#RNLI - Fethard RNLI have received a major boost for their inshore lifeboat appeal after receiving a €12,000 donation from local business Loftus Hall.

Ahead of the RNLI Waves Festival at the end of the month, Aidan and Shane Quigley from Loftus Hall presented Fethard RNLI with the significant contribution towards their special appeal, which was launched earlier this year to raise €65,000 for a new D class inshore lifeboat for the station.

The current lifeboat, Trade Winds, has been operational for almost 10 years, launching 119 times to rescue 85 people in that time, and is due for retirement in 2017.

Aidan Quigley, proprietor of Loftus Hall, said: ‘We are delighted to support such a worthy cause. The RNLI plays such a vital role in the lives of those who live by, work on and visit our coasts. The lifeboat service is kept going by the generosity, dedication and commitment of volunteers, who give selflessly of their time and skills.

"This donation will hopefully ensure the provision of a new D class lifeboat in Fethard to operate in the area over the coming years. Not only is it reassuring to know that many more lives will be saved, but also that the volunteer crew who work tirelessly in saving those lives will be kept safe on their way to a rescue."

Rebecca Doyle, Fethard RNLI lifeboat press officer, added that she and her fellow lifeboat volunteers are "overwhelmed by the support from Loftus Hall with their donation of €12,000 towards our appeal and also by providing us with the astounding and historic location for one of our main fundraising events to be held at the end of the month."

Tickets for the RNLI Waves Festival on Sunday 28 August are available from www.wavesfestival.ie.

#RNLI - Three kayakers who got into difficulty in Dungarvan Bay on Sunday evening (7 August) were assisted by the volunteer crew of Helvick Head RNLI.

The inshore lifeboat Robert Armstrong launched just after 6.30pm following a report that three people in kayaks were struggling in strong winds and currents in the Ballyvoile area of Dungarvan Bay.

One kayaker had made his way ashore but was stuck on rocks and was in need of medical assistance. He was airlifted by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Waterford Regional Hospital.

A second woman was helped from her kayak by the lifeboat crew and brought ashore at Clonea Beach close by. The third person was successful in reaching the shore.

The lifeboat, helmed by John Condon and with crew members Shane Walsh and Joe Foley onboard, later returned to the scene to recover a kayak from the rocks.

"Strong winds and the tide made it difficult for the casualties to get ashore and they were struggling," said Condon after the callout, "so the lifeboat was essential in ensuring the safe recovery of the second kayaker as well as in assisting the helicopter. We would like to wish all three kayakers well after their ordeal."

The incident came on the same day that a group of 12 kayakers was rescued in Dublin Bay after failing to heed the small craft warning in place due to forecast high winds, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

#RNLI - The volunteer crew from Kinsale RNLI launched twice overnight on Saturday (6 August) and into the early hours of Sunday (7 August) this past weekend.

The lifeboat first launched at 9.40pm to Saturday to aid a 26ft yacht that had become propped. Visibility was poor and weather conditions were deteriorating as the vessel was located south of the Sovereign Islands.

Lifeboat crew member Aidan Henry boarded the vessel to set up a stern tow until the lifeboat reached the Charles Fort area, when the yacht was taken alongside and returned safely to the Kinsale Yacht Club marina.

Just hours later at 3.23am on Sunday morning, the emergency pagers went off for a second time in response to reports of distress flares in the Summercove area.

Nick Searls and Jonathan Connor, who attended the earlier incident, were joined by Mark Lewis as the lifeboat searched Kinsale’s inner and outer harbours in poor visibility.

Waterford's Rescue 117 helicopter and Irish Coast Guard units from Kinsale and the Old Head of Kinsale also conducted an extensive search of the area but no vessels or persons in distress were located. The operation was called off by the coastguard at 5.15am.

"Flares are there to save lives at sea and are a vital piece of equipment for any vessel," said Kinsale RNLI lifeboat operations manager John O’Gorman. "When the RNLI receives a report of a flare being released, we respond immediately.

"We would ask every member of the public to be aware that flares should only be used in a genuine emergency as it sets in train an operation involving a large number of RNLI volunteers and resources and members of other rescue services."

#RNLI - Fethard RNLI had a busy weekend, with their second callout in 24 hours seeing launch to reports of an unmanned vessel drifting a half mile off Fethard in Co Wexford.

The alarm was raised before 9.30am yesterday morning (Sunday 7 August) by a member of the public who saw the vessel drifting out to sea.

