An RNLI Shannon Class Lifeboat fitted with waterjets gives a demonstration of the exceptional manoeuvrability of waterjet-driven boats.

The demonstration shows the slow speed agility as well as the controlled turn of pace given by the waterjet propulsion system.

This Shannon Class lifeboat was built at Berthon in Lymington and goes on station at Montrose. The lifeboat was fitted with Hamilton HJ364 Waterjets combined with the power of 2 Scania Di13 12.7 litre engines with over 650 horsepower. 

Lough Swilly RNLI received the first Shannon class lifeboat in Ireland in March this year.

The RNLI’s partnership with this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has raised €16,590 for the charity that saves lives at sea.

The proceeds were raised through a successful fundraising prize draw, which saw raffle tickets sold throughout Cork and beyond in the run up to this year’s festival which took place from 22-26 October.

The winner of the first prize trip for two for five nights to New Orleans including flights and accommodation was Kathleen Kelleher from Ballyphehane. Michael Hickey from Dungourney took the second prize of two tickets to Van Morrison and one night bed and breakfast in a Dublin hotel while Fiona Hanley from Courtmacsherry won the third prize which was a two night midweek bed and breakfast break at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.

The RNLI has eight lifeboat stations in County Cork located in Youghal, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Union Hall, Baltimore and Castletownbere.

Thanking everyone involved with the fundraiser, Mary Creedon, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager said: ‘We were delighted to be associated with this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and are thankful to the organisers for choosing the charity that saves lives at sea.

‘Last year lifeboats in Cork launched 163 times and brought 255 people safely to shore. Thanks to everyone who sold or bought a ticket in the run up to the jazz festival and over the course of the festival weekend, we were able to raise a wonderful sum of money which will now be used to provide our volunteers with the first class training and equipment they need to carry out their lifesaving work.’

#RNLI - As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the RNLI has kickstarted its festive season with the launch of the charity’s popular Reindeer Runs in Dublin and Cork.

Returning to Marlay Park in Rathfarnham on Sunday 6 December, the Dublin leg of this well-established event will raise funds to help volunteer crew at Skerries, Howth and Dun Laoghaire lifeboat stations to continue to save lives at sea.

TV presenter, author and adventurer Teena Gates will be present on the day to start the run and lead the participants in the popular ‘Rookie the Reindeer Warm-Up’.

Speaking at the launch for the Dublin Reindeer Run, Gates said she was "thrilled to once again be supporting the RNLI Reindeer Run in Marlay Park. Having been involved with this event for a few years now I would urge people to sign up and help raise funds for a great charity that is close to my heart.

"The RNLI has been saving lives at sea off the Dublin coast for generations. Their volunteer lifeboat crews are ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things to save lives and prevent disaster.

"None of us in Dublin live very far from the sea and we never know when we or someone we love will need their help, so here is a wonderful way to support them. Get signed up and come over to Marlay Park and spread a little Christmas cheer for the lifeboats."

Volunteer crew member Stephen Mullaney from Howth RNLI added" "Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Dublin launched 137 times, bringing 185 people to safety. While the figures show that our lifeboat crews are busy all year round some of our most challenging call outs will occur over the winter months.

"However, having the support of people who so generously fundraise and sign up to take part in events such as the reindeer run, means that we can avail of first class training and equipment and be ready to answer the call and help someone in need when our pagers go off."

The reindeer run caters for all abilities and ages with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run, a 3k option for juniors or a shorter Santa Saunter.

For anyone who can’t participate in the event but would like to come along and soak up the atmosphere, there are a number of volunteer marshalling roles to be filled. To get involved please contact RNLI community fundraising manager Pauline McGann at 087 997 4038 or email [email protected]

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, has joined forces with World champion and European sprint hurdle medallist Derval O’Rourke (and wife of Olympic sailor Peter O'Leary) to launch three RNLI Reindeer Runs in Cork and Dublin.

The three time Olympian athlete and author visited Fota House and Gardens outside Cobh to team up with volunteer lifeboat crew and kick-start the festivities for the upcoming reindeer runs. The events will be held at Liss Ard Estate in Skibbereen on Sunday 22 November, Fota House and Gardens outside Cobh on Sunday 29 November and Marlay Park in Dublin on Sunday 6 December.

Due to the popularity of the reindeer runs, the charity has introduced a third venue at Liss Ard Estate this year. The stunning 200-acre estate in West Cork is located close to the RNLI’s newest lifeboat station at Union Hall which was established on a trial basis in September last year.

Launching the reindeer runs, Derval was joined by Union Hall RNLI crew members Shane and Stephen Hurley, Helvick Head RNLI crew member Liam Harty and Youghal RNLI crew member Martin Morris.

