Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: RNLI lifeboat

#NEWS UPDATE - A fisherman whose body was found in a Scottish harbour on St Stephen's Day has been identified as that of a 34-year-old Donegal man, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Philip Anthony Toland, from Glengad in Inishowen, Co Donegal, was last seen on Christmas Day near the pier at Ullapool harbour in the Scottish Highlands.

As BBC News reports, concerns were raised later that evening and a search was launched involving police, coastguard and RNLI lifeboat teams.

The body was located by a police dive team in the sea near the pier when the search resumed on Monday morning.

It is being speculated that Toland - who has an eight-year-old son - may have slipped and fallen into the water while returning to his boat.

Published in News Update
The 30-strong crew of Llandudno RNLI are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their branch's founding.
"We are very proud to have reached this milestone," spokesman Alan Sharp told the Daily Post.
Since 1861 the Llandudno lifeboat has saved 550 lives from the Irish Sea off the coast of north Wales - many of them close to the town's renowned promenade.
The Daily Post has more on this story HERE.

The 30-strong crew of Llandudno RNLI are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their branch's founding.

"We are very proud to have reached this milestone," spokesman Alan Sharp told the Daily Post.

Since 1861 the Llandudno lifeboat has saved 550 lives from the Irish Sea off the coast of north Wales - many of them close to the town's renowned promenade.

The Daily Post has more on this story HERE.

Related Safety posts

RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland


Safety News


Rescue News from RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland


Coast Guard News from Ireland


Water Safety News from Ireland

Marine Casualty Investigation Board News

Marine Warnings

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
The Portaferry RNLI lifeboat was involved in the rescue of four men from a fishing boat that ran aground off the coast last Monday evening, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
The lifeboat aling with the Portaferry and Newcastle Coastguard and and Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Dublin responded to a distress call from a 60ft trawler that ran into difficulties close to Ardglass harbour.
All four men on board were rescued and treated by paramedics on scene, and the vessel was later refloated.

The Portaferry RNLI lifeboat was involved in the rescue of four men from a fishing boat that ran aground off the coast last Monday evening, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

The lifeboat along with the Portaferry and Newcastle Coastguard and and Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Dublin responded to a distress call from a 60ft trawler that ran into difficulties close to Ardglass harbour.

All four men on board were rescued and treated by paramedics on scene, and the vessel was later refloated.

Related Safety posts

RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland


Safety News


Rescue News from RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland


Coast Guard News from Ireland


Water Safety News from Ireland

Marine Casualty Investigation Board News

Marine Warnings

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched this afternoon to a 40–foot pleasure craft which has a foulded propeller, a mile east of Ballycotton lighthouse in East Cork. They are on scene at present (15:14) and are attempting to free the propellor. Update to follow.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
Ballycotton lifeboat station received a request for assistance to a 31 ft. yacht with a fouled propeller 4 miles east of Ballycotton. The yacht, with two persons aboard, had left Crosshaven earlier when a rope wrapped around its propeller south of Knockadoon, East Cork.  On arrival at the casualty a lifeboat crewmember was placed on board and attempts were made to free the rope. With the successful completion of this exercise the yacht continued it journey and Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat returned to station.
Published in RNLI Lifeboats

 

An Garda Siochana received a call from a concerned woman who had observed a yacht struggling with its sail. She was unsure but was afraid that they may be having difficulties and in need of assistance. The Gardai contacted Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station and 23:30 the Ballycotton lifeboat launched to investigate the report.  After a short search they returned to harbour having satisfied themselves that all was in order.

A few hours later, at 04:10, they launched again. This time it was to a 44 ft fishing vessel with propeller problems 37 miles south east of Ballycotton.  They are due to be with the casualty at 06:00 when a tow will be commenced. Conditions at sea are fresh and it will take approximately 6 hours to tow the vessel to harbour.

More to follow in due course.

 

 

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Courtown volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew and their supporters gathered today (Saturday 24 April 2010) to officially name their new IB1 lifeboat Cairde an Chuain. The name means Friends of the Harbour and was chosen in memory of Courtown lifeboat crew who have passed away.

 
The lifeboat and was made possible through a community appeal, which raised over €48,000 for the provision of the lifeboat and crew training.   Members of Seafield Golf and Country Club selected the RNLI Courtown appeal as their chosen charity for a year and raised thousands of euro towards the cost of the new lifeboat. 