The lifeboat was launched and, once on scene, discovered that the 17ft pleasure boat had dragged its moorings and become entangled in ropes from nearby lobster pots.

One of the RNLI crew got out of the lifeboat and freed the vessel from the ropes, enabling it to be taken in tow to Fethard Harbour.

Weather conditions were good with a Force 3 to 4 south-westerly breeze, and visibility was clear.

"Vessels that drag or break free of their moorings can quickly become a problem as they move into busy areas or cause an obstruction to other marine traffic," said Fethard RNLI deputy launching authority Hugh Burke.

"We don’t know who owned the vessel in question but in bringing it in to the safety of Fethard Harbour there is now no danger it will be lost or cause an accident."

The callout came a day after the lifeboat crew rescued three from a 17ft punt drifting dangerously close to the shore at Ballyteigue beach, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

#RNLI - The volunteer lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI were launched yesterday morning (Saturday 6 August 2016) just before 9am to reports of an anchorless 17ft punt with three people onboard in difficulty off Keeragh Island, Co Wexford.

Requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard to the initial location, reported as a half mile north-east of Keeragh Island, once on scene the lifeboat was not able to locate the vessel, whose VHF aerial was broken on top of suffering engine failure.

A short time later the lifeboat crew spotted the vessel getting washed ashore in the surf on Ballyteigue beach. Two of its crew had left the punt and were trying to prevent it getting completely beached.

As the Fethard lifeboat approached the shore, one of the lifeboat crew got into the surf and turned the punt around to establish a tow. Once the rope was secured, the lifeboat towed the vessel with its three crew onboard to the Coalyard at Cullenstown.

"The changing nature of this callout meant that the lifeboat crew and to react quickly to ensure a successful outcome, at one stage towing the punt through a very narrow channel between sandbars," said Fethard RNLI deputy launching authority Hugh Burke.

"I would urge all boat operators to ensure that they have a properly working anchor on their vessel and a means of calling for help. The most benign situations can turn in the blink of an eye and in these cases every second counts.

"Thankfully the weather was good and the lifeboat crew were able to assist and bring both the crew and the boat safely home."

#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI rescued a child yesterday evening (Thursday 4 August) after an offshore breeze pulled her inflatable dinghy out to sea.

Ballycotton’s all-weather lifeboat, under coxswain Eolan Walsh, was launched around 5.30pm after the nine-year-old girl got into difficulty off Ardnahinch beach.

Valentia Coast Guard was quickly alerted and then requested the volunteer crew members from Ballycotton and Youghal RNLI to launch their all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

Although weather conditions were calm, an offshore breeze blew the inflatable dinghy out to sea with the girl clinging on.

Ballycotton's inshore boarding boat was first to arrive on scene, shortly followed by the all-weather lifeboat.

The girl was brought onboard the inshore lifeboat where she was assessed and found to be safe and well but in a distressed state. She was assisted by the crew member and brought back safely to her parents on the beach.

"This was a frightening experience for the young girl and her family and we would like to wish them all well following their ordeal," said Walsh after the callout.

"Thankfully, the alarm was raised quickly and the casualty was wearing a suitable buoyancy aid which attributed to a positive outcome."

Walsh added that "while the coast is a great place for young people and families to enjoy, we would remind everyone to respect the water, to understand the risks and to stay safe.

"When using a dinghy, always make sure you wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid; always carry a means of calling or signalling for help.

"Check the weather forecasts and tide times before you go and if on your own, tell someone about your plans – where you intend to go and when you expect to return, and know how to contact the coastguard."

#RNLI - The volunteer crew of Youghal lifeboat were requested to launch on Saturday afternoon (30 July) to reports of a dive boat with engine failure south of Ram Head with two people onboard.

With an updated position received from the Irish Coast Guard, Youghal RNLI located the vessel with the two men safely onboard and wearing their lifejackets.

The lifeboat, with helm Jason Ansbro and crew members Erik Brooks, Kevin Daly and Liam Keogh, took the boat under tow to Knockadoon Pier.

While en route, the crew received a call from the lifeboat station to say there was a dog swimming out to sea at Pilmore beach. After securing the vessel at Knockadoon, the lifeboat proceeded to Pilmore in search of the dog, locating it with the help of the Youghal Coast Guard unit on the beach and recovering the animal onboard the lifeboat.

After some reassurance, the dog seemed happy and unharmed by his adventure, and he was returned to the safety of the beach.

