The Howth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew sprang into action on Monday evening, launching both of their lifeboats to assist in a multi-agency incident near the Baily Lighthouse. The Coast Guard had requested the inshore lifeboat to respond to reports of an individual stranded at the base of cliffs close to the lighthouse. The Dublin Fire Brigade and the Howth Coast Guard unit were also involved in the operation.

Upon arrival, the lifeboat crew located a man who had fallen while out walking the previous evening. He could not call for help, and had spent the night and the day stranded on the cliff, very close to the high water point. The man was visibly wet, cold, and unable to move due to injuries, but was conscious and able to communicate with the crew.

The crew assisted an advanced paramedic from Dublin Fire Brigade in assessing the man’s injuries, and decided to take him by sea to an ambulance. As a potential injury was suspected, the Howth all-weather lifeboat was launched for the extraction.

The all-weather lifeboat, with five crew members on board, arrived within minutes. The helm of the inshore lifeboat held the boat steady while the two crew members, assisted by a member of the Coast Guard unit and the advanced paramedic, brought the casualty on board on a stretcher. The inshore lifeboat then made its way to the all-weather lifeboat, and the casualty and the advanced paramedic were transferred across. The all-weather lifeboat proceeded to Howth Lifeboat Station, where the casualty was handed over to the ambulance crew.

Fin Goggin, a Howth RNLI lifeboat crew member, expressed her relief that the incident had a positive outcome. She noted that the man had been exposed to the elements for close to 24 hours, and had he fallen any further, he could have ended up in the water. Goggin added that these types of rescues from rocks and cliffs form a regular part of their training, and urged anyone who sees someone in difficulty on or close to the water to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Kilmore Quay RNLI volunteers were called out on two separate occasions on Monday, September 11, to assist two yachts in distress.

The first call came in early in the morning when the crew launched to help two people on board a yacht with a fouled prop approximately two miles south of Carnsore Point. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 8:10 am, and after assessing the situation, the crew towed the yacht back to Kilmore Quay. The vessel arrived back at the harbour at 9:30 am.

Later in the day, the crew received another call for assistance. This time, they were asked to help a lone sailor whose yacht had lost all power near the Saltee Islands. The lifeboat was launched at 2:30 pm and arrived on scene ten minutes later. After assessing the situation, the crew transferred an RNLI crew member to the yacht to establish a towline.

The vessel was towed back to Kilmore Quay harbour, arriving at 3:20 pm where they were met by an ambulance as a precaution.

Arranmore RNLI in Co Donegal rescued a kayaker on rocks at Owey Island on Sunday afternoon (10 September).

The volunteer crew were asked to launch their all-weather lifeboat by Malin Head Coast Guard at 2.50pm to reports of a kayaker in difficulty on rocks at Owey Island, a five-minute journey from the RNLI station.

On arrival at the scene, the lifeboat was joined by the Bunbeg Coast Guard boat, the Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo-based helicopter Rescue 118 and local boats.

The lifeboat located the empty kayak and proceeded to search the area around Owey Island and the wider area for the missing kayaker but was unable to locate him.

Arranmore RNLI mechanic Philip McCauley suggested to Malin Head Coast Guard that the caves at Owey Island were a popular exploration spot for kayakers and canoes. They proceeded to search the area by the Bunbeg Coast Guard drone and the casualty was soon located.

It emerged that the kayaker was going to explore the cave when a large swell backed him into the opening, overturned his boat and tossed him onto the rocks. He had managed to alert the Coast Guard and clung onto the rocks until he was located by the lifeboat.

Sea conditions at the area made the rescue more difficult with a high ground swell and breaking surf.

As the tide turned and sea conditions improved, the lifeboat launched the Y boat — a small inflatable daughter boat capable of entering shallow water and small confined areas, launched from the stern of the lifeboat — with volunteer crew members Evan O’Donnell and JJ O’Donnell onboard and they proceeded into the cave where they brought the casualty onboard and transferred him to the lifeboat for assessment.

The lifeboat then transferred the casualty to the Bunbeg Coast Guard boat and the crew took him ashore and he was subsequently taken onboard Rescue 118 for transfer to Letterkenny University Hospital.

Speaking on return from service, McCauley said: “We are really pleased at the positive outcome of this call. I would particularly like to commend our two crew members JJ O’Donnell and Evan O’Donnell who were in charge of the Y boat in challenging sea conditions and brought the casualty to safety. They did a fantastic job and we are lucky to have crew members of their calibre onboard the crew. All our volunteer crew members are very dedicated and don’t hesitate to answer the call to save lives.”

Coxswain Seán O’Donnell also thanked the boats from the local area who provided assistance in the search. He said: “This was a great joint effort with the Bunbeg Coast Guard boat, Rescue 118 and all the boats who took part in this rescue. It was this joint cooperation between all the rescue services and the local boat crews that was instrumental in bringing a positive outcome in the search and saving the life of the man.”

Arranmore RNLI’s crew on the service were coxswain Seán O’Donnell, mechanic Philip McCauley and volunteer crew members Aisling Cox, Evan O’Donnell, JJ O’Donnell, Jamie Neeson, Sharon O’Donnell and Mickey Dubh McHugh.

Meanwhile, on Saturday (9 September), the crew were called out at 6.40pm to a medevac from the island, where they transferred the patient to a waiting ambulance in Burtonport to be brought to Letterkenny University Hospital for assessment.

Sligo Bay RNLI's volunteer crew were requested to launch at 2.10pm on Sunday afternoon (10 September) to reports of three people in difficulty off Inishmurray Island.

The three were on a boat which had earlier left from Mullaghmore Harbour on a fishing trip. However, during their trip, the boat experienced engine failure.

Answering their pagers, the volunteer crew were at the station, onboard the inshore lifeboat Sheila and Denis Tongue and under way in nine minutes.

Weather conditions at the time were favourable and contact was made with a local angling boat who was close to the scene, and they stood by the casualty vessel until the lifeboat arrived.

On arrival at the scene, some four miles off the coast, an assessment was carried out and it was decided to take all three people aboard the lifeboat and the crew then set up a tow with the casualty vessel and brought them back to Mullaghmore Harbour, where all were put safely ashore at the boat tied up.

Speaking after the call-out, Sligo Bay RNLI lifeboat operations manager Willie Murphy said: “Thankfully the outcome was successful. All three people were wearing lifejackets and had a means of communication.”

A family of four on board a broken-down speedboat off the County Wexford coast received assistance from the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI over the weekend. The Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of the lifeboat on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. following a distress call from the stranded family.

Helm Mick Roche, along with crew members Cathal O’Connell and Paddy Regan, launched Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and arrived on the scene, located 500 meters off Slade Harbour, in a short amount of time. The weather was good with flat calm seas. After assessing the situation, the crew made the decision to tow the family and their craft to the safety of Fethard Dock.

Pete Barry, Volunteer Deputy Launch Authority, spoke about the importance of having a means to call for help in case of an emergency. He commended the family for their quick thinking in calling the Coast Guard, which allowed the crew to launch as soon as possible and bring the situation to a safe conclusion.

A significant crowd gathered at Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat station in West Cork for the naming ceremony of the new Shannon class lifeboat on Saturday. Val Adnams, the principal donor, flew from Idaho, USA, to name the state-of-the-art vessel. Esteemed guests, including the Lord Mayor of County Cork, Tánaiste Michéal Martin, RNLI Head of Region Anna Classon, RNLI Director of Engineering and Supply Jamie Chestnutt, Coast Guard Head of Operations Gerard O’Flynn, and several search and rescue colleagues from local lifeboat stations and Coast Guard Units, were present.