 
Chairman of the RNLI Irish Council and Trustee for the charity, John Coyle underlined the importance of the lifeboat to Courtown, “ Every year sees an influx of visitors to this place, many of whom are drawn to the beautiful beaches and the great hospitality of the locals. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of lifeboat volunteers on hand day or night to help those who find themselves in difficulty at sea.  I wish Courtown lifeboat crew many successful launches and safe returns.”

 
Sam Kennedy, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager added, "We are extremely grateful to everyone who gave so generously to our appeal.  This improved D class lifeboat will allow our volunteer crews to respond more quickly in emergencies and may well make the difference between life and death for someone in trouble on the water.”

 
Representatives from six families of crewmembers who have passed away officially named the lifeboat. Eileen O’Byrne, Eileen Redmond, James Sinnott, Linda Hurney, Mona Sheehan and John Redmond helped pour champagne over the bow of the lifeboat before it was launched into the sea and cheered on by the crowd. 

 
Cairde an Chuain D711 has replaced D548 Star of the Sea.  The previous lifeboat came into service in 1999 and was retired in August 2009.  The new lifeboat is five metres in length and can take three crew onboard.  It has a range of three hours at maximum speed of 25 knots. 

 

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
Tagged under

A man has been rescued from the River Tweed after falling from a ladder whilst boarding his angling boat. Lynda Bell, watch officer at Humber Coastguard says:


 We received a 999 call at 11.40 this morning reporting that the man had fallen in the water and asking for assistance. The caller had heard the man shouting for help and we could still hear him shouting for help in the background as the 999 call was made.


 “We requested the Berwick RNLI inshore lifeboat to launch and it was soon on scene picking the man up from the water.


"The 69 year old, who is from the Berwick area, was wearing a lifejacket so this meant that we were able to recover him from the water very quickly.  He also did exactly the right thing by shouting for help as soon as he entered the water. After a quick check over by ambulance paramedics he was allowed home.


“This incident shows just how crucial a lifejacket can be.  It can mean the difference between a swift and simple rescue or a protracted search with a possible fatal outcome.  Please remember to wear your lifejacket.  It’s useless unless worn.”

Published in Rescue

Courtown RNLI will hold an official naming and dedication ceremony for its new D-Class Lifeboat on Saturday 24 April 2010. The ceremony will take place at 2pm on the north pier in Courtown Harbour where the lifeboat will be officially named Cairde an Chuain (Harbour Friends).


The Courtown volunteer lifeboat crew and committee are issuing an invitation for everyone to join them for the ceremony. The new D-Class Lifeboat will have the number D711 and will be named Cairde an Chuain as a dedication to those volunteers of Courtown RNLI who have passed away.


Cairde an Chuain has replaced D548 Star of the Sea that came into service in 1999 and retired from service in August 2009. The funding for the new lifeboat was raised locally through various fundraisers and voluntary donations. The new inshore lifeboat costs €32,000 and is a significant investment in life saving. 


Courtown Lifeboat Operations Manager Sam Kennedy said, “ Everyone with Courtown RNLI is looking forward to this important event.  We hope that all our friends and supporters can join us on the day. A lifeboat naming ceremony is always a meaningful and memorable community event in the history of a lifeboat station.  I know this new lifeboat will go on many successful callouts for years to come.”

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
Tagged under

A 45ft wooden charter schooner went aground late yesterday afternoon in Roaring Water Bay, West Cork reports Sheela Broderick of Baltimore Lifeboat There were 3 men, 3 women and a young girl of preschool age on board at the time. The tide was falling so assistance was immediately required.

At 17:44, the Baltimore inshore lifeboat Bessie, was tasked to go to the assistance of the stricken vessel. Bessie is a twin-outboard Rigid Inflatable Boat that is capable of a top speed of 32 knots.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene, Helm,Micheal Cottrell, assessed the situation. The yacht was stuck fast on a rock on the North East corner of the East Skeam Island. A tow was passed to the schooner. Initially the inshore lifeboat attempted to pull the yacht off the rocks directly from behind, but the she did not budge. The vessel was listing 10 degrees on the rock, so it was decided to try a tow applied at right angles and this strategy proved successful in shifting the yacht from its perch.

The crew of the lifeboat then took 2 women and the little girl aboard as the journey time back to the yacht moorings at Sherkin Island was considerable. The lifeboat took the women and the little girl to Sherkin Island. The yacht was able to make her own way back to Sherkin with the rest of the passengers.

