RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

File image of Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Arranmore Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker From Rocks at Owey Island

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Arranmore RNLI in Co Donegal rescued a kayaker on rocks at Owey Island on Sunday afternoon (10 September). The volunteer crew were asked to launch their all-weather lifeboat by Malin Head Coast Guard at 2.50pm to reports of a kayaker…

Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on the scene with the stricken fishing boat on Sunday 10 September

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Rescues Three People in Difficulty Off Inishmurray

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI's volunteer crew were requested to launch at 2.10pm on Sunday afternoon (10 September) to reports of three people in difficulty off Inishmurray Island. The three were on a boat which had earlier left from Mullaghmore Harbour on…

Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat is launched

Fethard RNLI Rescue Family of Four in Broken-Down Speedboat

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A family of four on board a broken-down speedboat off the County Wexford coast received assistance from the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI over the weekend. The Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of the lifeboat on Saturday evening…

Members of Courtmacsherry RNLI pictured with lifeboat donor Val Adnams (pictured right of photo) at the Naming Ceremony for station’s Shannon class lifeboat in West Cork

Courtmacsherry RNLI Crew Welcomes Donor to Name New Shannon Class Lifeboat ‘Val Adnams’

10th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A significant crowd gathered at Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat station in West Cork for the naming ceremony of the new Shannon class lifeboat on Saturday. Val Adnams, the principal donor, flew from Idaho, USA, to name the state-of-the-art vessel. Esteemed guests,…

Galway RNLI launched to assist two kayakers in difficulty on Galway Bay

Galway Bay RNLI Rescue Two Kayakers off Hare Island

9th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway RNLI received a request from the Irish Coast Guard to launch and assist two kayakers who were reportedly in trouble off Hare Island in the inner Galway Bay. The volunteer crew promptly launched the lifeboat with crew members Dave…

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat crew that rescued the sea swimmer included Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Stuart Russell, and crew members Ken Cashman, Donal Young, Denis Murphy, and Kieran Boyle

West Cork Swimmer Rescued by RNLI Lifeboat in Thick Fog

9th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A sea swimmer in West Cork was rescued by an RNLI lifeboat crew in thick fog this morning. The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat "Val Adnams" was called early this morning (Saturday, September 9th) by the Valentia Coast Guard Marine…

File image of Howth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Howth RNLI Urge Anyone Visiting the Coast to Stay Safe Following Five Rescues

8th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Howth RNLI are urging anyone planning a trip to the coast, beach or inland waters over the weekend to stay safe amid the continued good spell of warm weather forecast. This follows a busy period for…

The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and the RNLI urge the public to pay attention to personal safety and follow safety guidelines

Maritime Hazards During Warm Weather in Ireland: Agency Safety Warning

8th September 2023 Coastguard

Agencies have issued a warning to the public regarding maritime safety during the current warm weather in Ireland. The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and the RNLI urge the public to pay attention to personal safety and follow safety…

Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat returning from the call-out on Wednesday 6 September

Wicklow Lifeboat Brings Three Fishermen to Safety After Boat Breaks Down

7th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Wednesday morning (6 September) after their vessel developed mechanical problems north-east of Wicklow Harbour. Under the command of coxswain Alan Goucher, the all-weather lifeboat Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its mooring at…

File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Aran Islands Lifeboat Responds to Medevac Call From Inis Mór

7th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat responded to a medical evacuation request from Inis Mór on Tuesday (5 September). The patient was transferred safely aboard the lifeboat under the supervision of the volunteer crew at the pontoon at Kilronan Harbour and…

Skerries RNLI’s inshore lifeboat returning the casualties to shore on Monday evening 4 September

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Four After Personal Watercraft Breaks Down

5th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI rescued two men and two women on Monday evening (4 September) after their personal watercraft broke down off Portrane beach. Shortly before 6pm, Dublin Coast Guard tasked the volunteers at Skerries RNLI following receipt of a radio transmission…

Bundoran RNLI Rescues Four People from Rip Currents off Main Beach

5th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Four people had to be rescued by the Bundoran RNLI over the weekend after getting caught in rip currents off Main Beach. In two separate incidents, three teenagers and a man were plucked from the water and brought to safety by…

Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat approach the kayakers baulked by the tide

Kayakers Rescued by Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Inshore Crew

4th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Two kayakers were rescued by the Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat volunteers on Sunday afternoon, 3rd September, after they got into trouble near Wicklow Head. The Inshore lifeboat was launched shortly after 4 pm after a member of the public walking…

The RNLI Courtmacsherry new Shannon class lifeboat 'Val Adnams'

West Cork Lifeboat Station to Unveil New Shannon Class Lifeboat 'Val Adnams' in Honour of Lifelong RNLI Supporter

2nd September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

An historic West Cork lifeboat station is set to officially name a new Shannon class lifeboat 'Val Adnams' during a ceremony at 1:45 pm on Saturday, September 9. The guest of honour on the day will be Val Adnams herself,…

Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat bringing the pleasure boat to the safety of Ballycotton Pier with an alongside tow

Ballycotton Lifeboat Rescues Skipper When Vessel Suffers Engine Failure

28th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A boat with one person on board fishing off Ballycotton Island got into difficulty on Saturday (26 August) when the vessel suffered engine failure and was in danger of running aground on the rocks. At approximately 2.20pm the skipper of…

Helvick Head RNLI Assists Four in Broken Down RIB off Ballinacourty Lighthouse

28th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Four sailors were rescued by the Helvick Head RNLI on Friday afternoon after they experienced difficulties near Ballinacourty Lighthouse, southeast of Dungarvan. A member of the public reported the incident to the Irish Coast Guard, who then requested the volunteer…

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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