RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Brendan Copeland has retired after 31 years service at Wicklow RNLI

End of an Era at Wicklow RNLI as Station Mechanic Brendan Copeland Retires

2nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

This week marks the end of an era at Wicklow RNLI as long-serving crew member and station mechanic Brendan Copeland officially retires from saving lives at sea. Brendan’s last day started with a trip to Dun Laoghaire Harbour to bring…

Aran Islands RNLI’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Margaret, Joan and Fred NYE

Medevac From Inis Meain Marks Aran Islands Lifeboat’s Third Call of the Week

2nd June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Following their two callouts on Monday, the volunteer lifeboat crew of Aran Islands RNLI were tasked again on Tuesday evening (31 May) to a woman in need of medical attention. The Severn class all-weather lifeboat launched under coxswain in charge…

Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and jetski

Agencies Make Joint Water Safety Appeal Ahead of June Bank Holiday Weekend

2nd June 2022 Water Safety

As the June bank holiday approaches, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued another joint water safety appeal — this time for the many thousands of people expected to take advantage of the break this weekend…

The RNLI Coxswains involved in the Lilly B Ship rescue

Coxswains from Dunmore East, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Castletownbere RNLI Presented with Gallantry Awards

1st June 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Coxswains from Dunmore East, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Castletownbere RNLI have been presented with gallantry awards by His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Kent, in recognition of their lifesaving roles in rescues off the coast of Wexford and…

Fenit RNLI’s new D class lifeboat, Lizzie

Crowds Come Out for Naming of New Fenit Lifeboat in Memory of Popular Actress

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Crowds turned out in the sunshine to see Fenit RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat officially named Lizzie this past weekend (Sunday 29 May). As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the new lifeboat is being named after Liz Fraser, a Southwark-born actress well-known…

Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Aran Islands Lifeboat Responds to Two Callouts on Monday

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteer crew were twice requested to launch on Monday (30 May). The first callout came from the Irish Coast Guard at 2pm following a report of a small inflatable boat broken down off Doolin. The volunteer crew…

Steve Smyth, helm at Lough Derg RNLI (left) with Mark Mitchell, RNLI Assessor

Lough Derg RNLI Volunteer Steve Smyth Becomes Inshore Lifeboat Helm

31st May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

A volunteer crew member at Lough Derg RNLI has successfully passed out as a helm on the station’s inshore lifeboat. Following an assessment in theory onshore and an extensive assessment on the water, Steve Smyth was recently passed out as…

Wicklow Lifeboat Launches to Assist Two Men on Vessel Drifting Close to Rocks

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched just after 9.55am on Sunday morning (29 May) to reports of a motorboat with two onboard that was in difficulties south of Wicklow Harbour. Three minutes later the lifeboat was on scene, where the motorboat’s…

Lifeboats Come to Aid of Seven People and a Dog After Tall Ship Runs Aground in Carlingford Lough

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

RNLI crews from Kilkeel in Co Down and Clogherhead in Co Louth launched to the aid of seven people and a dog last week after their 80ft tall ship ran aground in Carlingford Lough. The lifeboat volunteers launched their inshore…

Busy Weekend for Portaferry Lifeboat on Strangford Lough

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of four people across three callouts on Strangford Lough over the weekend for the Northern Ireland volunteer lifeboat crew. The first call came just after 1am on Saturday morning (28 May) when a spoken-word…

His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Kent with all recipients and Deputy Chairs at the President's Lunch on May 27th

HRH The Duke of Kent Presents Gallantry Award for Portrush RNLI Lifesaving Rescue

30th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

A lifeboat mechanic from Portrush RNLI was invited to join His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Kent at St James’s Palace last week (Friday 27 May) to be presented with a Vellum from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)…

Wicklow RNLI Launch to Assist Vessel Drifting Close to Rocks

29th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat launched just after 09:55 am this morning (Sunday 29 May) to reports of a motorboat in difficulties south of Wicklow harbour. The lifeboat proceeded south and was on scene three minutes later. The owner could be…

Courtown RNLI’s Inshore D Class Lifeboat Officially Named 'Frank' in Memory of a Beloved Husband

29th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

At a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held on Saturday 28 May, Courtown RNLI officially named its inshore D class lifeboat, Frank. As Afloat reported previously, the honour of handing over the lifeboat and officially naming her went…

Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat responding to the cruiser in distress on Thursday 26 May

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Lone Skipper on Stricken Cruiser

27th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

On Thursday afternoon (26 May) Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch to assist a lone skipper on a 30ft cruiser with engine failure. The vessel was reported to be adrift south of Marker E at the Goat…

Skerries RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

Exhausted Paddle Boarder Rescued Off Skerries

27th May 2022 Rescue

Skerries RNLI were tasked Wednesday morning (25 May) by Dublin Coast Guard following 999 calls reporting a paddle boarder in distress in the water off Bettystown beach. Shortly before 11.30am the volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat…

Frank - the name of the new inshore D class lifeboat for Courtown RNLI

Courtown RNLI to Name Inshore D Class Lifeboat 'Frank' in Memory of a Beloved Husband

27th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats

An inshore D class lifeboat for Courtown RNLI is to be officially named Frank during a ceremony at the lifeboat station in the Wexford town at 3pm tomorrow, Saturday 28 May. The lifeboat which went on service in January 2020…

Start
Prev
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Next
End

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