#lusitania – The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Lusitania Centenary Committee is appealing to anyone or any organisation that may have Lusitania artefacts, stories and memorabilia or know of any family members of those lost or saved in the tragedy to get in contact.

Next Wednesday 7 May, marks the 99th anniversary since the sinking of the Lusitania and Courtmacsherry RNLI's lifeboat will be visiting her resting place to lay a wreath to remember those lost.

The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner, launched in 1907 by the Cunard line, a holder of the Blue Riband and briefly the world's biggest ship. On 7 May 1915 on passage from New York, she was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat South of Courtmacsherry Bay, West Cork, Ireland with the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives.

Shortly after she was hit, Courtmacsherry RNLI's lifeboat, Ketzia Gwilt which was then stationed at Barry's Point under the command of Coxswain Timothy Keohane and his crew of 14 men, was requested to respond to reports of a large four funnel steamer in distress south east of the Seven Heads.
Courtmacsherry's lifeboat was launched, but in calm conditions without any wind, the sails were of no use so the entire distance of over 12 nautical miles to the casualty had to be rowed by the lifeboat crew.

Next year, to commemorate the centenary of the sinking, the crew of Courtmacsherry RNLI will perform a re-enactment of their call to service on that tragic day in 1915 and will row out to the site of the disaster in a restored original pulling and sailing lifeboat from 1900.

This commemoration event will be held during the May Bank holiday weekend and will be accompanied by a Lusitania exhibition in the lifeboat station and other related events at local venues.

Tadgh MacCarthy, Courtmacsherry RNLI second mechanic and committee member said: 'My ambition to join the lifeboat crew came at a very young age, shaped by the stories that my grandmother told me of watching the Lusitania sinking from the school yard in Butlerstown. As I grew older this enthusiasm also grew so eventually I followed in my grandfather and grand uncle's footsteps and joined the lifeboat crew to keep the tradition of providing help to those in need at sea.'

Dara Gannon from the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Lusitania Centenary Committee added: 'The loss of the Lusitania is a huge part of Courtmacsherry history and it's not long since some retired lifeboat crew from that day in 1915 were around to recall it. Every Courtmacsherry crew member today holds admiration for all the hardy crewmen of long ago that responded in the attempts to rescue life that tragic day and hope that this centenary commemoration not only makes people think of the loss of life but also the gallant efforts made to save it.'

Anyone with information, questions or contributions are asked to email [email protected] or contact the station at +353 23 8846600. If you would like to learn more about Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat's call to the sinking of the Lusitania, please visit our website at www.lusitaniacentenary.ie

#Lifeboat - The famous lifeboat Mary Stanford, which was saved from being scuttled earlier this year, has returned to her spiritual home in Ballycotton, as the Irish Examiner reports.

Afloat's Jehan Ashmore previously recounted the story of the Barnett-class lifeboat renowned for her role in the daring rescue of crew from the Daunt Rock lightship in 1936.

In recognition of that tremendous effort, the Mary Stanford became the first and only RNLI lifeboat ever to be awarded a hold medal for gallantry.

In more recent years, however, she lay abandoned all but forgotten at Dublin's Grand Canal Dock, next to the similarly neglected Naomh Eanna.

But some did not forget - and the efforts of campaigners have literally put her on a pedestal at the East Cork village's cliff walk, where she was unveiled last weekend.

Work is now getting underway to restore the classic lifeboat to her former glory. The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

#rnli – The Irish National Sailing School's (INSS) Sail-a-thon 2014 in aid of the RNLI is taking place this Saturday the 3rd of May. The first question readers of this may have is what is a sail-a-thon? Effectively, it's a sponsored sailing-marathon where participants raise money in aid of our chosen charity. The Sail-a-thon is an annual event at the Irish National Sailing School and since 2007 we have raised over €20,000 for Crumlin Children's Hospital. With this year's event falling on Saturday the 3rd of May, during the RNLI's MayDay Campaign we thought that the RNLI was the perfect charity to run the event is aid of. After all, it's the RNLI that all sailors depend upon in circumstances where things go wrong!

The Sail-a-thon will be on Saturday the 3rd of May and runs for 7 hours, for which participants from the Irish National Sailing School's Junior Club which sails throughout the school term on Saturday's will be taking part.

We are aiming to get over 100 junior club members out sailing in over 50 boats for over 7 hours (split into shifts) whilst enjoying non-stop races, regattas (15+ Group), and all out fun! At the end of this busy day all sailors can look forward to a celebratory BBQ in the INSS Clubhouse and a prize giving ceremony with dozens of prizes. All parents are invited to attend the BBQ and prize giving where we will be presenting a representative from Dun Laoghaire RNLI with a cheque for all funds raised!

So if you're on the water in Dun Laoghaire this Saturday make sure to pop over to the West Pier and say hello! The training area of the outer harbour will be home to our 15+ years age section who take part in their annual regatta as part of the Sail-a-thon. The 11-14 years age group will be sailing their highly decorated toppers, adorned with balloons and flags in the vicinity of the marina and outer harbour. Our 7-10 years age group will be heading up and down the West Pier, taking part in races, games and all out fun!

Collectors will be based on the West Pier, where donations can be made on the day, or alternatively those wishing to support Sail-a-thon 2014 in aid of the RNLI can make donations online at http://www.mycharity.ie/event/rnlisailathon2014/ .

#RNLI - Crew members from the training ship Astrid that sank on 24 July 2013 visited Kinsale RNLI lifeboat station to thank volunteer crew and support the RNLI’s Mayday campaign.

Some 30 young people were brought to safety by RNLI lifeboat Miss Sally Anne Baggy when the tall ship hit rocks between Oysterhaven and Kinsale.

Volunteer crew members Liam O’Connell, Nick Searls and Jim Grennan, who were on the Kinsale RNLI lifeboat on the day Astrid sank, were on hand to welcome the visitors and present them with iconic Yellow Welly key rings to mark the occasion.

Undeterred by their experience last summer, the youngsters were taking part on a training exercise on 70ft schooner Spirit of Oysterhaven, the flagship of The Oysterhaven Centre.

The Astrid rescue was just one of more than 40 rescue missions launched by Kinsale RNLI last year.

Voice of Ireland judge and former Westlife member Kian Egan has lent his support to the Mayday campaign which runs from this Thursday 1 till Monday 5 May, when the charity’s volunteers will be selling yellow welly pin badges and key rings for a €2 donation, in cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland.

And as previously reported on Afloat.ie, there will also be a number of welly-themed events held to raise funds for the lifesaving charity in Ireland. 

#rnli – A new radio documentary on CRY104fm entitled "Saving Lives At Sea" airs tomorrow night (Tuesday the 29th of April) at 7pm tracing the history of the Youghal RNLI as it celebrates 175 years in existence.

Beginning with one of Youghal Lifeboats most dramatic rescues on the 1st of August 1984, the programme will trace the History of the Lifeboat station right up to the present day.

In the programme we will hear from a large number of volunteers both past and present from Youghal RNLI who have regularly put their lives at risk to keep the waters of East Cork safe while looking at the changes that have taken place in both technology and in the Lifeboat station since 1839 and in particular since the 1970's when the changes in RNLI technology and capabilities have been vast.

In total Youghal's Lifeboats have been launched on over 340 occasions and have saved over 200 lives which in itself is a remarkable achievement for an organisation which is solely run by volunteers and is dependent on people's goodwill and generosity in order to survive financially and maintain a lifeboat service on our coastline.

The programme will celebrate the bravery and truly heroic actions of Youghal RNLI volunteers by retelling some of the stations most dangerous sea rescues while also examining how a tragedy brought a community together in grief but also highlighted the extraordinary dedication and selflessness of RNLI volunteers which brought comfort to two grieving families.

The programme will also look at the extended RNLI family from the partners and children that remain on shore while the volunteers embark on potentially dangerous rescues to the vitally important fundraising arm of the Youghal RNLI whose often unseen work ensures that the lifeboat service remains intact for the people of Youghal and the surrounding areas.

Above all in what will be compelling listening for all those with an association with the sea "Saving Lives At Sea" will highlight how vital the lifeboat service is to the Community of Youghal while raising awareness of the work this most deserving charity does.

More on www.cry104fm.com

#kianegan – Voice of Ireland judge and former Westlife member Kian Egan has teamed up with the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews to lend his support to their Mayday campaign. From Thursday 1 May until Monday 5 May the charity's volunteers will be selling yellow welly pin badges and key rings for a €2 donation, in cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland. There will also be a number of welly themed events held to raise funds for the lifesaving charity in Ireland.

The yellow welly was chosen to represent volunteer lifeboat crews for the Mayday campaign as it is an essential piece of RNLI crew kit. Waterproof with steel-capped toes, the specially designed boots keep the volunteer crew's feet warm and dry while also protecting them in dangerous conditions on deck. During gale force winds, rain and ice, keeping a sure footing can mean the difference between life and death for the volunteers.

Volunteer lifeboat crew have responded to the Mayday calls of those in trouble around Ireland's coastline for 190 years. These lifeboat crews that are on call every day, all year round, have spent an average of 137 hours at sea over Mayday weekends for the last 10 years. Many have full-time jobs and carry a pager with them at all times to alert them to a lifeboat callout.

Helping RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from Sligo launch Mayday, The Voice of Ireland judge and former Westlife member Kian Egan said: 'As someone who grew up in Sligo on the west coast of Ireland, I know how hard the members of the RNLI work, and how dedicated they are to a job that they carry out as volunteers. On call 24 hours a day and prepared to launch in all weathers, I have huge respect for these brave men and women who come from all walks of life. As a surfer and someone who spends a lot of my time in the sea, it is always reassuring to know that they are there if I ever need them.

Thanks to the generosity of the public, these volunteers are highly trained and equipped and can continue to offer their specialised skills. I would encourage everyone in Ireland to get involved with Mayday, and to show their support by buying a yellow welly key ring or pin badge or to hold a yellow welly themed fundraiser. We have a great love of the sea in Ireland and so many of us use it for fun or for work, and when we are out there the RNLI keep us safe, so go on, give it some welly from 1-5 May.'

The RNLI continues to invest in its volunteer lifeboat crews and in lifesaving on Irish waters. This year alone will see another station open, bringing the total number of the charity's lifeboat stations in Ireland to 45. It will be at Union Hall in Cork and will operate on a two year trial. There will also be an all weather lifeboat put on station at Clifden in Galway, where the lifeboat crew have almost completed their training for the new vessel. Helvick RNLI has also received a brand new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, which is due to be put on service soon. The Aran Island's RNLI lifeboat crew now board their lifeboat from a new pontoon, shaving precious minutes off their lifeboat launch times and next year will see the very first Shannon class lifeboat arrive in Ireland, to be placed on service at Lough Swilly in Donegal.

Pauline McGann, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager added: 'We are asking people to 'give it some welly' and get behind Mayday from 1-5 May. The RNLI is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year and during that time 144,000 lives have been saved by the charity. For some ideas on how to get involved and to see what is going on around the country people can visit www.rnli.org/MAYDAY People can also support the campaign by texting the word Mayday to 50300 to donate €2'*

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews from Ireland's 44 lifeboat stations launched 1,087 times, rescuing 1,278 people.

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI rescued three men last night (Thursday 24 April) after their 30-foot fishing vessel ran aground on rocks north of Balbriggan harbour in extremely poor visibility.

The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat shortly after 9pm with Rob Morgan as helm and crew members Emma Wilson, Stephen Crowley and Laura Boylan also on board.

The Dublin Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to launch after receiving of reports that a vessel had struck rocks north of Balbriggan harbour. The lifeboat proceeded directly to the area indicated.

Conditions on the night were calm with a force one southerly wind, though there was a thick sea fog in the area at the time and visibility was reduced to 1-2 metres.


Clogherhead RNLI's all-weather lifeboat also launched at 10pm after Skerries RNLI requested their assistance, given the possibility that a long and difficult search may have been necessary. Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 and the Skerries coastguard ground unit were also tasked.

Communication with the vessel in distress was established through another fishing vessel. Along with the information relayed from the vessel, the volunteer crew used the radar and direction finder on board their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to pinpoint the casualties location.

The three men were taken on board the lifeboat where they were assessed and did not require any medical attention.

Clogherhead RNLI, Skerries coastguard and Rescue 116 were all stood down as Skerries RNLI returned the three men to the lifeboat station, where they were reunited with waiting family members.

Speaking after the call-out, Skerries RNLI helm Rob Morgan said: "Visibility was extremely poor out there this evening. The volunteers training really paid off, particularly with the radar and VHF direction-finding equipment. Thankfully we found them in time and it was a good result."

#RNLI - The RNLI is calling on the public to ‘give it some welly’ and support Mayday, the charity’s major fundraising campaign in Dublin.