Lifeboat donor Val Adnams pictured with An Tánaiste Michéal Martin and members of Courtmacsherry RNLI at the Naming Ceremony for the station’s Shannon class lifeboat

Val Adnams, a lifelong supporter of the RNLI and an avid sailor and sportsperson, grew up in Preston and Weymouth. She expressed her gratitude and said, "It is worth funding this Shannon class lifeboat. It warms my heart to know that this lifeboat will be helping the crew to keep the waters around Courtmacsherry lifeboat station safe."

The lifeboat has the latest marine propulsion technology, ensuring improved control and manoeuvrability, with safety as the top priority. The vessel has an expected lifespan of fifty years. Brian O’Dywer, the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Operations Manager, received the lifeboat and thanked the donor for her generous gift. He praised the capability of the new lifeboat and expressed his confidence that it will provide a safe environment for their crew and a first-class rescue service for seafarers in need of assistance at sea.

Lifeboat donor Val Adnams pours champagne over the bow of Courtamacsherry’s Shannon class lifeboat at the Naming Ceremony for the station’s Shannon class lifeboat

The lifeboat was displayed in the harbour, followed by a flyover by the Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 117. The ceremony concluded with a service of dedication and a heartily sung chorus of the Phil Coulter lifeboat anthem ‘Home from the Sea.'

The new Shannon class lifeboat replaced the station's previous All-Weather lifeboat, Frederick Story Cockburn, which went on 370 callouts during its service. The ceremony was held a day after the death of Gerry Turner, the previous Lifeboat Operations Manager, who was remembered by the current manager in his opening remarks.

The crew and station management had a long day as the lifeboat had been launched at 5.20 am that morning to reports of a swimmer in difficulty off Inchydoney, but the callout ended successfully as Afloat reported here.

Galway RNLI received a request from the Irish Coast Guard to launch and assist two kayakers who were reportedly in trouble off Hare Island in the inner Galway Bay.

The volunteer crew promptly launched the lifeboat with crew members Dave Badger, Stefanie Carr, James Rattigan, and Brian Niland on board.

They were able to locate the kayakers southwest of Hare Island. The sea conditions were favorable with little wind and good visibility. The crew managed to rescue the kayakers and their kayaks and brought them safely back to shore.

Dave Badger, who was the helm on board the lifeboat, emphasized the importance of having a means to call for help when out on the water, especially if you get into difficulty.

The kayakers managed to call for help using their mobile phone when they could not return to shore. Dave Badger encourages everyone to always carry a means of calling for help as part of their kayaking kit and keep it within reach at all times. In case of emergency, it is important to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

A sea swimmer in West Cork was rescued by an RNLI lifeboat crew in thick fog this morning. 

The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat "Val Adnams" was called early this morning (Saturday, September 9th) by the Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre to help a swimmer in trouble off Inchydoney Island beach in West Cork. Despite the thick fog, the Lifeboat, led by Coxswain Mark Gannon and with a crew of five, quickly assembled and headed towards the area at 5.34 am. Fortunately, the swimmer had made it to shore safely with the assistance of a friend. Once the swimmer's safety was confirmed, the Lifeboat returned to its base in Courtmacsherry.

Vincent O'Donovan, the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Launch Authority and press officer, expressed his gratitude to the 20 volunteer crew and officers who quickly responded to the call for help. He emphasised the importance of dialling 999 or 112 in emergency situations, stressing that every minute counts. He wishes everyone using the coastline a safe and enjoyable weekend.

This morning's crew on the callout included Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Stuart Russell, and crew members Ken Cashman, Donal Young, Denis Murphy, and Kieran Boyle. It is a special day at the Lifeboat Station as the Naming Ceremony for the new Lifeboat "Val Adnams" takes place in the Village at 1.45 pm, and everyone is invited to attend. 

The volunteer crew of Howth RNLI are urging anyone planning a trip to the coast, beach or inland waters over the weekend to stay safe amid the continued good spell of warm weather forecast.