Born and raised in County Cork where the RNLI has eight lifeboat stations, RNLI supporter Derval, is familiar with the charity’s lifesaving work:
‘Living in Cork, I am all too aware of the search and rescue work the RNLI carries out around the coast and of the commitment of its lifeboat crews who dedicate themselves to regular training and to responding to their pagers at any time of the day or night.
‘Having experienced the festive spirit at an RNLI reindeer run for the first time last year, I am delighted to see that the event is going from strength to strength and that the RNLI has introduced an additional venue for West Cork. These events are a great way for us to build in some exercise in what can be a hectic season while also showing our support for our lifeboat crews as they continue to save lives at sea.’

Looking forward to the first reindeer run at Liss Ard Estate which begins at 10.30am, Stephen Hurley from Union Hall RNLI said: ‘We have had a busy first year in Union Hall and have been overwhelmed by the goodwill shown by the people of West Cork and much further afield.

‘Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Cork launched 163 times, bringing 218 people to safety. Across Ireland, there were 1,089 lifeboat launches and 1,414 people were rescued. While the figures show that our lifeboat crews are busy all year round, some of our most challenging call outs will occur over the winter months. However, having the support of people who so generously fundraise and sign up to take part in events such as the reindeer runs, means that we can avail of first class training and equipment and be ready to answer the call and help someone in need when our pagers go off.’

The second reindeer run in Cork takes place on Sunday, 29 November at Fota House and Gardens, starting at 10.30am.

Dublin’s reindeer run will take place in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham on Sunday 6 December, starting at 10am.

All abilities and ages are catered for with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run or a shorter Santa Saunter.

Registration for the three events is now open online at rnli.org/reindeer and costs €20 for the 5K and €22 for the 10K. Children’s tickets are €10 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) is €55. All participants in the 5K and 10K will receive an RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt, a pair of antlers and a car sticker.

#WaterSafety - Shore angler Colm Plunkett, who credits his lifejacket with saving his life after he was swept into the sea earlier this year, is supporting a water safety campaign launched this week by the RNLI throughout Ireland and the UK.

Plunkett and the RNLI are urging all shore anglers to wear a lifejacket, which could buy them vital time should they end up in the water unexpectedly.

Between 2010 and 2014 there were 29 anglers rescued while fishing from rocks or the shoreline in Ireland and the charity’s lifeboats were launched 43 times to shore angling callouts.

According to research conducted by the RNLI, only 10% of shore anglers wear lifejackets. Yet an expert casualty review panel found that 81% of the fatalities reviewed between 2007 and 2013 could have been prevented had the casualties been wearing lifejackets.

The safety campaign advises: ‘Don’t be an amateur – wear a lifejacket.’

Irish angler Colm Plunkett is one of those who chose to wear his lifejacket – a decision which ultimately saved his life after he was swept from rocks while fishing at Dursey Sound on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork in August this year.

Plunkett and his daughter Orlaith are backing the campaign and have shared their story with the RNLI for the campaign.

"I was fishing when a rogue wave washed me into the sea," he recounts. "I spent the next 55 minutes fighting for my life. Fortunately I was with my 16-year-old daughter, who immediately called the coastguard. Upon entering the water my lifejacket automatically inflated and kept me on the surface of the sea.

"For the first 15 to 20 minutes I was swept by the current out to sea. I spent 30 minutes or so fighting to get air into my lungs while spitting sea water out of my mouth; as the waves broke over my head and the water ran down my face.

"Much to my relief, the current then pushed me back towards the land and to calmer waters. My state of exhaustion and oncoming hypothermia prevented me from reaching the shore but my daughter shouted to me that help was on the way and, for the first time my spirits rose."

Ten minutes later, he recalls, the inshore rescue boat from Derrynane, Co Kerry reached him. "I was brought to shore with a life-threatening low temperature and was taken to hospital by helicopter for further assessment and treatment.

"I am here solely because I wear a lifejacket. If you are not wearing a lifejacket, you are as good as dead."

There are some simple steps anglers can follow to keep themselves safe:

• If fishing from the shoreline, wear a lifejacket.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
• Carry a means of calling for help.

The campaign forms part of the RNLI’s work to halve the number of accidental coastal deaths by 2024.

Volunteer lifeboat crew at Red Bay RNLI launched at 5am this morning (5 November) to assist a two man American crew aboard a 40 ft yacht that had run aground off Waterfoot Pier near Red Bay in county Antrim. The yacht was travelling from Oban in Scotland to Howth Yacht Club when it ran aground.

The call for help had originally come last night at 8.55pm and Red Bay RNLI was launched to assist. On arrival they found the yacht hard aground at Waterfoot Pier. The lifeboat went to assist along with a nearby fishing vessel but with a low tide they found that the yacht was hard aground and stuck fast.

