#RNLI - Irish lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched 939 times in 2012, bringing 1,041 people to safety.

The figures are being released by the charity following returns of service from all 44 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The figures also show that the majority of callouts were to pleasure craft, which accounted for 482 of the callouts, while launches to fishing vessels were 115.

Dun Laoghaire RNLI brought the highest number of people to safety with 76 individuals rescued by their volunteer lifeboat crews during 46 callouts. They were followed by Kilmore Quay RNLI in Co Wexford, who brought 71 people to safety on 29 callouts.

The busiest RNLI lifeboat station in Ireland last year was Bangor in Co Down, which launched 53 times and rescued 53 people. Over half of their callouts were carried out in the hours of darkness.

Other busy stations include Crosshaven RNLI in Cork where lifeboat crews launched their inshore lifeboat 42 times and rescued 31 people. Baltimore RNLI – who, along with Kilmore Quay RNLI, operate Ireland's two Tamar class lifeboats, the most technologically advanced lifeboat in the Irish fleet – launched their two lifeboats 41 times, rescuing 41 people. They also carried out almost three quarters of their callouts in the hours of darkness. The second Dublin all weather lifeboat station, based in Howth, launched 40 times and rescued 48 people.

The RNLI's newest lifeboat station at Coosan Point, Athlone on Lough Ree, which is currently on a one year trial from last June, had a busy first six months launching 14 times and bringing 18 people to safety.

The charity's lifeboat crews also had 122 callouts to people classed as ´ashore`. This figure incorporates launches to people who are ill or injured on an island, cliff or the shoreline, where access by lifeboat is the fastest or safest way to reach the casualty. It also includes medical evacuations from the islands off the coast of Ireland by lifeboat, which is a vital part of the service given by lifeboat stations such as Arranmore Island in Co Donegal and the Aran Islands off Co Galway.

In comparison with the 2011 statistics, 2012 saw a slight drop in lifeboat launches from 983 to 939 but a rise in people rescued from 906 to 1,041, an increase of 135 in the twelve month period.

Martyn Smith, RNLI operations manager for Ireland, says: 'The figures show that our volunteers dedicate a huge amount of their time to saving lives at sea. To know that they are on call every day of the year is reassuring for all of us who venture out to sea and on loughs around Ireland.

'While many callouts can be challenging, our volunteer lifeboat crews take the responsibility of bringing loved ones home very seriously.  As the figures show, last year they were able to do that for 1,041 people. 

"Not every callout is to save a life but the comfort and reassurance our volunteer crews bring to those in trouble is something the RNLI is very proud of and will continue to provide through the generosity of the public. I would like to say a huge "thank you" to all those who support the RNLI, whether by giving up their time or by making a donation.'

Key RNLI figures in 2012:

• On average 20 people a week were rescued by RNLI lifeboat crew in Ireland
• Altogether Irish lifeboat crews spent over ten thousand hours at sea on callouts.
• 51% of lifeboat launches were to power, sail and manual pleasure craft
• 14% of lifeboat launches were to commercial craft (fishing boats and other commercial vessels)
• 200 of the lifeboat launches were to boats with mechanical failure
• 73 callouts were to stranded or grounded vessels

#rescue – The crew of an Olympic 49er skiff dinghy that capsized off Dun Laoghaire in strong winds this morning has been brought to safety by Dun Laoghaire lifeboat.

The two dinghy sailors got into difficulties in strong winds on Dublin Bay.

The pair were training on a 49er skiff dinghy and departed the harbour mid-morning.  They had been attempting to return for two hours but repeatedly capsized close to the harbour entrance.

A concerned member of the public walking on the pier had kept the dinghy under observation for about 20 minutes before reporting the situation.

The Irish Coastguard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) Dublin requested that the RNLI Inshore lifeboat (ILB) launch but it was subsequently decided to task the All-Weather lifeboat (ALB) due to the deteriorating conditions and moderate visibility. The South-Easterly wind was gusting in excess of 30 knots.

The lifeboat launched at 12.20 and immediately located the casualty heading for the more sheltered area off Seapoint under reduced sail. The boat was taken in tow to the Coal Harbour slipway. Neither crew-member needed medical attention.

#rnli –  Thanks to the generosity of local man Willie Gregg, Portrush Lifeboat has now been fitted with and Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The AIS is an automatic tracking system used on ships to enable them to be identified and located by electronically exchanging data with other ships and AIS Base stations. The information supplements marine radar which is the primary method of collision avoidance for water transport.

The exciting thing about the AIS is that it will allow the Coastguard, family and friends of the Lifeboats to track the progress and to see exactly where the boat is when out on a shout.

Robin Cardwell Lifeboat Operations manager for the station said;-

'This is an exciting step forward in technology for Portrush Station and the RNLI. AIS means that we can track the Lifeboat from the shore and know where they are when they are at sea. This is also an important step in sea safety and will enhance the safety features of the Lifeboats.

