#rnli – Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat launched at 05:20 this morning 12 Feb 2013 to participate in a search for a missing Spanish fisherman.

The Alan Massey, proceeded to an area 20 miles SW of Mizen Head in West Cork.  Alongside the Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat, two Irish Naval vessels, Coastguard helicopters, an Irish Airforce fixed wing aircraft and a fleet of trawlers the lifeboat carried out a prolonged search pattern.

Weather did not impede the search as it was overcast but clear with light winds and a heavy swell.

By 12 noon with no prospect of a successful outcome the Coastguard called off the search and the lifeboat made the 40–mile passage back to her new berth at Baltimore Lifeboat Station. On board Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell, Aidan Bushe, Pat Collins, Don O'Donovan, Micheal Cottrell and Eoin Ryan.

This week marks the first anniversary of the Alan Massey's arrival in Baltimore.

#Coastguard - The Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 115 helicopter was tasked overnight to search for a missing Spanish fisherman who fell overboard from his fishing trawler off the southwest coast in the early hours of this morning.

98FM is reporting the latest news on this incident, saying that the man went into the sea some 25 miles off Mizen Head.

The alarm was raised around 4am and the coastguard station at Valentia is co-ordinating the search and rescue effort, with RNLI lifeboats from Baltimore and Castletownbere in West Cork assisting.

#RNLI - The RNLI is currently recruiting lifeguards to work on 10 Northern Ireland beaches for the forthcoming season including seven beaches along the Causeway Coast.

The successful candidates will become part of the RNLI’s beach lifeguard team who will monitor and advise the public of any dangers or hazards and carry out rescues.



The charity provides a seasonal service on seven beaches along the Causeway Coast including Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart Strand, Portrush West Bay & East Strand and Whiterocks.

This is the third year the lifeboat charity’s lifeguards have provided a lifeguard service in Northern Ireland, offering beach-goers and water users a seamless rescue service from the beach to open sea working alongside RNLI lifeboats.  



The closing date for applicants is Sunday 17 February 2013. A detailed description of the RNLI lifeguard role is available at www.rnli.org/lifeguards.



A key part of an RNLI lifeguard's job is to spot dangers before they develop, and 95% of their role is preventative. Their presence on the beach provides reassurance to the public while also offering any help or advice to help people enjoy their beach experience in a safe environment.



To many beach users they are a reassuring presence but they also carry out many other important functions. They assess the conditions on the beach and place zone flags and warning signs to advise the public. They carry out rescues to help people who have got into difficulty in the water or who need assistance.  They also provide first aid, help with lost children, give advice, report hazards, and assist with beach safety and education programmes. They train and preform to their duties to the highest RNLI standards.



The RNLI has about 50 positions available and many former lifeguards are expected to return for the new season. However, there are a number of positions vacant and the charity would like to hear from interested people. The minimum age for applicants is 16 years and candidates must have a high level of fitness.  



Mike Grocott, RNLI lifeguard manager for Northern Ireland, said: “RNLI lifeguards are a vital part of the charity’s lifesaving service. Last year they dealt with 126 incidents and assisted 142 people on the Causeway Coast.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for people to do a job that is both fulfilling and enjoyable. Our lifeguards speak to hundreds of people over the course of the season and get the opportunity to do something important and rewarding in the community.



"The ideal applicant will already hold an International Lifesaving Approved Beach Lifeguard Award but if candidates need to get qualified we can put them in touch with local providers of courses.”



Limavady and Coleraine Councils along with the National Trust provide funding towards the lifeguards’ wages while the RNLI funds the training and equipment.

#RNLI - The volunteer lifeboat crew with Rosslare Harbour RNLI launched at 10.30am on Wednesday morning (6 February) to a fishing vessel drifting dangerously close to the shore in a force 8 gale (see video below).

The vessel was located about a mile from the lifeboat station in Rosslare Harbour and the lifeboat was on scene within minutes.