This follows a busy period for the crew who launched five times last weekend to people in distress.

On Saturday (2 September), the inshore lifeboat was launched to recover three people who had been cut off by the rising tide while walking along the coastline.

On Sunday morning (3 September) the inshore lifeboat was launched to assist a powerboat with people onboard which had suffered engine failure. The crew returned the powerboat to Howth Harbour and prepared the lifeboat for its next service.

Shortly before 3pm, the crew launched the inshore lifeboat to assist a swimmer who had suffered an injury at a swimming spot in Balscadden Bay. The crew took the injured person onboard the lifeboat and provided casualty care before transferring them to an ambulance.

Later that evening, a distress call was made from a yacht with 11 people onboard which had run aground at the entrance to Malahide Harbour. Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched.

The children onboard the yacht were taken ashore and the crew attempted to free the yacht from the sand. After a number of attempts, a decision was taken to await the rising tide that night. The lifeboats returned to station and were made ready for their next service.

The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat at 11.20pm that night at high tide and proceeded to assist the yacht, which was floated and its fouled propeller freed. The yacht was then escorted into Malahide Harbour.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Howth RNLI coxswain Fred Connolly said: “Thankfully our crews were able to respond quickly to all those in distress last weekend which led to positive outcomes in all cases.

“With large numbers expected to visit Howth this weekend for the Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival, and as this period of good weather looks set to continue, we’d like to encourage people to enjoy themselves but also to be mindful of their personal safety.

“Check weather and tide times before venturing out on the water and always check local signage for safety and hazards. Always carry a means of communication such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.

“If you go swimming and you find yourself in a rip current, do not swim against or it or you will get exhausted. If you can, stand up and wade, or swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the rip, then head to shore.

“If you can, raise your hand and call for help — and remember to Float to Live if you can’t make it back or become too tired. To do this, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and call for help or swim to safety if you can.

“If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

Agencies have issued a warning to the public regarding maritime safety during the current warm weather in Ireland.

The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, and the RNLI urge the public to pay attention to personal safety and follow safety guidelines when engaging in water and coastal activities.

Sea temperatures have reached a seasonal high, and maritime agencies are concerned that many people will be tempted to take a late summer swim.

These agencies are especially worried since nine people drown on average every month nationwide. Therefore, they advise the public to be mindful of the following advice during the current spell of warm weather:

• Never swim alone and ensure that somebody ashore is monitoring your activity.
• Only swim in areas with which you are familiar.
• Swim within your depth and stay within your depth.
• Where possible choose lifeguard protected beaches. Lifeguards will be patrolling blue flag beaches throughout the weekend. If you are swimming elsewhere, swim in areas that are known locally as safe and where there are ringbuoys present for rescues.
• Ask for local knowledge to determine local hazards and safest areas to swim. Pay attention to any safety signage.
• Always supervise children closely and never leave them alone near water.
• Never use inflatable toys in open water as a gentle breeze can quickly bring a person away from shore.
• Make sure that the water’s edge is shallow shelving so that you can safely enter and exit.
• The air temperature is warm but open water is cooler than air – avoid extended stays in the water as your muscles will cool, making swimming more difficult.
• Alcohol is a factor in one third of drownings. Do not mix it with water activities.
• To escape a rip current, swim parallel to the shore and then swim back ashore at an angle.
• If you see somebody in trouble in the water: SHOUT – REACH – THROW
• SHOUT to calm, encourage and orientate them;
• REACH with anything that prevents you from entering the water (clothing/stick);
• THROW a ringbuoy or any floating object to them.

If you experience difficulty in the water, FLOAT TO LIVE. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to control your breathing. Move your hands to help you stay afloat.

When boating, always wear a correctly fitting lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device and have to hand a VHF radio and a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.

If you see somebody in Trouble in the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble, dial 112 or use VHF radio Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.