We are indebted to Willie for fundraising for this important piece of equipment and would like to thank him on behalf of the crew'

Willie whose brother Kerry used to be Deputy Coxswain on the Lifeboat attended the crew meeting on Monday night to hand over the AIS to Cox des Austin and Lifeboat crew members.

#portrush – Tim Nelson's interest in all things connected with the RNLI has paid dividends in relation to the return of a silver gallantry medal presented to a local man for saving the life of a boy in Portrush in 1891.

Tim a keen collector and married to the Station's Press Officer, Judy Nelson was searching the web for images of RNLI issued medals as he had seen an unnamed RNLI bronze medal on eBay and was trying to work out if it was a modern copy or an original. As part of his on-going research Tim discovered a silver medal on the Internet awarded by the RNLI for bravery. As he read the accompanying history and the description of the medal he was surprised to find that the rescue that the medal had been awarded for had occurred in Portrush Harbour in 1891.

Tim said

'Obviously having an interest and connection with the Lifeboat Station in Portrush, I was very excited by the find. I contacted Robin Cardwell Lifeboat Operations manager to tell him and contacted the seller to express interest in the medal.'

Robin was keen to learn more and between himself, Tim, Des Austin, Coxswain, arrangements were made to purchase the medal to return it to its home Station in Portrush.

The medal was awarded by The Royal National Lifeboat Institution to: John Boyd Seaman who was not a crew member but a seaman living in Portrush. The full citation reads:

On 8 May 1891, while going out to his smack (small boat) which was at anchor in Portrush Harbour, a boy was thrown into the sea after his boat ran into another vessel's wake. John Boyd saw this from his position on another boat some 100 yards away. Despite being encumbered with his coat and sea boots, John Boyd jumped into the water and swam to the boy, as did fisherman David Patton, who, though twice as far away on shore, ran to the quay, threw off his coat, jumped in the sea and went to his aid. Boyd and Patton both supported the boy until a boat came from shore to further assist them. The RNLI voted John Boyd and David Patton its silver medal and accompanying vellum testimonial on 14 May 1891 The award was reported in various papers including the Belfast News-Letter, Saturday 16 May 1891).

John Boyd's medal has had quite a journey before returning to the home station. It formed part of the Watters Collection, sold at Glendinnings between 9-12 June 1913; it was subsequently part of the American Numismatic Society collection until 2006 and was sold for the ANS by Morton & Eden Auctioneers, 26 October 2006.

The medal was purchased by a collector Dr Roger Willoughby, who has a keen interest in lifesaving medals and is planning to write a book about Lifesaving Medals issued in Ireland. Dr Willoughby would be delighted to hear from anyone with any information that could assist him with his research. He can be contacted via email at [email protected]

Robin Cardwell Lifeboat Operations Manager commented:-

'We are delighted to have this medal back in Portrush were it first started out. It has had quite a journey around the world and we are so pleased that Tim found it and was able to assist in its return.'

The medal was purchased from crew funds and donations made by Willie Gregg as part of his on-going fundraising initiatives for Portrush Station and Willie's Orphan Fund

The medal will form part of the Stations history exhibition and can be seen on station open days.

#Lifeboats - TheJournal.ie reports that RNLI lifeboat crews from Dunmore East and Fethard rescued two fishermen from their vessel off the Waterford coast yesterday (14 January 2013).

Rescuers sped to the scene after the 10-metre fishing boat got into difficulty and grounded close to the shore north of Loftus Hall.

Despite the receding tide, the lifeboats managed to tow the vessel carefully off the rocks "without any major damage", according to a spokesperson. The two crew were uninjured in the incident.

It marked the third major call-out in a week off the Waterford coast - following a similar rescue effort last Tuesday, and just days after the tragic loss of a local fisherman on Thursday morning on the sixth anniversary of the sinking of Dunmore East trawler the Pere Charles.

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon volunteers with Achill Island RNLI went to the assistance of an injured fisherman off the Mayo coast.

The lifeboat station received the distress call around noon to go to the assistance of a fishing party north of Clare Island, where the crew removed a man from the vessel who had suffered an eye injury from a fishing hook.

He was subsequently transported on the lifeboat to Kildavnet, where a local doctor examined his injury before referring him to Castlebar General Hospital for further attention.

#RNLI – Lifeboats at Dun Laoghaire were called out yesterday following a distress call from a yacht with a suspected fire on board.

The incident took place shortly after mid-day while a second call for a kitesurfer in difficulty was received soon afterwards.

The yacht had been on a sail-training trip with a skipper and six crew on board when a high-temperature alarm and smoke alerted the crew. Fire extinguishers were used on the engine compartment and the skipper notified the Irish Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Dublin (MRCC Dublin).

The RNLI All-Weather lifeboat (ALB) and Inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched immediately and were quickly on scene in the harbour where the yacht had moored.  The coastguard rescue helicopter from Dublin Airport and the Irish Lights vessel Granuaile also responded to the alert.