Two volunteer lifeboat crew were transferred to the drifting vessel whose moorings were unable to hold due to an unexpected change in the wind direction, and brought it under control in severe weather conditions.



The vessel was brought safely to the main harbour and secured. The callout last just over two hours.



Commenting on the callout, Rosslare Harbour RNLI deputy launching authority David Maloney said: "Weather conditions this morning in Rosslare Bay were very challenging and the crew showed great skill in bringing the vessel to safety. 

"If the lifeboat had not launched, I have no doubt that the vessel would have been washed ashore."

#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was launched at the request of Valentia Coast Guard to investigate whether anyone was in difficulty on the lake, after they were informed that three sustained blasts from a whistle were heard from shore at Urra Point.

The lifeboat launched at 19:40 with Helm Eleanor Hooker, Ben Ronayne and David Moore on board.  Winds were northerly, Force 3.  The Gardai confirmed there were no reports of anyone overdue, although a lake boat had been seen departing Dromineer in the direction of Urra at around 17:00hrs.  The crew carried out a search along the Urra shoreline and released a white flare to light the search area.  The lifeboat then searched the water and shore around the Corragheen Islands and extended the search downwind of the initial search area in Dromineer Bay, where the crew launched a second flare.  Having found no evidence of a vessel or persons in distress, Valentia Coast Guard decided to stand down the lifeboat.

The Lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 22.00hrs.

#RNLI - Dun Laoghaire RNLI will feature on RTÉ‘s youth programme Elev8 next week.

A number of the lifeboat station’s volunteer crew took time out on Monday to spend the afternoon filming a segment for the show, which will be broadcast at 4pm next Thursday.

The segment, called 'Fact Finders', follows presenter Sean Regan and 10-year-old Justin Lazarev from Dublin as they go head-to-head to find out as much as they can about the RNLI. They will be brought back to the studio tomorrow and tested on how much they have learned.

Justin and Sean were welcomed to the station by Stephen Wynne, Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat pperations manager, and given a tour around both the inshore and all-weather bases by Billy Scully, Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat education and visits officer and a former member of the crew.

The reporters were also brought on board the all-weather lifeboat which was launched under Coxswain David Branigan with mechanic Rory Bolton and crew members Jack Shanahan, Ronan Adams and Dave Farrell on board.

Farrell, who is also the volunteer lifeboat press officer at the station, said filming with RTÉ’s Elev8 was a great opportunity to showcase the volunteer ethos that exists at Dun Laoghaire and indeed the many other communities around the coast.

“Volunteers come from all walks of life within their communities,” he said. “The crew here in Dun Laoghaire will readily exchange leisure, comfort and sleep for cold, wet and fatigue as is required.”

Last year Dun Laoghaire RNLI brought the highest number of people to safety in Ireland, with 76 individuals rescued by their volunteer lifeboat crews during 46 callouts.

Speaking following Monday’s filming, Justin’s mother Adriana said: “It is so refreshing to see that there are still people out there with a big heart who would risk their own life to save others without looking for a financial gain.

“I was really impressed by the dedication, courage and humanity that you all are sharing. Fair play to you all.”

Elev8 can be seen at 4pm next Thursday 7 February on RTÉ Two.

#RNLI - The sinking of the Princess Victoria on 31 January 1953, with the loss of 135 lives, was the worst maritime disaster in the waters of the British Isles.

The Donaghadee lifeboat Sir Samuel Kelly rescued 34 from the disaster which occurred in the North Channel en route to the Port of Larne, with its coxswain Hugh Nelson being awarded a Bronze Medal and the British Empire Medal for the skill, courage and initiative shown during the rescue.


The Sir Samuel Kelly still lies in Donaghdee, and last weekend a number of events were organised to raise funds and awareness of the need to find a permanent sheltered home for this historic lifeboat.


A marquee supplied by Ards BC had been placed next to the Sir Samuel Kelly and a committee of local supporters organised a weekend of events.

On Friday 25 January a talk to local school children was followed in the evening by a commemoration concert which featured the Donaghadee Male Voice choir and the Festival Brass Band.

