RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Dun Laoghaire's newest lifeboat, the D class Joval. The D-class lifeboat is the smallest in the RNLI fleet, but it saves the most lives

Dun Laoghaire RNLI Names New Lifeboat 'Joval' in Memory of Devoted English Couple who Retired to Offaly

12th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s new D-class lifeboat was named Joval in a ceremony held on Sunday (12 June) at the bandstand on the town's East Pier. The unusual name comes from a request by the late donor, Mrs. Valerie Staunton, that an…

Denise Lynch, Ireland's first RNLI lifeboat coxswain in Fenit, County Kerry

RNLI Can Do More to Welcome Women - New RNLI Head of Ireland Anna Classon

12th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

New RNLI Ireland region leader Anna Classon has said she believes there is an awful lot more the organisation can do make it more welcoming for women. As The Irish Independent reports, Classon and her newly appointed counterpart in RNLI…

Skerries RNLI recovering a paddler-less kayak in the waters off Bettystown beach on Friday 10 June

Lifeboats From Skerries and Clogherhead Respond to Report of Children Adrift on Inflatable

12th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Volunteers at Skerries RNLI raced into action on Friday afternoon (10 June) around 1pm following a 999 call reporting two children being blown out to sea on an inflatable from Bettystown beach. The crew encountered heavy squalls heading north to…

Lough Ree RNLI officially opened its new state-of-the-art lifeboat station and named its inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, Tara Scougall, in memory of a beloved, daughter, wife and mother. The event coincided with Lough Ree RNLI’s tenth anniversary on the lake

Lough Ree RNLI’s New Lifeboat Station Officially Opened and Atlantic 85 Class Lifeboat Named Tara Scougall

11th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held today (Saturday 11 June), Lough Ree RNLI officially opened its new state-of-the-art lifeboat station and named its inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, Tara Scougall, in memory of a beloved, daughter,…

Arklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr

Arklow Lifeboat Launches to Assist Fishers as Vessel Loses Propulsion

10th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Arklow RNLI launched yesterday morning (9 June) at around 6.30am to a request to assist two people on a fishing vessel which had lost propulsion north of the Co Wicklow town. The volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat…

Peel RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat at Portaferry on Wednesday 8 June

Portaferry and Peel Lifeboats Rescue Kayaker in Difficulty in Irish Sea

10th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry and Peel RNLI came to the aid of a kayaker who got into difficulty in the Irish Sea earlier this week. The man, who had been kayaking from the Isle of Man to Northern Ireland from early morning on…

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Assists Two Yachts in A Day – One French and One German

10th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat was launched yesterday, Thursday 09 June, to assist a French yacht which had run aground at Ballyferris Point, in County Down. The volunteer crew of Donaghadee Lifeboat were requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard yesterday at 11.56…

Portrush RNLI fundraising volunteer John Martin

Portrush RNLI Congratulates Fundraiser Becoming a Platinum Champion

10th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The teams at Portrush RNLI were delighted to hear that one of their fundraisers, John Martin, has been chosen as one of the 490 Platinum Champions due to his outstanding commitment to volunteering. The Platinum Champion Awards were launched by…

Skerries RNLI arriving on the scene at Rush Harbour

Skerries Lifeboat Crew Assist Injured Swimmer in Multi-Agency Rescue at Rush Harbour

8th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI were tasked on Bank Holiday Monday evening (6 June) by Dublin Coast Guard following 999 calls reporting an injured swimmer in Rush Harbour who was unable to get out of the water. Pagers sounded shortly before 5.30pm and…

Arklow Lifeboat Launches to Rescue of Two Kayakers

8th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Arklow RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were paged by the Irish Coast Guard on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (4 June) following a report of person in the water. The all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Ned Dillon with crew Geoff Kearnes, James Russell,…

Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, Leonard Kent, launching on Saturday morning 4 June

Newcastle Lifeboat Launches to Aid of Seasick RIB Passengers

7th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

In the first of two callouts on Saturday (4 June), Newcastle RNLI’s volunteer crew came to the aid of two people on a RIB some 12 miles offshore. Pagers sounded just after 7.10am on Saturday morning following a report that…

Portrush Lifeboat Launches to Yacht in Difficulty at Barmouth

6th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 11.10pm last night (Sunday 5 June) to reports of a 31ft yacht without power at the Barmouth near Coleraine. The all-weather lifeboat under coxswain Des Austin launched at 11.35pm into…

A file image of Baltimore All-Weather Lifeboat. A lifeboat station has been established at Baltimore for over 85 years. Over the years the crews have been presented with 15 awards for gallantry

Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat on Nine Hour Callout to Yacht in Difficulty with Four People onboard

6th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide assistance to a yacht with four people on board that got into difficulty 52 miles off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork, yesterday (Sunday 5 June). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer heads to Garrykennedy

Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches to Reports of Cruiser Aground

5th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were called to assist two people on a 36ft cruiser aground outside Garrykennedy’s old harbour wall on Saturday evening (4 June). At 7.15pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was ready to go with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Joe…

Clifden RNLI’s new all-weather lifeboat St Christopher

First Callout for Clifden RNLI’s New All-Weather ‘Launch a Memory’ Lifeboat

5th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI joined Aran Islands RNLI and the Shannon-based Rescue 115 helicopter to carry out a search of the waters around Bunowen Bay on Friday night (3 June). A member of the public reported seeing a…

A video grab from Wicklow RNLI lifeboat of the Coastguard's Rescue 116 helicopter winching a stranded swimmer to safety at Silver Strand

Wicklow RNLI Join Multi-Agency Search for Missing Swimmer at Silver Strand

4th June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched after 09:45 am this morning (Saturday 4 June), following reports of a missing swimmer at Silver Stand beach. The alarm was raised after the wife of the swimmer became concerned for his safety and…

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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