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 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.

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

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

RNLI Reminds Swimmers & Dippers of Cold Water Risks After Five Lives Saved Last Winter

25th January 2022 Sea Swim

The RNLI is urging anyone taking part in open water swims and dips to be aware of the risks after revealing five people are alive today after being rescued in swimming-related incidents last winter*. Cold water shock is a very…

Wicklow's All-weather lifeboat', part of the Curacha outdoor exhibition

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Tow Motor Cruiser with Three on Board to Safety

23rd January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat Johanna and Henry Williams under the command of Alan Goucher on his first ‘Shout’ as Coxswain, towed an eight-metre motor cruiser with three people on board to safety this afternoon (Sunday, 23 January) after the vessel…

Lifeguards are needed for beaches at Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart, Portrush West, Portrush East, Whiterocks and Ballycastle on the Causeway Coast and at Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield in county Down.

RNLI on the Lookout for New Lifesavers

18th January 2022 Northern Ireland Waters

The RNLI has launched its search for budding new lifeguards to start their career on some of Northern Ireland’s most popular beaches, as applications open for 2022. Recruitment for this season’s team of RNLI beach lifesavers on the Causeway Coast…

The RNLI Inshore boat was tasked to a yacht on rocks just off Sandycove on Dublin Bay

Dun Laoghaire Coastguard & RNLI Tasked to Yacht Aground off Sandycove on Dublin Bay

18th January 2022 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

The Irish Coast Guard at Dun Laoghaire Harbour along with the RNLI Inshore boat was tasked to a yacht on rocks just off Sandycove at the Forty Foot Bathing Pace on the south shore of Dublin Bay on Monday afternoon. The…

First Callout for New Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Helm

16th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI Inshore RNLI lifeboat was launched at 10:30 am this morning (Sunday 16 January) after a concerned member of the public contacted the Coast Guard to report a lone kayaker in difficulties south of Wicklow harbour. The Inshore lifeboat…

Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer crewmember Rory Bolton receives his 20-year service medal. L-R: Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Edward Totterdell, Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Rory Bolton and RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Peter Harty with Rory’s children James (3) and Alice (7)

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Volunteer Receives Recognition for 20 Years Saving Lives at Sea

14th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has awarded volunteer lifeboat crewmember Rory Bolton with a medal recognising his twenty years’ service to the charity at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Over the course of two decades, Rory has been a volunteer crew member on both the…

Helvick Head RNLI launch on their first shout of 2022

First Call Out of 2022 for Helvick Head RNLI as Fishermen Aided after 29ft Boat Breaks Down

13th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Helvick Head RNLI of County Waterford came to the aid of two fishermen yesterday (Wednesday 12 January) after their 29ft fishing boat broke down at Ballyvoyle. On what was described as a sunny and calm day on the water, the…

Lough Derg “Lap the Lake” Cycle Will Raise Funds for RNLI

12th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

A Lough Derg “Lap the lake” 130 km cycle is raising funds for RNLI Lough Derg this May Starting and finishing at the well-known harbour of Dromineer, parking and showers will be available at nearby Lough Derg Yacht Club. Lough…

File image of Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Youghal Lifeboat Retrieves Drifting Boat After Concerned Onlooker Raises Alarm

5th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat launched yesterday morning (Tuesday 4 January) to a report from a member of the public who saw a boat drifting out to sea. The lifeboat crew located the 12ft punt at 10.15am drifting from Youghal Bridge…

Tommy Kehoe (11) with fellow charity swimmers and some of the volunteer crew of Kilmore Quay RNLI

Young Charity Swimmer Tops €1K in Aid of Kilmore Quay Lifeboat

4th January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Eleven-year-old Tommy Kehoe was one of around 60 sea swimmers who completed a fundraising challenge on the Little Beach in Kilmore Quay on New Year’s Eve in aid of the Co Wexford village’s RNLI lifeboat. Organised by local women Melinda…

First Call Out of the Year for Howth RNLI Sees Lifeboat Crew aid Paddleboarders & Kayakers

3rd January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer lifeboat crew of Howth RNLI had their first launch of 2022 yesterday (Sunday 2 January) to paddleboarders in difficulty off the coast of Portmarnock Beach. Immediately after that, they were tasked to rescue a group of kayakers who…

Right-Wing Attacks Backfire as Humanitarian Work in English Channel Drives Bumper Fundraising Year for RNLI

2nd January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has recorded a bumper year in donations driven largely by public support for its humanitarian work in the English Channel, as the Guardian reports. Online donations to the charity that saves lives at sea have risen by 50%…

New Year’s Day Surfer Callout with Good Intent for Bundoran RNLI

2nd January 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of the Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat was called out to reports of a surfer in difficulty on New Year’s Day afternoon. The emergency call was placed to Malin Head Coast Guard just after 3 pm on Saturday (1st…

Baltimore RNLI Called Out for Medical Evacuation from Cape Clear Island

31st December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation yesterday (Thursday 30 December) from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 9.26 am, following a request to bring…

Skerries RNLI volunteers with their long-service awards

Skerries Lifeboat Volunteers Receive Long-Service Awards Totalling 190 Years

31st December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

Over the course of 2021, volunteers with Skerries RNLI were presented with long-service awards totalling 190 years of volunteering with the charity that saves lives at sea. Due to restrictions on gatherings, the north Co Dublin lifeboat station was unable…

RNLI Partners With The Boat Race for 2022

29th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI recently launched its partnership as the official charity partner of The Gemini Boat Race 2022, which is set for Sunday 3 April. Since 2002, the RNLI’s Chiswick lifeboat station has supported The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge…