Lough Ree RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew have responded to four call outs in three days coming to the aid of 15 people.

Between 8am on Sunday last, 1 July and 2.20pm on yesterday, Tuesday 3 July, Lough Ree RNLI came to the aid of four children and 11 adults in separate call outs.

The first call out, on Sunday 1 July was to help two people whose boat had drifted onto one of the Yellow Islands to the south of Lough Ree. The couple had got into difficulty when trying to leave where they were anchored for the night. Conditions at the time were overcast with a breezy force 3-4 northerly wind. The lifeboat crew were able to remove the boat from the island, however after checking the boat when they were in deeper water it was apparent that the boat wasn’t able to continue under its own power. The crew brought the two people onboard and their boat to Athlone Marina.

On Monday, the lifeboat crew came to the assistance of eight people in two separate incidents when they had got into difficulty near the Hexagon Shoal on the eastern shore of Lough Ree near Killinure Point. Conditions on the lake on Monday were bright sunshine and a slight north easterly breeze.

The first call out was at 1pm to help four people - two adults and two children, onboard a boat that had got stuck on the Hexagon Shoal. The lifeboat crew were able to remove the boat from the shoal and the four onboard were able to continue on their way to Lecarrow to enjoy the rest of their holiday. The second call out was to two adults and two children onboard a speed boat that had lost power. The lifeboat crew on this occasion brought the four people and the boat to Quigleys Marina beside Coosan Point.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Lough Ree RNLI was alerted by a member of the public to a boat in difficulty near Hudson Bay on the western shore of Lough Ree. When the volunteers arrived on scene the boat was at anchor and the five people onboard had arranged assistance from a friend and while grateful to the crew for coming out, they did not require their help.

Speaking today, Sarah Bradbury, Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, said: ‘It’s great to see so many people, both locals and visitors, enjoying Lough Ree and all that it has to offer. As we continue to enjoy the dry weather, we’d like to remind people to respect the water and to let people know that water levels may be lower than usual and to keep to the main navigation channels where the water will be deeper.’

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI launched yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 3 July) shortly after 1.30pm after a motorboat with two on board called the coastguard via VHF radio to report they were taking on water near Rockabill Lighthouse.

The lifeboat was launched with volunteer Philip Ferguson at the helm and Emma Wilson and Joe May as crew, ensuring that they had loaded the salvage pump aboard.

They proceeded in the direction of Rockabill and quickly had the stricken boat in sight. Once on scene, they transferred the salvage pump and began pumping water from the boat as they continued to head towards Skerries Harbour.

Dublin’s Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 had also been tasked and was soon on scene and standing by.

There was a concern that the salvage pump being used may run out of fuel before the casualty reached Skerries. After communications with the helicopter, it was decided to transfer an additional pump.

The safest method of doing this in the prevailing conditions was to transfer the pump, along with a winchman, to Colt Island, where the lifeboat then picked it up and brought it to the casualty.

Once both pumps were operational, the lifeboat and helicopter escorted the vessel to the safety of Skerries Harbour. Skerries Coast Guard then secured the Red Island landing site for Rescue 116 to touch down and recover their winchman.

The incident came less than 24 hours after the Skerries lifeboat was tasked to a kayaker struggling to get back on board his craft.

Lifeguards on the South Beach in Rush alerted the coastguard on Monday afternoon (2 July) that a kayaker had entered the water and appeared to be having difficulty getting back on board. Skerries RNLI were tasked and the volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, with Joe May at the helm and crew Eoin Grimes and Sheila May.

As the lifeboat approached Rush beach, they liaised directly with lifeguards who were able to guide them directly to the casualty.

Just before the lifeboat arrived, the man had managed to get back on his kayak and had begun to make his way ashore. The lifeboat crew spoke to the man and he assured them that despite being tired, he was happy to make his own way ashore. He was met at the shoreline by the lifeguards who offered him assistance.

Speaking after both callouts, Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said they were “a great example of how well the different organisations work together. It’s also showed the difference it can make having the right equipment, and making the call for help as early as possible.”

#RNLI - Fethard RNLI was involved in the rescue of six people yesterday evening (Monday 2 July) after two young girls drifted out to sea on an inflatable lilo.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their D class lifeboat at 8.31pm after two local women raised the alarm that they could see an airbed with two girls drifting out to sea off Duncannon Beach. With the wind blowing offshore, the airbed was blowing directly out to sea.

Four men, one of whom was the children’s father, had entered the sea and swam towards the girls.

With time of the essence, RNLI deputy launching authority Hugh Burke launched his own boat, which was nearer Duncannon, and made his way to the scene along with another local vessel.

Once there, he observed a windsurfer had made his way to the girls. One girl was on the lilo, and one of the four men who had swam out to help was holding onto the windsurfer’s board.

Burke took the girl and the swimmer onboard and brought them safely back to shore. On arrival, he was met by a shore crew member from Fethard RNLI who alerted him that a man, the father of the two girls who had been taken out of the water by a local swimmer, was in need of serious medical attention on Duncannon Beach.

The father had reached the airbed and rescued one of the girls. However, as he was swimming the half-mile back to the beach with his daughter, he too got into difficulty, and both were dragged under water.

One of the other men took the girl, who had taken on a lot of water, and made it safely to shore. That swimmer returned to the water to help but he too then got into difficulty as exhaustion from his efforts set in.

Meanwhile, a strong local swimmer, who had seen the incident unfold from his home, immediately got involved and went to the aid of this man, brought him to shore before going back into the sea and rescuing the father of the two girls.

As this was happening, a kayaker went to the aid of another man who had entered the water to help and was drifting 100m away from the others and was struggling. The casualty held onto the kayak as the kayaker brought him ashore.

The Dunmore East Coast Guard unit, which was also tasked, arrived on the beach just before the father and daughter were brought ashore. With the arrival of the coastguard unit and the Fethard RNLI lifeboat crew, casualty care was immediately administered by both teams.

The man was treated for hypothermia and for drifting in and out of consciousness. The girl was treated for inhaling a considerable amount of water. Both responded immediately to casualty care and were looked after by all the volunteers on scene until the arrival of an ambulance. They were then transferred to hospital for further treatment.

Speaking following the callout, Burke said: “With thanks to a huge community effort this evening, a tragedy was averted and we would like to commend all those locally who played their part in bringing the six people to safety. We also want to wish everyone who got into difficulty a speedy recovery following their ordeal.

“Time was of the essence this evening and from the raising of the alarm, to the local efforts to get to the scene to help, right through to the administration of casualty care, fortunately it resulted in a good outcome for all.

“We would like to remind everyone of the importance of respecting the water. We would ask the public to remember that inflatables such as lilos are designed for pools and not the open sea where they can be easily swept out by offshore winds and lead you into difficulty.

“Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a mean of communication and should you get into difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

The rescue come days after Fethard RNLI officially named their new D class lifeboat Naomh Dubhán, which was funded entirely by the local community.

The volunteer lifeboat crew of Donaghadee RNLI were paged yesterday (2 July) at 1.51pm by Belfast Coastguard after reports that a 27ft yacht with two people onboard had run aground at the entrance to Ballywalter Harbour and was rapidly taking on water.

A local boat had made initial attempts to tow the yacht off the rocks but was unsuccessful.

The all-weather lifeboat Saxon under Coxswain Philip McNamara and five crew members onboard launched immediately and made full speed in slightly choppy conditions with a north easterly onshore wind force 2–3.

The lifeboat crew were on scene at 2.20pm and after assessing the situation, a decision was made to launch the Trent class lifeboat’s smaller inflatable daughter boat in order to access the area and remove the casualties and attach a towline to the stricken vessel.

A seven-year-old boy was assisted onboard the daughter boat by the volunteer crew members and taken to the safety on the lifeboat. The crew then returned to the yacht to secure a towline to the bow, as the yacht was deemed to be taking on too much water very quickly. The grandfather was then also moved to the safety of the lifeboat.

The yacht was towed into Ballywalter Harbour and a salvage water pump put onboard to try and reduce the water levels. However, this wasn’t effective due to the speed the water was being taken on. A local fishing boat proceeded to tow the boat further into the harbour where it could dry out and be assessed for damage.

The casualties were passed into the care of the Coastguard rescue team.

Speaking following the call out Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said: ‘Thankfully we were able to make it on time to assist this yacht and more importantly the people onboard, before the situation deteriorated any further. It is easy to underestimate how quickly a boat can take on water and leave the crew in a dangerous situation. We cannot stress enough the importance of requesting help at the earliest opportunity should you find yourself in difficulties of any kind while at sea. The Coastguard can be contacted via a VHF or from a mobile by dialling 999 or 112 and asking for the Coastguard.’

#RNLI - Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched yesterday (Sunday 1 July) to assist two people on an inflatable dinghy near Brittas Bay beach.

The father and son had set off from the popular tourist beach to fish in a small inflatable dinghy but were carried offshore south around Mizzen Head with the wind and tide, and were having difficulties rowing back to land.

Fortunately, the father managed to get the dinghy ashore on an inaccessible beach after much effort.

Onlookers and family members were unable to get down the cliff to help them, so they waited until the inshore lifeboat came ashore at 5.30pm and was able to pick up the stranded man and son.

They were transferred to the all-weather lifeboat a short time later and assessed by lifeboat first aider Carol Flahive.

The Dublin-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 was also tasked to the incident.

The two casualties were cold and shaken after their ordeal, but required no further medical assistance. They were landed safely back at Wicklow lifeboat station at 6.30pm and were picked up by relieved family members after having a hot drink.

Speaking following the callout, Wicklow RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said: “We would remind everyone planning an activity at sea to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. Always carry a means of calling or signalling for help.

“Check the weather and tide times before you go. Tell someone about your plans - where you intend to go and when you expect to return.”

#RNLI - Dun Laoghaire RNLI responded to a yacht with one man onboard on Saturday afternoon (30 June) when the skipper’s engine failed just outside Bray Head.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were called into action at 16.24pm following a report from the Irish Coast Guard.

The yacht was on passage from Arklow when engine trouble flared just outside Bray Head.

As the country is experiencing a heatwave, weather conditions were near perfect with clear blue skies and good visibility.

The lifeboat crew quickly arrived on scene and successfully towed the yacht and skipper, who was uninjured, safely back to Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Commenting after the callout, Dun Laoghaire RNLI coxswain Kieran Colley said: “The skipper of the vessel indeed made a good decision in calling for assistance. He was also wearing a lifejacket, which I’m always glad to see. I can’t stress enough how important it is to wear one.”

Later that same day, Lough Derg RNLI launched to assist a family of five on a 25ft cruiser with engine failure in Youghal Bay, off Garrykennedy on the eastern shore of Lough Derg.

Winds were northerly Force 1/2 and visibility was very good when the lifeboat launched at 6.47pm, arriving on scene just four minutes later.

The lifeboat crew — helm Eleanor Hooker, Dom Sharkey and Joe O’Donoghue — found the two adults and three children on board to be safe and unharmed, and wearing their lifejackets. The skipper of the cruiser had dropped anchor to prevent drift.

The cruiser had engine failure that required specialist attention and so the lifeboat volunteer took the casualty vessel under tow to Garrykennedy Harbour, where it was safely tied alongside at 7.13pm.

#RNLI - RNLI lifeguards and the inshore lifeboat crew from Portrush RNLI rescued a swimmer who got into difficulty off Portrush East Strand on Wednesday evening (27 June).

The lifeguards who patrol the Causeway Coast beaches daily between 11am and 7pm were finishing up for the day when a member of the public raised the alarm.

The male swimmer had been seen entering the water 300-400m west of the patrol zone, towards Whiterocks, when he got into difficulty and was struggling to stay afloat.

Lifeguards Josh McCaw, Albert Dallas, Marcus McKeag and Nicola McIlroy immediately ran with their boards up the beach in the direction of the casualty.

Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat helmed by Ben Wilson, was on exercise at the time when the crew spotted the lifeguards and immediately made their way to the scene.

The casualty was taken onboard the lifeboat and then transferred into the care of the lifeguards.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Karl O’Neill said the situation could have been different minutes later. “Firstly, we would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm when they spotted someone in difficulty and we would like to wish the swimmer well after his ordeal.

“We want to remind everyone that while our lifeguards are busy patrolling our beaches daily, it is important to remember and adhere to our key safety advice both in and outside the patrol time of 11am-7pm.

“We were fortunate yesterday evening to be still on the beach when this incident happened and thankfully it resulted in a good outcome.

“We want to encourage people that when you plan a trip to the beach to check weather and tide times before you go and if planning to go into the water, to swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags.

“We want everyone to enjoy this beautiful weather and to come to our beaches but we want everyone to do that with safety in mind knowing to always respect the water and to remain vigilant. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help and if you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Elsewhere, Valentia RNLI volunteers launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday afternoon (Thursday 28 June) to assist a 30ft motor cruiser with two people onboard, which had suffered mechanical failure.

At 2.37pm, Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI's all-weather lifeboat to launch to the cruiser one mile south of Skellig Rock Little, Co Kerry. Weather conditions at the time were described as good with clear visibility.

Arriving on scene, a volunteer crew member was transferred to the casualty vessel to assist with setting up a tow, and the cruiser was towed safely back into Knightstown Harbour.

Speaking following the callout, Valentia RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Michelle Curran said: “With this stunning weather more people are taking to the water, we urge everyone to respect the water, always carry a means for calling for help and ensure all onboard know how to use it.”

Donaghadee RNLI volunteer crew were paged three times over the weekend to assist a 24m fishing vessel which had run aground, a 31–ft yacht with three people onboard which had broken down and a small speedboat on the rocks at Millisle.

The first launch was requested by Belfast Coastguard on Saturday last (23 June) at 7.32pm following a 999 call by a member of the public reporting that a fishing vessel had run ashore on the north side of the ‘Perch’, located just of the Warren Road in Donaghadee.

