RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Coastguard & RNLI Issue Safety Appeal to the Public for Christmas & New Year

23rd December 2021 Coastguard

The Coast Guard and RNLI are appealing to the public to exercise caution when participating in any activity on or near the water during the Christmas and New Year period, and to be mindful of the restrictions in place to…

From left: Rachel Wirtz, Yvette Carter, Reece Cawley, Caroline Collery and Noah Canham with Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Five New Crew Members On Call for the First Time This Christmas at Sligo Bay RNLI

22nd December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A busy mother of two young children is among five new volunteers who will be carrying pagers and on call for the first time this Christmas at Sligo Bay RNLI. As the charity continues its Christmas Appeal, Rachel Wirtz is…

File image of Lough Ree RNLI volunteers on a training exercise in Athlone

Lough Ree RNLI Is Open All Hours Over the Festive Period

20th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

At a time when business and contact hours are at the heart of the national conversation, Lough Ree RNLI is reminding everyone that the charity and its volunteer lifeboat crew remain on call 24/7 throughout Christmas and the New Year.…

Santa Claus returning to the mainland on the Rathlin Island Ferry

Santa Takes Ferry Back From Rathlin Island as Red Bay Lifeboat Crew Are Diverted to Trawler Rescue

20th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Santa Claus had to make his own way back from Rathlin Island yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 December) after the volunteer lifeboat crew from Red Bay RNLI were diverted to go to the aid of a fishing trawler. The 25-metre trawler…

Arranmore lifeboat off the coast of Donegal

RNLI Investing in Donegal's Arranmore Island Lifeboat Station

19th December 2021 Tom MacSweeney

Many of my memories from fifty years of journalism in all sectors of the media, from local weekly newspapers, to national dailies, radio and television, involve lifeboat stations. In tragedy and celebration that has been the focus of coastal communities,…

John O’Toole with his wife Mary at home on Inishturk

Inishturk Islander Will Celebrate 89th Christmas at Home After Achill Island RNLI Medevac

18th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Inishturk islander John O’Toole will enjoy his 89th Christmas at home with his wife Mary, his children and grandchildren in the coming weeks. He and his family won’t take this for granted. however, since John spent several weeks in hospital…

Lough Derg RNLI respond to the paddleboarder callout

Lough Derg RNLI Launched to Assist Paddleboarder Clinging to Navigation Mark

16th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

On Wednesday afternoon, 15 December, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a person who reported themselves in difficulty in the water near Portumna, at the northern end of Lough Derg. As the crew and…

Kilrush RNLI lifeboat operations manager Shawna Johnson with the station’s inshore lifeboat

Kilrush RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Preparing for Her First Christmas On Call

15th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Nine months into her role as lifeboat operations manager at Kilrush RNLI, Shawna Johnson is preparing for her first Christmas on call since taking up the management of the Co Clare lifeboat station. As the charity launches its Christmas appeal,…

Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat taking off on the callout

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat in Callout to Windsurfer off Harbour View Strand

15th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI was alerted on Sunday afternoon (12 December) that a windsurfer was in difficuly off Harbour View Strand in Courtmacsherry Bay and needed immediate assistance. Within minutes of the crew pagers being activated, both the all-weather Trent Class lifeboat…

Two New Volunteer Lifeboat Crew at Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI

13th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

With over 1,500 volunteers around Ireland, each RNLI crew member signs up to save every one from drowning – the charity’s mission since 1824. This Christmas Dun Laoghaire RNLI has a number of new volunteer lifeboat crew who are currently…

RNLI Father and daughter: Jen Harris and her father Stephen

Howth RNLI Father & Daughter Lifeboat Team Help Launch Christmas Appeal

13th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A father and daughter who volunteer to save lives at sea with Howth RNLI and who will be on call over Christmas have asked the public to support the charity’s Christmas appeal. Stephen Harris has been a Deputy Launching Authority…

The Aran Islands RNLI all-weather Severn class lifeboat in Galway Docks

Aran Islands RNLI in Eight-Hour Callout to Fishing Vessel in Difficulty After Storm Barra

9th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The Aran Islands RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather Severn class lifeboat yesterday (Wednesday, 8 December) to go to the aid of a fishing vessel in difficulty, during the aftermath of Storm Barra. The request to launch was made…

French fishing vessels arrive into the Port of Galway

French Fishing Vessel Which Lost Anchor During Storm Barra Towed into Port of Galway

9th December 2021 Fishing

The RNLI Aran lifeboat and Port of Galway came to the aid of a French fishing vessel yesterday which lost its anchor during Storm Barra. The 28-metre Ferreira Martinez was one of three French vessels sheltering from the storm in…

Storm Arwen: RNLI Urges Public to Take Extra Care as Strong Winds & Large Seas Forecast

25th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI is urging people to take extra care over the coming days as strong winds and large seas are expected during Storm Arwen which is forecasted to make its approach from the early hours of tomorrow (Friday morning). With…

Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat with the fishing vessel under tow

Portrush Lifeboat Assists Fishing Vessel in Difficulty

24th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 2.30pm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 23 November) to reports of a fishing vessel in difficulty 800 metres east of the Barmouth. The 26ft vessel with two males on board was reported…

The Aran Islands all-weather Severn class lifeboat

Aran Islands RNLI Aid Two Fishermen After 30-ft Vessel Gets into Difficulty off Nags Head

23rd November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI came to the aid of two fishermen yesterday evening after their vessel got into difficulty off Nags Head in county Clare. The volunteer crew were asked by the Irish Coast Guard to launch their all-weather Severn class…

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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