RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Three Callouts In Two Days For Portaferry Lifeboat

1st August 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Portaferry RNLI has urged the public to be vigilant and to take care near or on water this summer following three callouts in two days for the Co Down lifeboat station. The volunteer lifeboat crew was first put…

Red Bay RNLI Rescues Man After Fall From Wall in Cushendall

31st July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Lifeboat crew from Red Bay RNLI rescued a man who fell over a wall sustaining multiple injuries in the early hours of this morning (Sunday 31 July). The man who fell at 2.30am landed close to rocks beside the lifeboat…

Lough Derg RNLI attend a cruiser aground at Ryan's Point

Lough Derg RNLI Attend Two Separate Cruisers Aground

30th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

There have been two back to back callouts for Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to assist a family of seven on a 40ft–cruiser aground at the Goat Road, and to assist a family of five on board at 35ft–cruiser aground at…

The three women were on passage from Norway to the Caribbean. See video below

Larne RNLI Rescues Three Yachtswomen After Yacht Gets into Difficulty off Antrim coast

30th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Larne RNLI rescued three people late last night (Friday 29 July) after their 6m yacht got into difficulty off the Antrim coast. The three women were on passage from Norway to the Caribbean having come through the Caledonian canal, and…

Skerries Lifeboat Launches To Boat With Fouled Propeller

30th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on Thursday evening (28 July) to reports of a 21ft boat with a fouled propeller south of Rush Harbour. A person on board the stricken vessel had contacted one…

Des Davitt and Dave O'Leary have received awards from the RNLI in recognition of their service over the years

Double Award For Wicklow RNLI Members Recognised For Dedication

29th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Two members of Wicklow Lifeboat Station have received awards from the RNLI in recognition of their dedication and service over the years. Deputy second coxswain Dave O’Leary has been awarded the crewman’s Long Service Badge for meritorious service…

Youghal Lifeboat Launches Twice In One Day To Reports Of Engine Trouble, Missing Person

27th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Youghal RNLI in East Cork was requested to launch twice this past Sunday (24 July) to separate reports of a boat with engine trouble and a missing person. The volunteer lifeboat crew were first called upon to launch…

Portrush RNLI assist with the rescue of a man who fell on rocks near Dunluce Castle

Cave Faller Rescue Caps Off Busy Week For Portrush Lifeboats & North Coast Lifeguards

25th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - It was another busy day for North Coast lifeboat volunteer crews as both Portrush RNLI lifeboats were launched for the second time in 24 hours yesterday evening (Sunday 24 July). The all-weather and inshore lifeboats were launched at 5.30pm…

Skerries RNLI recover their Atlantic 85 lifeboat after the callout

Skerries Lifeboat Launches To Swimmer In Difficulty

25th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on Saturday afternoon (23 July) after Dublin Coast Guard received a call from a concerned member of public about a swimmer in difficulty. The lifeboat launched shortly after 12.30pm…

Bangor RNLI towing the broken down motorboat to Carrickfergus

Bangor Lifeboat Rescues Two After Motorboat Breakdown

24th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - At 7:30am yesterday morning (Saturday 23 July), Bangor RNLI was requested by HM Coastguard to attend a boat off Carrickfergus in Belfast Lough, following the firing of a red distress flare. On arrival at the scene, the volunteer…

Rosslare Harbour RNLI Called to Two Incidents on Busy Saturday Afternoon

24th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

While out on a weekly lifeboat exercise Rosslare RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were called out by the Coast Guard to two separate incidents. The first incident, which occurred close to the Burrow point at Rosslare Strand, involved a small dog…

Skerries RNLI rescuing four men after their speedboat drifted onto rocks at Colt Island

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Four From Speedboat On Rocks

22nd July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI launched yesterday afternoon (Thursday 21 July) after Dublin Coast Guard received a call from a vessel that had suffered engine failure near the islands off the North Co Dublin coastal town. The lifeboat launched shortly after…

Bangor Lifeboat Rescues Boys Trapped On Rocks

21st July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - It was just a routine exercise for Bangor RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew on Sunday night (17 July) until they got the call to rescue two young boys who were cut off by a rising tide while fishing at…

Red Bay RNLI prepares to tow the 40ft yacht to Cushendall

Early Callout For Red Bay Lifeboat To Tow Yacht Stranded In Fog

20th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Red Bay RNLI was paged at 6am this morning (Wednesday 20 July) to go to the aid of a 40ft yacht, with two people on board, after the vessel suffered engine failure and was unable to move. The…

Wicklow RNLI's all-weather and inshore lifeboats at sea

Wicklow Lifeboats Launch To Capsized Laser Off Greystones

20th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats launched on Monday afternoon (Monday 18 July) after the Irish Coast Guard received a report of a capsized boat drifting off Greystones. The inshore lifeboat was first on scene and located the upturned Laser yacht,…

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Assist Seven people on 15–ft RIB

20th July 2016 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched at 10.20pm yesterday evening to assist seven young people on board a 15ft–RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with engine difficulties near Coolbawn Quay, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg. Winds were westerly, Force 3, visibility…

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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