Donaghadee RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Saxon was on scene to the fishing vessel within five minutes. After consultation with the crew of the fishing vessel, which had five people onboard, and establishing that the boat had no damage, the crew of the 14m Trent class lifeboat attached a towline to the stern of the fishing boat to attempt to pull it off the rocks. The towline was then moved to the bow of the boat in another attempt to remove her from the rocks. With the assistance of the casualty vessel dropping its trawl doors to the seabed to jettison some weight, using both their bow thrusters and main propulsion to assist, the vessel came free and the lifeboat was able to tow it to deep water. 

When the skipper of the fishing boat was satisfied that there was no obvious damage to the hull or propeller the towline was removed and retrieved and the vessel continued her passage south while the lifeboat returned to station. 

The second launch of the weekend for the volunteer crew was when their pagers were alerted at 3.02pm at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assist 30ft yacht which had broken down approximately four nautical miles east of Donaghadee Harbour with three men onboard. The inboard auxiliary engine had failed so the crew established a towline and a course was set for Donaghadee were the yacht was secured at the visitors' berth by 4pm. 

Five hours later at 8.03pm, the crew were paged again and requested to launch to assist a small speedboat with two people onboard on the rocks at Millisle. Launching the lifeboat at 8.10pm, Saxon proceeded at full speed to the scene as crew members readied the Trent class’s daughter boat to prepare to the need to get close to the shallow area where the casualty boat was stranded. As the lifeboat reached the area the Coastguard rescue team advised that a canoe in the vicinity had managed to tow the boat ashore and both the vessel and its crew were safe and well. 

Speaking following what was a busy weekend for Donaghadee RNLI, Peter Irwin, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘In the first call out of the weekend, our Coxswain and crew managed to refloat the fishing vessel just before high tide in difficult circumstances due to the restricted location of the grounding, size of the vessel and the direction the vessel was pointing. We were delighted to get her refloated relatively quickly and the intense training which the volunteer crew undertake regularly was of no doubt put into full practice. The further two calls on Sunday were more straightforward thankfully.

‘We would remind everyone going to sea and particularly as we approach the summer holidays and enjoy this good weather, to respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication and tell someone ashore where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into trouble dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Ballyglass RNLI has this afternoon (Monday 25 June) come to the aid of a lone sailor whose 10m yacht got into difficulty off the Mayo coast.  The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 12.37pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard.

The lifeboat under Coxswain James Mangan and with six crew onboard launched immediately and made its way to the scene some five miles north of Ballyglass Lighthouse.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with calm waters and the sun shining.

Once on scene, the crew observed that yacht had fouled its propeller. The sailor had entered the water in an attempt to free the propeller but was unsuccessful and called for assistance.

On arrival, the crew assessed that the sailor was safe and well before working to detangle the rope.

The lifeboat crew launched their smaller inflatable daughter Y boat to access the yacht and free the rope from the propeller. A towline was subsequently secured and the lifeboat brought the yacht safely back to Ballyglass Harbour.

Speaking following the call out, Ballyglass RNLI mechanic Allen Murray said: ‘As the summer holidays approach and we continue to enjoy a period of hot weather, we would like to remind everyone to enjoy it but also to respect the water.

‘Always wear a lifejacket and always carry a means of communication. Let someone ashore know when you are leaving, where you are going and when you are due back. Check the weather forecast and tide times. Learn how to start, run and maintain your engine and always carry tools and spares. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Howth RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat on Sunday 24rd June 2018 to reports of a sailing vessel with three people aboard that had lost steering and drifted onto rocks at the base of Howth Head.

A telephone call to Howth Yacht Club was made by the occupants of a sailing boat which had been travelling from Poolbeg Yacht Club to Howth to report that they had lost their rudder and were drifting towards the base of the cliffs close to the Bailey lighthouse. Howth Yacht Club alerted Howth RNLI which immediately paged the local RNLI volunteers and launched the inshore lifeboat within 10 minutes.

The inshore Lifeboat was crewed by Ian Martin (Helm), Joss Walsh and Killian O’Reilly. They quickly located the vessel at the base of the cliffs and after checking that the crew members aboard the yacht were all okay they proceeded to take the casualty vessel under tow to the safety of Howth Marina. The three people aboard the yacht were in good spirits and thanked the RNLI for their help. 

The wind was Force 3-4 southerly and the sea state was calm at the time 

Speaking following the call out, Ian Martin, Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat helm said: ‘We have to compliment the three people aboard the vessel for their quick action in calling for help when their boat experienced difficulties. We were delighted to be able to launch so quickly and assist and bring them back to Howth Marina. 

‘We remind everyone enjoying this good weather to always respect the water. Irish waters can be dangerously unpredictable. The main risks that catch people are cold water shock and rip currents and waves. Should you get into difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’