RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Wicklow RNLI All Weather Lifeboat arriving back into Wicklow harbour following the callout

Wicklow RNLI & Arklow RNLI Involved in Multi-Agency Search for Surfer

11th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI lifeboats from Wicklow and Arklow were involved in a multi-agency search for a missing surfer at Magheramore beach on Friday morning (10 March). Wicklow RNLI and Arklow RNLI were tasked to search for a missing surfer south of Wicklow…

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Helm Chosen as Finalist for First Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Award

10th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A Sligo Bay RNLI helm has been celebrated as a finalist for the inaugural Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Award, hosted by the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network (IPERN). Eithne Davis was nominated for the award by her lifeboat station team…

Fethard Lifeboat Team in Search of New Volunteers as Station Prepares to Host Open Day

10th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Fethard RNLI in Co Wexford is in search of new people to join its volunteer team in a variety of lifesaving roles. The station will host an open day over St Patrick’s weekend from 11am-1pm next Saturday morning (18 March)…

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Gets Call Out for Broken Down Speedboat During Training Exercise

6th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Sunday, 05 March, Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat volunteers were called out on service during their training exercise. The crew were completing their Sunday morning training exercise onboard the recently received relief lifeboat Macquarie when they were contacted by His Majesty's…

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI crew pictured left to right: Hazel Rea, Moselle Hogan, and Helm Laura Jackson

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Marks International Women’s Day

6th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

For generations, women have saved lives, launched lifeboats, and raised millions for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). At Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI, seven women are continuing this lifesaving legacy. As an example of women saving lives, last July an…

Members of the Portrush RNLI crew with their awards on Friday evening 3 March

Portrush RNLI Crew Members Thanked for Their Role in Saving Teenager’s Life in 2020

5th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI held a special ceremony on Friday 3 March to celebrate its crew members who were recently recognised by the charity for their role in saving the life of a teenager in 2020. RNLI gallantry awards are given for…

Some of the women volunteers at Clogherhead RNLI who are celebrating International Women’s Day

RNLI Crews in Clogherhead and Dunmore East Celebrate Lifesaving Role of Women Volunteers

4th March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

For generations, women have saved lives, launched lifeboats and raised millions for the RNLI. At Clogherhead and Dunmore East RNLI, among many others, women are continuing this lifesaving legacy. In Clogherhead, Co Louth, as far back as March 1904 —…

Baltimore all-weather lifeboat provided a medical evacuation from Cape Clear Island

Baltimore RNLI Provides a Medical Evacuation from Cape Clear Island

2nd March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI lifeboat was called out to provide a medical evacuation earlier this morning from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.30 am, following a request from the…

Carrybridge and Enniskillen RNLI receive donation from CrossFit Enniskillen. From left: Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge; Gary Wilson, owner of CrossFit Enniskillen; Peter Scott from the Lough Erne Fundraising Branch; Garvan Duffy, Carrybridge RNLI crew; and Paul Keown, Enniskillen RNLI crew

Carrybridge and Enniskillen RNLI Receive Donation From Local CrossFit Club

1st March 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Carrybridge and Enniskillen RNLI were delighted to receive a donation of £1,625 from CrossFit Enniskillen following an eighth anniversary charity workout at their gym. Over 60 members took part in the event on Saturday 4 February, including one of the…

Caroline Gibson is secretary of the Dun Laoghaire RNLI fundraising branch

New Volunteers Needed to Join RNLI’s Fundraising Crews Throughout Ireland to Help Save Lives at Sea

27th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Like their counterparts in Northern Ireland, RNLI lifeboat teams across Ireland are looking for new fundraising volunteers to join their lifesaving crews. In Dublin, Caroline Gibson is the secretary of the Dun Laoghaire RNLI fundraising branch, having first got involved…

RNLI Calls on New Volunteers to Join its Fundraising Crew in Co Down and Help Save Lives at Sea

27th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The RNLI is looking for new volunteers to join its lifesaving crew across Co Down at its branches in Kilkeel, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Portaferry, Donaghadee and Bangor. Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew.…

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat going to assist the fishermen who were located five miles east of Wicklow Head

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Bring Three Fishermen to Safety

22nd February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Three fishermen were brought to safety by Wicklow RNLI on Tuesday evening (21 February) after their vessel developed mechanical problems seven miles south of Wicklow port. The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings at 5.20 pm…

Image from Lough Derg RNLI Lap the Lake 2023 poster

Call for Cyclists to ‘Lap the Lake’ in Aid of Lough Derg RNLI This May

19th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Cyclists will once again ‘Lap the Lake’ to raise funds for Lough Derg RNLI on Saturday, 6 May. Following on from last year’s successful event, in the 2023 edition participants can choose between a full 120km circuit of Lough Derg…

Catherine Gleeson, retiring deputy launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI with her parting gift of an oil painting by Tipperary artist Áine Quinlan

Lough Derg RNLI Thank Catherine Gleeson Retiring as Deputy Launching Authority

18th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI’s volunteers have thanked Catherine Gleeson who is retiring after five years as the station’s deputy launching authority. Following their February monthly meeting recently, volunteers at Lough Derg held a party for Catherine, a lawyer by profession, who…

Ballycotton RNLI Rescues Six People on Fishing Boat with Ghost Net Wrapped Around Propeller

16th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

An 18 metre fishing boat that suffered propeller failure 27 miles south of Ballycotton yesterday (Wednesday, 15 February) was brought to safety by a lifeboat crew from Ballycotton RNLI. Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat The Douglas Aikman Smith was requested to launch…

Excellence in Volunteering Award Paddy McLaughlin, RNLI Trustee (left) and Stephen Wynne, RNLI volunteer

RNLI Present Excellence in Volunteering Award to Stephen Wynne of Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat

14th February 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The Council of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution recorded their sincere thanks to volunteer Stephen Wynne of Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station in recognition of his dedicated commitment to the RNLI since 1975 at a ceremony held last night…

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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