifeguards are needed for beaches at Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart, Portrush West, Portrush East, Whiterocks and Ballycastle on the Causeway Coast and at Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield in county Down.

RNLI on the Lookout for New Lifesavers

18th January 2022 Northern Ireland Waters

The RNLI has launched its search for budding new lifeguards to start their career on some of Northern Ireland’s most popular beaches, as applications open for 2022. Recruitment for this season’s team of RNLI beach lifesavers on the Causeway Coast…

The RNLI Inshore boat was tasked to a yacht on rocks just off Sandycove on Dublin Bay

Dun Laoghaire Coastguard & RNLI Tasked to Yacht Aground off Sandycove on Dublin Bay

18th January 2022 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

The Irish Coast Guard at Dun Laoghaire Harbour along with the RNLI Inshore boat was tasked to a yacht on rocks just off Sandycove at the Forty Foot Bathing Pace on the south shore of Dublin Bay on Monday afternoon. The…

First Callout for New Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Helm

16th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI Inshore RNLI lifeboat was launched at 10:30 am this morning (Sunday 16 January) after a concerned member of the public contacted the Coast Guard to report a lone kayaker in difficulties south of Wicklow harbour. The Inshore lifeboat…

Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer crewmember Rory Bolton receives his 20-year service medal. L-R: Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Edward Totterdell, Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Rory Bolton and RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Peter Harty with Rory’s children James (3) and Alice (7)

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Volunteer Receives Recognition for 20 Years Saving Lives at Sea

14th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has awarded volunteer lifeboat crewmember Rory Bolton with a medal recognising his twenty years’ service to the charity at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Over the course of two decades, Rory has been a volunteer crew member on both the…

Helvick Head RNLI launch on their first shout of 2022

First Call Out of 2022 for Helvick Head RNLI as Fishermen Aided after 29ft Boat Breaks Down

13th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Helvick Head RNLI of County Waterford came to the aid of two fishermen yesterday (Wednesday 12 January) after their 29ft fishing boat broke down at Ballyvoyle. On what was described as a sunny and calm day on the water, the…

Lough Derg “Lap the Lake” Cycle Will Raise Funds for RNLI

12th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

A Lough Derg “Lap the lake” 130 km cycle is raising funds for RNLI Lough Derg this May Starting and finishing at the well-known harbour of Dromineer, parking and showers will be available at nearby Lough Derg Yacht Club. Lough…

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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