Lifeboat Crew: Helm - Micheal Cottrell, Ronan Callanan and Paul O’Driscoll.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
Tagged under
Page 2 of 3

RORC Fastnet Race

This race is both a blue riband international yachting fixture and a biennial offshore pilgrimage that attracts crews from all walks of life:- from aspiring sailors to professional crews; all ages and all professions. Some are racing for charity, others for a personal challenge.

For the world's top professional sailors, it is a 'must-do' race. For some, it will be their first-ever race, and for others, something they have competed in for over 50 years! The race attracts the most diverse fleet of yachts, from beautiful classic yachts to some of the fastest racing machines on the planet – and everything in between.

The testing course passes eight famous landmarks along the route: The Needles, Portland Bill, Start Point, the Lizard, Land’s End, the Fastnet Rock, Bishop’s Rock off the Scillies and Plymouth breakwater (now Cherbourg for 2021 and 2023). After the start in Cowes, the fleet heads westward down The Solent, before exiting into the English Channel at Hurst Castle. The finish for 2021 is in Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock, off the southern tip of Ireland.

  • The leg across the Celtic Sea to (and from) the Fastnet Rock is known to be unpredictable and challenging. The competitors are exposed to fast-moving Atlantic weather systems and the fleet often encounter tough conditions
  • Flawless decision-making, determination and total commitment are the essential requirements. Crews have to manage and anticipate the changing tidal and meteorological conditions imposed by the complex course
  • The symbol of the race is the Fastnet Rock, located off the southern coast of Ireland. Also known as the Teardrop of Ireland, the Rock marks an evocative turning point in the challenging race
  • Once sailors reach the Fastnet Rock, they are well over halfway to the finish in Cherbourg.

Fastnet Race - FAQs

The 49th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, UK on Sunday 8th August 2021.

The next two editions of the race in 2021 and 2023 will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at the head of the Normandy peninsula, France

Over 300. A record fleet is once again anticipated for the world's largest offshore yacht race.

The international fleet attracts both enthusiastic amateur, the seasoned offshore racer, as well as out-and-out professionals from all corners of the world.

Boats of all shapes, sizes and age take part in this historic race, from 9m-34m (30-110ft) – and everything in between.

The Fastnet Race multihull course record is: 1 day 4 hours 2 minutes and 26 seconds (2019, Ultim Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier)

The Fastnet Race monohull course record is: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing).

David and Peter Askew's American VO70 Wizard won the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race, claiming the Fastnet Challenge Cup for 1st in IRC Overall.

Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001.

The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

The winner of the first Fastnet Race was the former pilot cutter Jolie Brise, a boat that is still sailing today.

Cork sailor Henry P F Donegan (1870-1940), who gave his total support for the Fastnet Race from its inception in 1925 and competed in the inaugural race in his 43ft cutter Gull from Cork.

Ireland has won the Fastnet Race twice. In 1987 the Dubois 40 Irish Independent won the Fastnet Race overall for the first time and then in 2007 – all of twenty years after Irish Independent’s win – Ireland secured the overall win again this time thanks to Ger O’Rourke’s Cookson 50 Chieftain from the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland in Kilrush.

©Afloat 2020

Fastnet Race 2023 Date

The 2023 50th Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Saturday, 22nd July 2023

.

At A Glance – Fastnet Race

  • The world's largest offshore yacht race
  • The biennial race is 695 nautical miles - Cowes, Fastnet Rock, Cherbourg
  • A fleet of over 400 yachts regularly will take part
  • The international fleet is made up of over 26 countries
  • Multihull course record: 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes (2011, Banque Populaire V)
  • Monohull course record: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi)
  • Largest IRC Rated boat is the 100ft (30.48m) Scallywag 100 (HKG)
  • Some of the Smallest boats in the fleet are 30 footers
  • Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001
  • The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

Featured Sailing School

INSS sidebutton

Featured Clubs

dbsc mainbutton
Howth Yacht Club
Kinsale Yacht Club
National Yacht Club
Royal Cork Yacht Club
Royal Irish Yacht club
Royal Saint George Yacht Club

Featured Brokers

leinster sidebutton

Featured Webcams

Featured Associations

ISA sidebutton
ICRA
isora sidebutton

Featured Marinas

dlmarina sidebutton

Featured Chandleries

CHMarine Afloat logo
https://afloat.ie/resources/marine-industry-news/viking-marine

Featured Sailmakers

northsails sidebutton
uksails sidebutton
watson sidebutton

Featured Blogs

W M Nixon - Sailing on Saturday
podcast sidebutton
BSB sidebutton
wavelengths sidebutton
 

Please show your support for Afloat by donating