The lifeboat took the six crew-members off the 37-foot yacht while two RNLI crew-members boarded the casualty vessel to inspect for damage with the skipper.  An over-heating engine was the suspected cause and the vessel was taken in tow to Dun Laoghaire marina where all crew members were brought ashore.  Units of the Dublin Fire Brigade attended at the marina and checked the vessel. Nobody was injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, the ILB was diverted from the call to the sail-training yacht to a kitesurfer in difficulty off the South Bull Wall. The coastguard helicopter proceeded to the scene and spotted the casualty who had become separated from his board.

Although weather conditions were fine, a fresh Easterly breeze against the ebbing Spring tide had caused a moderate seaway and swell while the casualty was attempting the swim for shore. The ILB crew recovered the casualty and landed him at the beach beside the Pigeon House at Ringsend where he did not require medical attention.

#Coastguard - The Irish Times reports on the death of a local fisherman off the Waterford coast on Thursday morning in an incident that prompted a major coastguard and lifeboat search and rescue operation - six years to the day after the tragic sinking of Dunmore East trawler the Pere Charles.

The Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 117 helicopter was dispatched to before 8am along with the RNLI lifeboats from Dunmore East and Tramore to the scene off Brownstown Head after a 16-foot fishing boat capsized, throwing its two-man crew into the water.

James Tate reached the shore unaided after some two hours in the water to raise the alarm. He was later treated for shock and hypothermia.

His friend Johnny Flynn - a former member of the Dunmore East lifeboat crew, according to the Irish Independent - was found unconscious in the water by the coastguard helicopter before 8.30am, but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

The men's boat has been recovered, and a spokesperson for the Marine Casualty Investigation Board confirmed that a full investigation and inquest into Flynn's death would take place.

The incident came just two days after four fishermen were rescued from their boat off Hook Head in Co Waterford.

Elsewhere, it's reported that a Spanish fisherman died after sustaining head injuries on a trawler off Loop Head in Co Clare on Thursday morning.

The Irish Times has more on both stories HERE.

#Lifeboats - The video above shows off a prototype of the RNLI's new lifeboat class, the Shannon, as it undergoes sea trials to determine how it handles the rough weather all too common to the seas around the UK and Ireland.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Irish naval architect Peter Eyre has been instrumental in the new lifeboat design, which is nearly 50% faster than the vessels currently in service.

It's also the second RNLI boat to be designed by an Irishman, after the Atlantic 21 developed in the 1970s by Cork-born Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare at the Atlantic College in Wales.

In other RNLI news, tributes were paid in the Isle of Man this week to the founder of the lifeboat institution in an annual ceremony on the Irish Sea island.

As BBC News reports, Sir William Hillary launched an appeal in 1824 that let to the formation of the RNLI, and he went on to serve as a member of the lifeboat crew at Douglas.

#Lifeboats - RTÉ News has a video report on a memorial to lives lost on the Shannon recently installed at the location of Lough Ree's new lifeboat station.

Relatives of those lost to the waterway spoke of their appreciation for the setting up of the new search and rescue base for the mid-Shannon after a decade of campaigning.

As reported on Afloat.ie last July, the RNLI's 44th lifeboat station in Ireland - located at Coosan Point in Athlone - Co Westmeath, has been welcomed as a search and rescue asset on Lough Ree and the Shannon.

Some €150,000 has been invested in the temporary facilities, from which volunteers operate the B class Atlantic 75 lifeboat Dorothy Mary, on a year-long trial basis.

According to RNLI Lough Ree's Matt Harte, the new station was among the busiest in Ireland last year, with up to 20 call-outs in its six months of operation thus far.

#MaritimeFestivals - Running for the last three years, Sligo Bay RNLI is once again preparing for the Sea Shanty Festival in Rosses Point later this summer, with all proceeds going to the lifeboat station.

"The festival is a celebration of the long maritime tradition of Rosses Point and the Sligo area," as festival committee chair Willie Murphy explained last year.

"Shanties were working songs used on board sailing ships. The songs were mostly sung when the job involved several crew members working in rhythm together."

One of the many groups that have performed in the past is The Drunken Sailors from Germany, who have written a song inviting people back to Sligo Bay for the 2013 festival from 14-16 June.



The group’s story goes that back in the summer of 2012, the Drunken Sailor Shantymen were infected by the ‘Sligo Bay Virus’, and they asked their witch-doctor what medicine would help.



"You were infected by a well-known serious music virus out of the north-west of Ireland," they were told. "And the only think what may help, is to sing a song which tells a story of Sligo Bay.


"But take the medicine without any alcohol or other drugs, sing a great song for all friends of shanty music and you will get better!"



With this advice, the brave Drunken Sailor Shantymen started to sing the song you can hear in the video above, and which they think may move all famous artists to come back to Rosses Point Sea Shanty Festival later this year.