RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

One of the two Valentia RNLI crew who went ashore to assist with the casualty

Valentia Lifeboat Assists in Rescue of Fisherman Needing Medical Assistance

18th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Valentia RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers launched to the aid of a fisherman requiring medical assistance this week. At 3.11pm on Thursday (16 September), Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI to launch their all-weather lifeboat for the fisherman requiring medical assistance on…

Skerries RNLI returning to station with the swimmers safely on board

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Two Swimmers in Difficulty

18th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI rescued a man and a woman who got into difficulty while swimming off the north Co Dublin town this week. The lifeboat unit was requested to launch shortly before 5pm on Thursday afternoon (16 September) after a 999 call…

Newcastle RNLI’s crew attempt to pump water from the stricken cabin cruiser

Portaferry & Newcastle Lifeboats Launch to Sinking Cabin Cruiser

17th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lifeboat crews from Portaferry and Newcastle RNLI were involved in the rescue of a man whose cabin cruiser was in danger of sinking off Co Down yesterday (Thursday 16 September). The volunteers were requested to launch their lifeboats at 6pm…

Raymond “Speedy” Newell presents the cheque to Kilkeel RLNI’s volunteers

Annual Boat Fishing Competition Raises £1,300 for Kilkeel RNLI

16th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

On Tuesday last week (7 September), Merwyn Hanna MBE, president of Kilkeel RNLI and chair of the lifeboat station’s fundraising branch, received a cheque for £1,347.65 from Raymond “Speedy” Newell following a successful fishing competition off the Co Down coast.…

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

Clifden Lifeboats Assist Six on Vessel With Engine Failure in Ballyconneely Bay

15th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Clifden RNLI assisted six people yesterday evening (Tuesday 14 September) after their vessel broke down in Ballyconneely Bay. Just after 6pm, the Connemara town’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats launched in response to reports that a 14ft vessel with multiple people…

The search and rescue display off Baginbun Beach in Wexford

Fethard RNLI Mark Anniversary with Major Sea Search & Rescue Exercise at Baginbun Beach

13th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Over the weekend Fethard RNLI marked the 25th anniversary of the reopening of their lifeboat station, with an impressive search and rescue display off Baginbun Beach in Wexford. The search and rescue demonstration involved Fethard RNLI and their flanking lifeboat…

Courtmacsherry RNLI on scene with the broken-down pleasure boat Alanna near Barrels Rocks

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Launched to Pleasure Boat Breakdown at Barrels Rocks

12th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Courtmacsherry RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday evening (Saturday 11 September) to go to the aid of a 21ft pleasure boat with engine failure off the Barrels Rocks near Garrettstown in West Cork. Under coxswain Mark John Gannon and a…

File image of Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards

Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Two After Cabin Cruiser Breakdown

11th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched yesterday afternoon (Friday 10 September) to assess a cabin cruiser with two people on board which had broken down some two miles southeast of Knockninny in Co Fermanagh. Once on scene on Upper Lough…

Ciaran Needham, a native of Sáile is Achill Island RNLI station’s new Lifeboat Operations Manager

Achill Island RNLI Welcomes Ciaran Needham as New Lifeboat Operations Manager

10th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI is delighted to welcome Ciaran Needham, a native of Sáile as the station’s new Lifeboat Operations Manager. Ciaran succeeds Tony McNamara, who recently retired from the role. Ciaran is an electrician by trade and is also a…

Stephen Wynne is retiring as Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Wynne Retires After 31 Years

10th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Fifty-one years to the day after he was rescued from a capsized dinghy and inspired to join a lifeboat crew, Stephen Wynne is retiring as Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, a position he has held for over three…

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteers approach the two swimmers in distress on their inshore lifeboat

Two Swimmers Caught in Rip Current Rescued by Sligo Bay Lifeboat

9th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI reminds sea swimmers of the importance of not struggling against rip currents after two people were rescued from a strong current at the ominously named Deadman’s Point. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat shortly…

Portaferry RNLI Aid Two Men on Vessel in Danger of Sinking West of St John’s Point Lighthouse

8th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI came to the aid of two men this morning (Wednesday 8 September) after their 9m rib took on water and was in danger of sinking off St John’s Point Lighthouse in county Down. Newcastle RNLI also responded. The…

Helvick Head RNLI Aids Four People After 14ft Pleasure Boat Breaks Down Near Dungarvan Bay

8th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Helvick Head RNLI came to the aid of four people on Monday evening (6 September) after their 14ft open pleasure boat broke down at Cunnigar Point. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 7.19 pm following…

Achill Island RNLI in Medical Evacuation of Patient from Clare Island

7th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI was involved in the medical evacuation of a female patient from Clare Island this afternoon (Tuesday, 7 September) following a request from the Irish Coast Guard. The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 1.15 pm under…

Denise and Siobhán O’Donoghue and members of their family present the funds to Youghal RNLI

Knockadoon Sisters Cut 128 Inches of Hair & Raise Over €1,600 for Youghal Lifeboat

7th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Knockadoon sisters Siobhán and Denise O’Donoghue recently cut their hair for two charities — raising more than €1,600 for the Youghal lifeboat. Between them, the girls cut a whopping 128 inches of their own hair and donated it to the…

File image of Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Sligo Bay Lifeboats Assists in Rescue of Injured Fisherman

7th September 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI launched to the aid of a fisherman who sustained an injury onboard a boat off Inishmurray at the weekend. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat shortly before noon on Sunday (5 September) following…

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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