On Saturday evening there was a film show with a Pathé news clip from 1953 showing the Kelly bringing in survivors followed by a 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Sunday saw the Donaghadee RNLI Saxon crew going to sea to lay a wreath at the spot where the Princess Victoria sank. They were joined by lifeboats from Larne and Portpatrick, and a short service of remembrance was led by Donaghadee 1st Presbyterian minister Colin Anderson.

On returning to harbour, the crews joined a combined church service of remembrance in the marquee with over 350 people in attendance. All funds raised will go to the Sir Samuel Kelly Restoration Fund.

#RNLI - Kilkeel RNLI rescued a windsurfer who got into difficulty in Carlingford, Co Louth yesterday (Tuesday 29 January).

The charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard shortly after 2pm following a report that a windsurfer had got into difficulty in Carlingford Lough.



Launching their inshore lifeboat immediately, the crew encountered very unfavourable weather, with strong westerly winds of between force six and seven.



The lifeboat proceeded up the lough where they found and retrieved the windsurfer who had stayed by his board. The crew then attempted to retrieve the sail and board but couldn’t due to the windy weather conditions. They instead proceeded to tow the board into Greenore where the local coastguard took over.



Despite being in the water for approximately an hour, the casualty was described as being in reasonably good health.



Roy Teggarty, Kilkeel RNLI lifeboat operations manager, paid tribute to the lifeboat crew for their efforts in what was a challenging rescue:

"This was a day with difficult conditions because of the strong winds," he said. "It was mainly difficult to keep the lifeboat steady when retrieving the casualty so this rescue involved expert boat handling by all involved."

#RNLI - RTÉ’s popular agricultural programme Ear to the Ground paid a visit to Lough Swilly RNLI recently which will feature on this week's episode on Thursday evening.

Set to feature is local man Francis Burns, who along with running a successful farm hoof care business also volunteers with Lough Swilly RNLI’s lifeboat crew.



The programme, which looks at issues concerning agriculture and the rural community, had planned to spend a day with Burns carrying out his job – but when producers heard about his role as a volunteer lifeboat crew member, they decided to include his role with the RNLI too.



Burns and fellow Lough Swilly lifeboat volunteers Eamonn Mahon, Michael Doherty, Tommy Cooper and Francis Bourne showed their guests around the station and demonstrated a lifeboat launch for them. 

While most visitors to the station are particularly interested in the RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the Ear to the Ground crew were particularly impressed with the RNLI’s huge custom-built tractor, which the lifeboat crew uses to launch and recover the lifeboat.

The massive tyres are filled with water and antifreeze to make sure it stays on the ground when it enters the water.



Speaking about the filming, Burns said: “I’ve wanted to be a member of Lough Swilly RNLI ever since we got a day off school to come down and see the new all-weather lifeboat arriving at the station.

"Lifeboats are in my family as my cousin George O’Hagan is also the second coxswain on the lifeboat.

"It will be great to be able to show people how lifeboat volunteers can work in the agricultural sector and still be able to train and go out on the lifeboats to help rescue people.”



Programme director Liam Lavelle added: “We are delighted to be able to include the RNLI on Ear to the Ground. It’s a great story about people who volunteer to save lives. 

"In our programme we try and reflect what people are doing in rural communities. Many of these communities touch the sea and this work is an important part of Francis’s story."



The programme is due to air on RTÉ One this Thursday evening 31 January at 8.30pm.

#GalwayBay - A post-mortem was scheduled for today (25 January) to determine the cause of the death of a man recovered from Galway Bay yesterday, according to the Irish Examiner.

As Galway Bay FM reported yesterday, the body was taken from the sea off Barna in a search operation mounted by the Galway RNLI lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard after a friend reported him missing.

The man has last been seen on Barna beach earlier in the day. His body was recovered some two miles out to sea around 2.30pm yesterday.

Gardaí at Salthill are investigating the incident.