RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Larne RNLI volunteer fundraisers Esther Dorman, Stephen Craig and Pamela McAuley

Three Larne RNLI Fundraisers Recognised for Combined 70 Years of Volunteer Service

26th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Three members of Larne RNLI’s fundraising committee, who between them have volunteered for a combined 70 years, have been awarded with long-service medals recognising their contribution to saving lives at sea in Northern Ireland. Pamela McAuley, Esther Dorman and Stephen…

Baltimore RNLI Launch to Windsurfer in Difficulty

26th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide assistance to a windsurfer in difficulty in Baltimore harbour, West Cork yesterday evening (Monday, 25 October). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 6.30pm following a request from the Irish Coast…

RNLI Lifesavers From Portrush to Feature in TV’s Saving Lives at Sea

25th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Following previous appearances by Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Harbour RNLI, the volunteer lifeboat crew in Portrush will be taking to the small screen next Tuesday 2 November as they feature in the 10th and final episode of this…

File image of Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Austin Lidbury

Report of Possible Upturned Vessel Prompts Ballycotton Lifeboat Launch

25th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather Trent class lifeboat Austin Lidbury was called out by Valentia Coast Guard to a report from a passing yacht of a possible upturned boat south of Nohaval. Conditions were fresh with Force 6-7 south-westerly winds and clear…

Portrush Lifeboat Crew Rush Out of Book Launch to Reports of Paddle Boarder in Difficulty

24th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers dashed out of a book launch to a very different kind of launch yesterday afternoon (Saturday 23 October) following reports of two paddle boarders in difficulty some 600 metres off Portstewart Strand on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.…

Fethard RNLI - search called off after two hours

Fethard RNLI Launch to False Alarm with Good Intent

24th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Fethard RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat on Friday afternoon last (22 October) to conduct a sea search. A concerned member of the public out kayaking reported seeing a body like object floating in the sea off Baginbun Beach in County…

The Mullen family, from left: Cian (12), Ronan (14), Liam (9) and Enda (6) with dad James in their C-class 522, pictured alongside Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat in Clifden Bay

Coxswain’s Son Buys Old Clifden Lifeboat After Hearing Dad’s Rescue Stories

23rd October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

A dad’s passion for the old Clifden RNLI lifeboat he served on has passed to the next generation as his son has purchased the first lifeboat his father helmed in 1996. James Mullen, a coxswain at Clifden RNLI in Co…

Lough Derg RNLI crew member Chris Parker presents a framed Certificate of Service to former helm Peter Clarke

Lough Derg RNLI Celebrate Key Volunteers at ‘Family Day’ Luncheon

22nd October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

At their recent ‘Family Day’ on Sunday 3 October, Lough Derg RNLI volunteers took the opportunity to acknowledge the years of dedication of former helm Peter Clarke and lifeboat operations manager Liam Maloney. The COVID guidelines-compliant luncheon at Larkins Restaurant…

Athlone runner Denis Bergin is rasiing funds for the RNLI

Local Man Running Around the Lake for Lough Ree RNLI Boathouse Fund

17th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Athlone resident Denis Bergin embarks on what is more than two marathons this weekend with a 90km run around Lough Ree to raise funds for the RNLI boathouse which is nearing completion at Coosan Point, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The Tullamore…

File image of Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire Lifeboats Respond to Reports of Missing Swimmer

17th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Dun Laoghaire lifeboats were paged by the Irish Coast Guard after an open-water swimmer was reported missing yesterday (Saturday 16 October). The swimmer was part of an organised swimming group who quickly realised that one of their number was…

Rosslare Harbour RNLI carried out a rescue on 16 October 2017 during ‘Storm Ophelia’ that saw three lives saved in hurricane conditions

Rosslare Harbour RNLI to Receive Vellum Honour for ‘Storm Ophelia’ Rescue That Saved Three Lives

15th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lifeboat crew at Rosslare Harbour RNLI, who carried out a rescue on 16 October 2017 during ‘Storm Ophelia’ that saw three lives saved in hurricane conditions, will receive an award from the RNLI for the service. The Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke…

HM Coastguard helicopter arrives at Ballintoy to assist in the rescue of paddle boarders from Sheep Island

Busy Sunday for Portrush Lifeboat With Callouts to Kayakers & Paddle Boarders

11th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI has had a busy Sunday launching to separate reports of kayakers and paddle boarders in difficulty yesterday (10 October). In the first callout, the all-weather lifeboat crew were paged just after 10am to reports of kayakers in difficulty…

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI features in Saving Lives at Sea

RNLI Lifeboat Crew from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Feature in New TV Docu Saving Lives at Sea

11th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer lifeboat crew of Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI will be taking to the small screen on Tuesday, 19 October as they feature in the ninth episode of the BBC TV series Saving Lives at Sea. Real life rescue footage gives…

Bundoran RNLI in Rescue of Woman Caught in Rough seas & Rip Current

11th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Bundoran RNLI was involved in the rescue of a woman who got into difficulty off the Main Beach in Bundoran early yesterday morning (Sunday 10 October). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Malin Head Coast…

Baltimore all-weather lifeboat on its way to North Harbour in Cape Clear

Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat Provides a Medical Evacuation from Cape Clear Island

10th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation this afternoon (Sunday 10 October) from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 2.39 pm, following a request from…

Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on the slipway

Portaferry Lifeboat Launches to Report of Paddle Boarder in Difficulty

6th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew at Portaferry RNLI launched at the request of a stand-up paddle boarder in difficulty on Guns Island in Co Down yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 5 October). Launching at 3.14pm in sunny weather with good visibility and a Force…

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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