RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Family Motor Cruiser Aground at Terryglass, Lough Derg RNLI Responds

8th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

On Saturday evening, 7 August, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a family of four on a cruiser reported aground close to Terryglass Harbour. At 8.44 pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm…

Skerries RNLI taking the casualty vessel under tow

Skerries & Howth Lifeboats Launch to Sinking Vessel Off Rush

6th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI volunteers from Skerries and Howth were tasked to Rush in north Co Dublin on Wednesday afternoon (4 August) following a Pan-Pan VHF call from small fishing boat with two on board that was taking on water near the entrance…

The new Lough Ree RNLI boathouse is donated by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, which will have its national headquarters under the same roof

€1.2m Lough Ree RNLI Boathouse Nears Completion

6th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteers got an opportunity recently to examine progress on the building of the new boathouse at Coosan Point, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. As the charity enters its tenth year of service on Lough Ree the local RNLI volunteer…

Baltimore RNLI Called Out Following Activation of a Personal Locator Beacon Within Baltimore Harbour

5th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was launched earlier this evening (Thursday 5 August) following the activation of an alarm from a personal locator beacon within Baltimore Harbour in West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 6.54 pm following a…

Dunmore East RNLI Assist Two People Onboard a Broken Down Fishing Vessel

5th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat launched yesterday (Wednesday, August 4) to a report of a 12-metre fishing vessel with two people on-board, that had broken down 17 miles South West of Dunmore East. At 5:00 pm the lifeboat launched at the…

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Assists Yacht Dragging Anchor in Dunmanus Bay

5th August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere lifeboat was launched early this morning (Thursday 5th August 2021) just after 2.00 a.m. to go to the immediate assistance of a yacht that was dragging its anchor in Dunmanus Bay in West Cork. Yesterday evening a 32-foot yacht,…

File image of Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Portaferry Lifeboat Launches to Woman Injured on Yacht

3rd August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched yesterday evening (Monday 2 August) to the aid of a woman who had fallen onboard a yacht. The volunteer lifeboat crew’s pagers sounded just after 7.30pm and they launched amid good conditions to assess the…

The rescue of the Lily B off Hook Head on 20 October 2020

Three Irish Lifeboat Crews to Receive Gallantry Awards for Rescue Off Hook Head

2nd August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI is to present three Irish lifeboat crews with gallantry awards for their role in a rescue last October that saved nine lives and prevented a 100m cargo vessel from hitting rocks at Hook Head. The coxswains of Dunmore…

The all-weather lifeboat Ger Tighclearr tows the casualty vessel back to Arklow Harbour

Arklow Lifeboat Launches to Cruiser With Fouled Propeller During Regatta

2nd August 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Arklow RNLI launched swiftly on Sunday (1 August) to assist a support vessel that lost propulsion during a sailing regatta off the Co Wicklow town. Most of the volunteer crew were already close to the station when they received the…

The RNLI is sharing some advice and top tips to help people stay safe on the water

RNLI Shares Water Safety Advice for the Bank Holiday Weekend

30th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

This bank holiday weekend, with more people expected to take part in water-based activities, the RNLI is sharing some advice and top tips to help people stay safe on the water, whether travelling to the coast or visiting inland waters.…

File image of RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie

RNLI Chief Issues Statement on Humanitarian Work in English Channel

29th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

In response to media reports on the RNLI’s humanitarian work in the English Channel, chief executive Mark Dowie has spoken of his pride in the efforts of the charity’s lifeboat volunteers. “I could not be prouder of our amazing volunteer…

Skerries RNLI’s inshore lifeboat en route to Rush

Skerries Lifeboat Responds to Reports of Paddle Boarders in Difficulty

29th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 28 July) following a 999 call from a member of the public reporting paddle boarders in difficulty in Rush Harbour. Shortly before 3pm, the volunteer crew at Skerries RNLI…

The RNLI lifeboat crew rescued three kayakers stranded on rocks at Kilmurrin Cove

Helvick RNLI Rescue Three Kayakers Stranded on Rocks at Kilmurrin Cove

29th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteer lifeboat crew from Helvick Head RNLI in Waterford, rescued three kayakers stranded on rocks at Kilmurrin Cove yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 28 July) when a sudden squall capsized one of the kayaks and the group were forced onto the rocks…

Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis

Busy Afternoon for Enniskillen Lifeboat With Two Callouts at Castle Archdale

28th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

In a busy Tuesday afternoon (27 July) for Enniskillen RNLI, the volunteer lifeboat crew launched on two callouts in the vicinity of Castle Archdale. The first came at 4.30pm after a passer-by alerted the coastguard to a person who went…

File image of Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Baltimore Lifeboat Launches on Back-to-Back Callouts

26th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI launched on back-to-back callouts in West Cork on Sunday evening (25 July), including a medevac and a motorboat taking on water. The first launch was at 8.15pm to reports of a 23ft motorboat taking on water at Church…

Skerries RNLI returning to shore with the kayakers on board

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Four as Inflatable Kayak Is Pulled Out to Sea

26th July 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI rescued two adults and two children on Sunday afternoon (25 July) after their inflatable kayak had been pulled out to sea by strong currents. Just before 2pm, Dublin Coast Guard requested Skerries RNLI to launch their Atlantic 85…

Start
Prev
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
Next
End

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