People are being asked to buy and wear a yellow welly pin badge or keyring which they can buy for €2 or hold a welly-themed event to raise funds for the lifeboats in their communities.

The yellow welly is an essential piece of RNLI crew kit. Waterproof with steel-capped toes, the specially designed boots keep the volunteer crew’s feet warm and dry while also protecting them in dangerous conditions on deck.

During gale force winds, rain and ice, keeping a sure footing can mean the difference between life and death for the volunteers.

A pair of yellow wellies for a volunteer costs €50. and supporting the RNLI’s Mayday campaign and buying a yellow welly keyring or pin badge will cost just €2.

Mayday will run from next Thursday 1 to Monday 5 May, with yellow welly keyrings and pin badges being sold by volunteers in locations around Dublin.

Badges and keyrings will be on sale in Dublin city centre on Thursday 1 May and Saturday 3 May, and will also be available at Northside Shopping Centre, Dundrum Town Centre and at selected train stations.

A special Yellow Welly Fare Day is also being held in Skerries in North Co Dublin on Sunday 4 May.

Volunteer lifeboat crew have responded to the Mayday calls of those in distress around Ireland’s coastline for 190 years. Lifeboat crew members who are on call 24/7, 365 days a year have spent an average of 137 hours at sea over Mayday weekends for the last 10 years.

Most have a full-time job, but they carry a pager and, when it goes off, they rush to the lifeboat station and launch the lifeboat to rescue those in danger.

Last year RNLI lifeboat stations in North and South Dublin launched 124 times and brought 158 people to safety.

Supporting Mayday, Howth RNLI crew member Ian Sheridan said: "We are delighted to be supporting the RNLI’s Mayday campaign. Each time our lifeboats launch in Howth, it is only possible through the generosity of the public.

"Callouts can range from a sinking yacht to an overdue fishing boat or a swimmer in trouble. Every call is important and could potentially be a life saved."

Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member Gerry Canning added: "I am one of 1,500 volunteer crew members in Ireland and each of us receive valuable crew training, equipment and kit.

"We rely on the support and the generosity of the public to ensure the lifeboat crews based in Dublin and around Ireland can continue to save lives at sea."

Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteer crew member Dave Farrell said: "Our lifeboat station in Dun Laoghaire is busy all year round and we train for every type of emergency.

"The RNLI Mayday appeal will help the charity raise funds for volunteer lifeboat crew so they can continue carrying out life-saving work."

RNLI community fundraising manager Pauline McGann added that the RNLI "is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year and during that time 144,000 lives have been saved by the charity.

"For some ideas on how to get involved and to see what is going on in your area please visit rnli.org/MAYDAY or call us on 01 895 1837. You can also show your support on social media by sharing your fundraising photos and using the hashtag #YellowWelly."

People can also support the campaign by texting Welly to 50300 to donate €4 – 100% of the text cost goes to the RNLI across most network providers. Some providers apply VAT which means a minimum of €1.63 will go to the RNLI. Please ask permission from the bill payer before you text.

#RNLI - Donaghadee RNLI rescued a yacht and crew when they became becalmed in the Irish Sea on Good Friday last.

The Co Down coastal town's all-weather lifeboat Saxon was at sea within 10 minutes of the request for assistance from the coastguard at 3.47pm.



At the scene, close to South Rock south of Portavogie, a tow line was established to the 31-foot vessel that had suffered engine failure and was unable to make headway by sail in the calm conditions.

The yacht was towed to Donaghadee in an operation lasting more than two hours. The lifeboat was then stood down at 6.05pm.



Lifeboat coxswain Philip McNamara said: "While this was a preventative operation, the lifeboat volunteers prefer to attend at an early stage to avoid any risk to life should weather conditions change or the light should fade.”

#dunlaoghairelifeboat – Both RNLI lifeboats at Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay were called out yesterday afternoon following a 999 emergency call that a two-person canoe was drifting close to shore off Dalkey.

The Irish Coast Rescue 116 helicopter at Dublin Airport and Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit were also tasked due to concern for the occupants of the craft.

The incident occurred at around 1.15pm but was stood down 15 minutes later when the two canoeists were located safe and well with friends by the CG shore team at Coliemore Harbour in Dalkey.

The ILB recovered the canoe and returned it to them before returning to station.