RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Launch of New Irish Children’s Book on Connemara is a Boost to Clifden Lifeboat Team

6th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

A new children’s book focusing on the local history and mythology of the North West Connemara region has been launched this week in Co Galway. And a portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Clifden RNLI lifeboats for…

The helicopter lowered a winchman and the casualty was successfully transferred to the helicopter for immediate evacuation to Cork University Hospital

Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Launches to ill Fisherman off West Cork Coast

4th November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was launched last night at 22:54 to go to the assistance of a seriously will fisherman on board a fishing vessel off the West Cork Coast. Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was tasked by Valentia Coastguard Radio at 22:46…

Oban RNLI approaching the broken down fishing boat in Loch Etive

Oban Lifeboat Assists Fishing Vessel in Storm Aiden

1st November 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

As Storm Aiden brought its gale-force winds and driving rain from Ireland to western Scotland, Oban RNLI launched to assist a fishing vessel in distress in Loch Etive. The 22ft fishing boat, with four on board, had broken down west…

Baltimore RNLI on this morning’s medevac call

Baltimore Lifeboat Launches for Medevac from Heir Island

30th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation this morning (Friday 30 October) from Heir Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 9.22am following a request from the Irish Coast…

Skerries RNLI approaching Shenick Island

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Father & Son Cut Off by Tide on Shenick Island

28th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

A father and son were rescued by Skerries RNLI after they were stranded on Shenick Island by the rising tide yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 27 October). Pagers sounded for the lifeboat volunteers at 3pm and within minutes the Atlantic 85 inshore…

The busiest lifeboat station has been Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, with nearly 100 call outs for this year so far, according to the RNLI

Record Year for Rescues as People Turn to Coast & Waterways During Covid-19

28th October 2020 Rescue

Rescue agencies are reporting a record year for incidents on the water as thousands of people turned to the coastline, lakes and rivers during Covid-19. The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have all been under pressure to…

RNLI Issue Water Safety Plea During Mid-Term Break

23rd October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI has issued a plea for the public to take heed of important water safety advice as schools begin the mid-term break and the Government has introduced Level 5 restrictions to deal with Covid-19. With the Government restriction on…

Rory Nagle with his restored steam engine Old Mac

Kinsale Lifeboat Volunteers Receive Early Christmas Gift From Steam Engine Fundraiser

22nd October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Like most other charities, the volunteers of Kinsale RNLI have had their fundraising activities curtailed due to Covid-19 restrictions. So it came as a welcome surprise to learn that local steam engine enthusiast Rory Nagle had launched a special mission…

RNLI lifeboat crews from Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Harbour were requested to launch yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 20 October) to assist a cargo vessel that had lost power off Hook Head and was close to rocks.

Three RNLI Lifeboats Assist 4,000 Tonne Cargo Vessel in Danger of Hitting Rocks off Wexford Coast (Video)

21st October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI lifeboat crews from Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Harbour were requested to launch yesterday (Tuesday 20 October) after reports that a 4,000-tonne cargo vessel, the Lily B, had lost all power and was in danger of hitting rocks…

Coastguard & Lifeboats Assisting Drifting Cargo Vessel off Waterford

20th October 2020 Coastguard

In a major mobilisation of rescue services off the south-east coast this evening, the Irish Coast Guard is coordinating assistance being provided to a cargo vessel that has lost power off the Waterford Harbour. The Coast Guard said in a…

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

Double Lifeboat Callout For Medevacs From Aran Islands

20th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteers were called twice in succession to aid two people in need of medical attention in the Galway Bay islands yesterday morning, Monday 19 October. The lifeboat crew were tasked to launch their all-weather vessel David Kirkaldy…

Baltimore RNLI preparing to depart the lifeboat station

Baltimore RNLI in Medical Evacuation from Sherkin Island

19th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation late last night (Sunday 18 October) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 11.39 pm, following a request…

Loch Ness RNLI’s crew approach the flying boat with engine trouble

Lifeboat Launches To WWII Seaplane In Distress On Loch Ness

18th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI recorded one of their more unusual launches yesterday evening (Saturday 17 October) after a World War II-era seaplane made a distress call from Loch Ness. It emerged that the aircraft, the PBY Catalina, had experienced engine issues while…

Skerries RNLI towing the yacht into Rogerstown

Skerries Lifeboat Tows Drifting Yacht To Safety

17th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI recently launched to the rescue of a yacht with one person aboard that was adrift in the Skerries Islands. The incident occurred on Thursday morning 15 October, when the yacht made a VHF distress call that was relayed…

Sea Swimming Fatality at Bangor on Belfast Lough

13th October 2020 Northern Ireland Waters

Skippingstone Beach is a popular swimming venue a short distance to the west of Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough and sadly was the scene this morning (13th October) of a fatality. It is only a few hundred yards from the…

County Kerry RNLI Seeking New Volunteers to Help Save Lives at Sea at Fenit

13th October 2020 RNLI Lifeboats

The team at Fenit RNLI in County Kerry is calling for new volunteers to help them to save lives at sea. The charity is looking for volunteers to take up the Deputy Launching Authority role at the station. This role…

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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