With conditions good and visibility clear the lifeboat crew shot the anchors off the yacht to secure it and ensure that it would remain safe during the evening. They checked that the two American crew aboard were unharmed and the Coastguard kept in touch with them during the night. With the tide set to rise at 5am this morning Red Bay RNLI launched again and was able to free the yacht from the rocks. The two men were taken to a nearby mooring before they will continue on their journey to Howth in Dublin.

Commenting on the callout Red Bay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Paddy McLaughlin said, ‘Thankfully conditions were good last night but we were concerned that they were due to change this morning. The lifeboat launched at 5am when the tide had risen and the yacht was safely refloated with no damage sustained. The two men who are none the worse for their ordeal will be able to continue on their journey to Howth this morning.’

#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI rescued a kitesurfer who got into difficulty on Ballycotton Bay on Monday afternoon (2 November).

The volunteer crew were requested to launch both their all-weather and inshore lifeboats by the Irish Coast Guard at 12.30pm and go to the assistance of a kitesurfer who was in difficulty but in no immediate danger in Ballycotton Bay on Co Cork.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted the kitesurfer struggling due to a lack of wind. Weather conditions at the time were described as overcast and calm.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation before bringing the kitesurfer on board the inshore lifeboat and safely back to shore.

Speaking following the callout, Ballycotton RNLI coxswain Eolan Walsh said: "We would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm today. Their quick thinking ensured the lifeboats were launched and that there was a positive outcome."

#RNLI - Red Bay RNLI has rescued three men yesterday afternoon (Sunday 1 November) after they got into difficulty on a 4m speedboat which was drifting out to sea off the North Coast.

The volunteer lifeboat crew was alerted by Belfast Coastguard just before noon and requested to go the aid of three people on a broken down vessel which was lost somewhere off Cushendun.

One of the casualties had managed to raise the alarm with a relative using his mobile phone.

The inshore lifeboat, helmed by Kevin Allen and with crew members Stephen Conway, James McLaughlin and Owen McKinley onboard, launched within minutes and made its way to towards Cushendun.

Despite an extensive search on scene the lifeboat crew could not locate any vessel in distress in the specific search area.

The lifeboat crew widened their search and requested the assistance of the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118.

After searching for two-and-a-half hours in what were described as difficult weather conditions, the lifeboat crew finally located the vessel some four miles off Garron Point at Red Bay. The boat was drifting out in blustery sea squall conditions.

The three men, who were not in immediate danger but suffering from shock, were taken onboard the lifeboat and brought safely back to Red Bay where they were made comfortable.

Speaking following the callout, Red Bay RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Paddy McLaughlin said: "These three men were extremely lucky this afternoon as their small vessel had broken down and was rapidly drifting out to sea.

The callout was particularly challenging for the lifeboat crew as the casualties were unsure of where they were lost and it took a considerable amount of time to find them.

"Our crew is highly trained and using their navigation skills particularly, they were able to locate the casualties, all of whom were relieved to see the lifeboat, and bring them safely back to shore this afternoon."

McLaughlin added: "We would remind anyone taking to the water to carry a means of communication and plan your trip in advance so you are familiar with the area should you get into any difficulty and need to request assistance."

#RNLI - Today – 1 November 2015 – marks 100 years since the end one of the most daring days in the history of Rosslare RNLI, when the station's volunteers rescued six crews within a single 24-hour period.

With the Wexford coast being assailed by easterly Force 7 gales on Hallowe'en that climbed to Force 10 overnight, and vessels in Rosslare Harbour dragging their anchors towards danger, the lifeboat crew rowed right into the thick of it - plucking crews from schooners and other vessels that would soon after be bound for the seabed.

The RNLI has much more on the story HERE.

An extensive search is being carried out of an area south west of the Isle of Man after an emergency code was received from an unknown aircraft.

UK Coastguard is overseeing the search after the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre at RAF Kinloss called to say that the aircraft had been lost on the radar.

A search between Northern Ireland and the south west of the Isle of Man is being carried out.

Two RNLI boats, one from Newcastle (Northern Ireland) and Port St Mary (Isle of Man), the Irish Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Dublin and two Coastguard Rescue Teams, one from Portaferry (UK Coastguard) and Castletown (IOM Coastguard) are all involved.

Ryan Gray, senior maritime operations officer at the UK Coastguard said: ‘We also issued a Mayday relay in the area which means that other merchant shipping are also keeping a lookout for this aircraft.’

‘This is the first time we’ve worked with the Isle of Man Coastguard since joining the national network.'

The search remains ongoing.