It later emerged that the dog and its owners were walking on Pilmore beach exercising an injury from the previous week, when the dog broke free from his lead and made a dash for the water.

Weather conditions at the time were dry with a light north-westerly breeze and calm sea.

Speaking after the event, lifeboat helm Jason Ansbro said: "When walking dogs on the beach, people should be vigilant as they can get into difficulty very quickly, and to make sure and not go into the water after them if they do."

#RNLI - Portaferry RNLI has urged the public to be vigilant and to take care near or on water this summer following three callouts in two days for the Co Down lifeboat station.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was first put into action on Friday afternoon (29 July) when during a routine exercise, the inshore lifeboat observed three people on a small inflatable boat that had broken down and was on a rock off Killyleagh. Weather conditions at the time were described as good with the sun shining and a slight breeze.

Following unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the lifeboat crew offered their assistance and proceeded to take the three onboard and bring them safely back to shore in Killyleagh.

The lifeboat launched for a second time on Friday evening following a 999 call from a bystander on the shore at the northern end of Strangford Lough.

At the scene the crew found a man was using a small tender boat to get out to his yacht, which was on a mooring between the islands. However, with the tide rushing between the islands at six to seven knots, it was making conditions difficult. The lifeboat went alongside the boat and ensured the man made his way safely to the yacht.

The lifeboat crew was called on for a third time shortly after 6pm on Saturday (30 July) when a 10m yacht with one onboard broke down and was becalmed off the north rock in Cloughey, Portavogie. Conditions at the time were good with an easterly Force 2 wind blowing, some cloud and a calm sea.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the engine had lost power and proceeded to work with the yachtsman to establish a towline before bringing the vessel safely into Portavogie.

Speaking following what has been a busy period for the station, Portaferry RNLI lifeboat operations manager Brian Bailie said: "We would encourage everyone visiting the coastline this summer to enjoy themselves but to remember to respect the water.

"Always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling and signalling for help and ensure everyone know how to use it. Always check the weather forecast and tide times.

"Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. Learn how to start, run and maintain your engine and always carry tools and spares."

#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on Thursday evening (28 July) to reports of a 21ft boat with a fouled propeller south of Rush Harbour.

A person on board the stricken vessel had contacted one of the volunteer crew and informed them that they had fouled their propeller and were anchored south of the harbour.

The crew were paged shortly after 8.30pm, and the lifeboat was quickly launched with Joe May as Helm and crewed by Rob Morgan, Peter Kennedy and Simon Shiels.

As the lifeboat was en route, the crew received an update to say that the casualty vessel had managed free their propeller and return safely to Rogerstown Estuary. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

Speaking after the callout, Skerries RNLI lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said: "Things can go wrong at sea, even for the most experienced seafarers. That’s why it is important to always have the correct equipment on board.

"In this case a good anchor gave [the casualty vessel and its crew] the time they needed to get themselves out of trouble."

The callout was the third in a week for the Skerries inshore lifeboat, after it launched to reports of swimmers in difficulty last Saturday 23 July, and rescued four from a speedboat grounded on rocks at Colt Island the previous Thursday (21 July).

#RNLI - Two members of Wicklow Lifeboat Station have received awards from the RNLI in recognition of their dedication and service over the years.

Deputy second coxswain Dave O’Leary has been awarded the crewman’s Long Service Badge for meritorious service to the RNLI.

O'Leary joined the volunteer crew in May 1996 and was appointed an inshore lifeboat helm in 2002. He was put on the coxswains plan in 2007 and became a deputy second coxswain in 2008, the year his sister Lisa became third mechanic.

In 2010, he took over and overhauled the inshore lifeboat crew training plan, and he is now an integral part of the station personnel.

Meanwhile, lifeboat operations manager Des Davitt was awarded inscribed binoculars for his service to the RNLI.

Davitt joined the RNLI Wicklow committee in 1993, becoming vice chairman in 1995 and taking charge of all fundraising for the branch with support from the Ladies Guild.

Davitt was chairman of the appeal committee who raised funds for the provision of a new inshore lifeboat and an extension to the boathouse to house the new lifeboat in 1996.

In 2001, he was awarded the bronze badge for his services to fundraising. Three years later, he took over the new position of lifeboat operations manager – formerly honorary secretary – from the retiring Kevin Desmond.

Fundraising then became separate from operations and Phylis Whyte took over the running of all fundraising activities.

As lifeboat operations manager, Davitt is responsible for all operational activities at the station and authorises the launch of the boat when a launch request is received from the Irish Coast Guard.