RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

The Aran Islands RNLI all-weather Severn class lifeboat launched to a Medical Evacuation of an Inis Meáin resident

Aran Islands RNLI Carries out Medical Evacuation of Resident on Inis Meáin

22nd November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Aran Islands RNLI were asked to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat last night, (Sunday 21 November) at 8.17 pm by the Irish Coast Guard. A resident on the neighbouring Island of Inis Meáin was in…

Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat returns to the Causeway Coast harbour in the early hours of Saturday 20 November

Portrush Lifeboat Carries Out Medevac From Research Vessel

20th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 20 November) to reports of a casualty taken ill on 42m research vessel some three nautical miles northwest of the Causeway Coast town. The all-weather lifeboat…

Selfless courage – the Dunmore East Lifeboat heads seaward

Dunmore East’s Courageous Lifeboat Crews & Maritime Heritage To Be Celebrated In Zoom Talk

16th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association invite participation in their next Zoom session “Dauntless Courage: The History of the RNLI Lifeboats, their crews and the Maritime Heritage of the Dunmore East Community,” which will be given by David Carroll on Thursday…

Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat - in search for paddleboarder

Three Northern Ireland RNLI Lifeboats Help in Multi-Agency Search for Paddeboarder

12th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Three RNLI Lifeboat’s from Bangor, Donaghadee and Larne were today involved with a multi-agency search with two Coastguard helicopters, Lagan Search and Rescue, PSNI Boat and local Coastguard Rescue Teams. After reports of a paddleboarder overdue at Helen’s Bay, Belfast…

Lough Derg RNLI volunteer Laura Clarke with her Excellence in Volunteering Award

Lough Derg Lifeboat Fundraising Volunteer Receives Excellence Award

10th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A fundraising volunteer for Lough Derg RNLI has received an award for her services to the Co Tipperary lifeboat station. Laura Clarke was presented with the Excellence in Volunteering Award by RNLI community manager Jennifer Grey during the annual Christmas…

Dun Laoghaire RNLI Shop to House Community Defibrillator Donated by Family of Much-Loved Local Man

9th November 2021 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI shop, located in the harbour beside the busy East pier is the location for a new community defibrillator, donated by the family of Larry Costello, who died following a cardiac arrest in 2016. The family have…

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson Visiting Harland & Wolff (Appledore). L-R: John Wood (Harland & Wolff Group CEO), Boris Johnson (Prime Minister), Clifford Edwards (Maintenance Manager)

Harland & Wolff Sign Framework Agreement with the RNLI

8th November 2021 Shipyards

Harland & Wolff, the iconic shipyard with over 160 years of maritime and offshore engineering pedigree, is delighted to announce it has signed a framework agreement with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for the haul-out, repairs, maintenance, refurbishment and…

The RNLI is calling on the people of Cork to do their bit and join the RNLI's 5K Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens at 11 am on Sunday, 5 December

RNLI Launch Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens in Cork Harbour

8th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Grab your antlers, lace up those hooves – help save lives at sea by getting on your running shoes for the RNLI's Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens in Cork Harbour. The RNLI is calling on the people of…

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams

Wicklow RNLI Launch to Assist Fishermen

7th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams launched at 8:10 am this morning (Monday 1 November), to investigate a report of a ten-metre fishing vessel in difficulties north of Wicklow harbour. The lifeboat was alongside the drifting fishing…

The Dunmore East RNLI Shannon Class Lifeboat 13-41 'William and Agnes Wray

Dunmore East RNLI’s New Shannon Class Lifeboat Goes into Service on the South East Coast

7th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI’s Shannon Class lifeboat 13-41 ‘William and Agnes Wray’ officially went on service today (Saturday 6 November 2021). The Shannon class lifeboat arrived in Dunmore East Harbour on Sunday 26th September, and since then the volunteer lifeboat crew…

File image of Skerries RNLI launching their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Skerries RNLI Seeks New Recruits to Join North Co Dublin Station

4th November 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The team at Skerries RNLI in North Co Dublin is calling for new volunteers to help them to save lives at sea. In particular, the charity is looking for new volunteers to take up the roles of inshore lifeboat crew,…

Bundoran RNLI’s crew approach Tullan Strand on their inshore lifeboat

Bundoran Lifeboat Called to Help Mooo-ve Cow Out of Danger at Tullan Strand

29th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI were called out on Wednesday afternoon (27 October) to reports of a cow in distress in the surf at Tullan Strand in the Donegal town. A passer-by had spotted the animal in the water…

File image of Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Three on Fishing Boat With Engine Failure

28th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched on Tuesday afternoon (26 October) to assess a fishing boat with three people on board, which had broken down around a mile northeast of Knockninny on Upper Lough Erne.…

File image of Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Five on Cruiser in Difficulty in Severe Weather

27th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were tasked last night (Tuesday 26 October) to assist five people on a 48ft cruiser at anchor near the Benjamin Rocks on the Co Clare shore. At 11.10pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Ger…

Skerries RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and Clogherhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat approach the sailing dinghy in distress off Laytown

Back-to-Back Callouts for Skerries Lifeboat at October Bank Holiday Weekend

27th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI responded to two calls for help, one immediately after the other on Sunday afternoon (24 October) afternoon, responding to three kayakers in difficulty near Portrane and then two sailors in difficulty near Laytown. Shortly after 2pm, Dublin Coast…

A file photo of the Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat

Bank Holiday Rescue of Kayaker for Wicklow RNLI

26th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat crew brought a man to safety after his kayak capsized in choppy waters off Wicklow Head yesterday afternoon (Monday 25 October). The kayaker was spotted by members of the public, who contacted the Coast Guard. The…

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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