RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Kilmore Quay RNLI all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney with the angling vessel in tow

Angling Charter Boat Fouls Prop off Saltee Islands, Kilmore Quay RNLI Assist Nine

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched in County Wexford this morning (1 May) to assist nine people onboard an angling charter boat that had fouled its prop east of the Saltee Islands. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to attend the grounded cruiser on the Galway shore of the lough on Sunday evening 30 April

Lough Derg Lifeboat Rescues Cruiser Run Aground With Six On Board

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

In their second callout of the May Bank Holiday weekend, Lough Derg RNLI launched on Sunday evening (30 April) to a cruiser aground on the Galway shore of the lough. The request from Valentia Coast Guard followed a report from…

The relief Shannon class lifeboat Jock and Annie Slater 13-01 on passage to Wicklow to go on station when the last Tyne class lifeboat in the fleet is retired. This aerial shot is taken from the Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 based in Dublin

Wicklow RNLI Bring Three Fishermen to Safety

1st May 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Saturday afternoon (29 May), after their vessel developed mechanical problems three miles east of Greystones Harbour. The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 3.43 pm to reports…

Usually, it is the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews that answers mayday calls – it’s the most serious call for help. But this May, they need your help. The charity is calling on the public to join the RNLI Mayday Mile to raise vital funds to power its lifesaving work towards keeping people safe this summer. Pictured launching the RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser are Clifden RNLI lifeboat crew from left, David O’Reilly, Joseph Acton, Gerry Claffey, James Mullen, John Mullen, David Barry and Andrew Bell

RNLI Asks: 'Put your Best Foot Forward this May and Help Keep People Safe this Summer'

30th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the RNLI is putting out its own Mayday call ahead of May Day (tomorrow, Monday, 1 May) as it prepares to face another busy summer. Usually, it is the RNLI’s volunteer…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier on the callout to a grounded fishing lakeboat on Friday 28 April

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Two on Fishing Vessel Aground at Castlelough

30th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Friday afternoon (28 April), Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch following a report from a member of the public that a vessel was aground at Castlelough below Parker’s Point. The inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched at…

Baltimore RNLI lifeboat- The seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat for the medical evacuation from Cape Clear were Coxswain Pat Collins, Mechanic Jerry Smith and crew members Eoin Ryan, Paul Synott, Emma Lupton, Emma Geary and Kieran Collins

Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat Provides Second Medical Evacuation from Irish Island Within a Week

26th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation yesterday evening (Tuesday 25 April) from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. Last week the crew performed a Medvac from Sherkin Island, as Afloat reported. The volunteer…

File image of Donaghadee RNLI’s all-weather relief lifeboat Macquarie

Donaghadee Lifeboat Aids Yacht In Difficulty Off Co Down Coast

25th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Donaghadee RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were paged on Monday (24 April) to assist a 10-metre yacht with three crew members onboard that was in difficulty off the Co Down coast in Northern Ireland. Around 8.10pm on Monday evening, the crew were…

Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat Crew will include Hugh O'Sullivan, Peter Grogan, Oscar Stafford, Adam Sweeney and Luka Sweeney who aim to climb both the Comeragh and Knockmealdown mountains, ascending a vertical mile over the course of the Mayday Mile fundraising challenge

Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat Crew to Conquer Vertical Mayday Mile

25th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI's courageous volunteer crew members in County Waterford will take on the daunting challenge of climbing a vertical mile in a single day, on Sunday, 7 May, as part of the charity's Mayday Mile fundraising challenge. The dedicated…

The stricken yacht being towed into Dunmore East Harbour by the all-weather lifeboat on Thursday 20 April

Dunmore East Lifeboat Assists Lone Sailor Stranded at Sea

24th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Dunmore East RNLI successfully assisted a lone sailor after they got into difficulty on their 30ft yacht outside the Co Waterford town’s harbour last Thursday (20 April). The lifeboat crew was called into action just after 8pm on Thursday night by…

Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Involved in Rescue of Woman Who Fell Onto Rocks at Grey Point

24th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Bangor RNLI was involved in the rescue of a woman who fell onto rocks when out for a walk yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23 April). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 3.49 pm following a request…

Clifden RNLI mechanic Joe Acton and Coxswian James Mullen pour champagne on the lifeboat

Clifden RNLI’s All-weather Shannon Class Lifeboat Officially Named St Christopher in Memory of Donor

23rd April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A special ceremony and service of dedication was held yesterday (Saturday, 22 April) at Clifden RNLI, when the Connemara lifeboat station’s new all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, St Christopher, was officially named. The lifeboat, which went on service in May last…

The Bangor Marina Nautical Car Boot Sale drew a great crowd despite the rain!

Bangor Marina’s First-Ever Nautical Car Boot Sale Raises Money for RNLI

23rd April 2023 Northern Ireland Waters

Despite a dreary, dull wet, windy morning, Bangor Marina’s first-ever Nautical Car Boot Sale was a huge success, and it raised £150 for Bangor RNLI. A section of the Marina car park was filled with cars, tables, and even a…

Conditions in Baltimore harbour during the RNLI call out were choppy with a south easterly force 4-5 wind

Medical Evacuation from Sherkin Island Completed by Baltimore RNLI

21st April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation yesterday evening (Thursday, 20 April) from Sherkin Island off Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.20 pm, following a request from the Irish Coast…

Olivia Byrne and Prof Dara Byrne with Galway RNLI staff and volunteers and members of the University of Galway Clinical Simulation and Interprofessional Education Facility (from left): Ian Claxton, Helena Duggan, Mike Smith, Sean McLoughlin, Philip Parakal Augusthinose, David McGrath, Mike Cummins, lifeboat operations manager Mike Swan, Dr Dan Murphy and James Rattigan

University Team Visit Galway RNLI to See First-Hand How Clinical Simulation Enhances Casualty Care

18th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew welcomed Prof Dara Byrne, Philip Parakal Augusthinose and Mike Smith to the station last Thursday (13 April) to see first-hand how the RNLI station operates and how clinical simulation can enhance casualty care and first…

Brian Fowley and Chris Fox of Bundoran RNLI

Donegal Lifeboat Crews Aim to Complete ‘Mayday Mile’ on Errigal

17th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteers from the three Donegal-based RNLI lifeboat stations at Bundoran, Lough Swilly and Arranmore will climb the highest mountain in the county, Errigal, as part of the charity’s Mayday fundraising campaign. Six crew — two from each station — will…

Portrush RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat The Ken Blair and crew

Portrush RNLI Names Inshore Lifeboat ‘The Ken Blair’ at Harbour Ceremony

16th April 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI hosted a special ceremony on Saturday (15 April) at the harbour when their new D class lifeboat was officially named The Ken Blair by Sylvia Blair. The lifeboat, funded by Sylvia in memory of her late husband, arrived…

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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