The Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station opened its doors and lifeboats to the public on the August Bank Holiday Monday for the first time in four years due to Covid-19.

Despite the mixed weather, it turned out to be a hugely successful day.

The station's volunteers had worked hard in the months leading up to the event to ensure that the facilities were ready to welcome the public. The fundraising team provided endless supplies of tea, coffee, and sweet treats, while the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew provided tours of the lifeboats and answered any questions asked by children and adults alike.

Two Shannon Class lifeboats on display at the Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station Open Day

The public was given the opportunity to explore both Shannon class lifeboats, the RNLB Ruth and David Arthur, and RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams, along with the D class Denis Audrey. The volunteer crew were happy to answer any questions, discuss the equipment onboard, and inform the public of the roles they have within the station.

During a simulated rescue in the harbour, the public was shown the capabilities of the lifeboats, including slow speed transfers between the lifeboats, man overboard drills, and the manoeuvrability of the boats.

The RNLI lifeboat demonstration in Wicklow Harbour

The station's mascot, Stormy Stan, also made an appearance, meeting, greeting, and posing for photos with all the children that were down for a look. The crew also took the opportunity to take a crew photo.

In addition to the RNLI lifeboat station's open day, the Gardaí, the Garda Sub Aqua Unit, Civil Defense, and the Coast Guard were also present, demonstrating their equipment and answering questions from the public.

Crowds gathered for the Wicklow Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Open Day

Volunteer lifeboat press officer Connie O’Gara spoke about the event, saying, "We’d like to thank the public for visiting us for the open day. Considering the torrential rain at times, it was great to see so many people come down and have a look around. It takes a lot of time to organize, but it is a nice way for the crew to say thanks for all the support and donations we receive throughout the year."

The open day was a great success, allowing the public to gain insight into the vital work carried out by the RNLI lifeboat station and other emergency services.

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station is set to open its doors to the public on Sunday, August 6th, for its annual Open Day. This much-anticipated event has been absent for the past four years due to Covid-19 restrictions, but the volunteers, supporters, and fundraisers are excited to welcome visitors back once again. From 1 pm to 5 pm, guests can participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of the station and its two lifeboats. The volunteer crewmembers will be available to discuss their specialised training, demonstrate the equipment used on the lifeboats, and answer any questions.

The Open Day will feature demonstrations and displays by the local Emergency Services, showcasing their life-saving equipment. The lifeboat shop will also be open, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the lifeboat mascot, Stormy Stan. Children can enjoy face painting, magic acts, and fun entertainment provided by Codling Wind Farm. The Wicklow Sailing Club has also kindly provided an area for sensory play activities for younger children.

This event is an excellent opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a day out while supporting the Wicklow lifeboat station.

Arklow RNLI is also holding its Open Day on the same day, making it ideal for lifeboat enthusiasts to visit two RNLI stations in the Garden County of Wicklow.

Tommy Dover, the Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, expressed his gratitude for the community's support, stating that they "do what we do thanks to generous local support. The Open Day is our way of saying thank you."

The Open Day promises to be a great day out for all ages, and the volunteers, supporters, and fundraisers look forward to welcoming visitors to the Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched at teatime on Friday evening (14 July) following reports of a dog in the water south of Wicklow harbour.

The alarm was raised by gardaí in Wicklow who were concerned that the dog owners would instinctively try to rescue their pet and risk injury.

At 6.32pm the inshore lifeboat launched and was followed a short time later by the all-weather lifeboat. Both proceeded south to the foot of cliffs at Wicklow Golf Course.

The inshore lifeboat was on scene four minutes after launching in a position 200m south of Travelahawk beach.

In challenging sea conditions, helm Alan Goucher was able to get the lifeboat ashore and locate the dog.

The inshore lifeboat volunteers made repeated attempts to retrieve the dog, but it retreated into caves on the shoreline each time.

Eventually the dog made its own way back up the cliff where it was retrieved by its anxious owners. With the dog back in safe hands, the lifeboat crews were stood down by the coastguard and returned to station.

The call-out was a milestone for trainee Liz Thomas as she went to sea on her first ‘shout’ as an all-weather lifeboat volunteer.

Speaking after the call-out, Wicklow RNLI press officer Tommy Dover said: “We were happy to help and would remind dog owners to ensure to look after their own personal safety and do not get into danger trying to attempt a rescue themselves.

“Always keep your dog on a lead when you’re close to cliff edges or fast -lowing rivers. Don’t go after your dog if they go into the water. If you are worried about your dog, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

While Wicklow RNLI's volunteer crew were undergoing assessments on Wednesday evening (5 July), they were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the assistance of a 40ft yacht with five people onboard which had lost all power on the Codling Bank.

The all-weather lifeboat Ruth and David Arthur had launched on exercise at 7pm under the command of coxswain Alan Goucher with five crew members and an RNLI assessor trainer onboard.

During the assessment, shortly after 8.30pm the lifeboat was diverted to go to the assistance of the yacht which was losing all power and had three crew who were suffering quite badly from sea sickness.

The assessment was quickly and safely brought to a finish and the crew made their best speed to the casualty near the Codling Bank, some 10 miles to the east of Wicklow Harbour. It was established that the casualty vessel had lost all power, had become unable to use its VHF radio and had no lighting.

Given the loss of power, the seasick crew and closing darkness, the coxswain decided to take the vessel under tow and make way for the nearest safe port at Wicklow Harbour.

Conditions on scene were described as blowing a southwesterly Force 4-5 wind with up to a one-metre swell.

The tow took approximately three hours, with the casualty vessel being safely secured alongside shortly after midnight. The crew of the casualty vessel were brought into the lifeboat station to be looked after while transport was arranged to bring them to their destination.

The incomplete parts of the assessment will now be rescheduled for another date.

Speaking after the call-out, Goucher said: “The crew were incredibly professional. The change in mindset from assessment to rescue happened instantly, allowing for a successful rescue. I look forward to the crew completing their assessments at a future date.”

Three fishermen were brought to safety by Wicklow RNLI on Tuesday afternoon (27 June), after their 14-metre vessel got into difficulties ten miles northeast of Wicklow harbour.

The RNLI relief fleet all-weather lifeboat RNLB Ruth and David Arthur put to sea shortly before 11.45 am under the command of Coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew, following a launch request from the Coast Guard.

The alarm was raised after the skipper reported that his fishing vessel was fouled in ropes anchored to the seabed near the Codling Bank and required assistance.

Wicklow lifeboat was alongside the fishing vessel one hour after launching. Conditions on scene were wind south southeast force 4-5 with moderate sea.

The lifeboat crew were able to free the fishing vessel from the rope obstruction, but rope remained tangled in the propeller.

Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Ciaran Doyle said: ‘As the vessel was unable to return to port under its own power the only option was to take it in tow.’

A tow line was established at 12.35pm and course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was secured alongside the Packet pier just after 3pm and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore.

The lifeboat returned to station where trainee Nathan ‘O Connor went ashore after completing his first callout as an RNLI volunteer.

Both Wicklow RNLI Inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched this afternoon (Sunday, 25 June) after the Irish Coast Guard received a distress call on Marine VHF Channel 16, reporting an 8-metre racing yacht had capsized during a squall in Wicklow bay, and one person was trapped under a sail.

The Inshore lifeboat launched at 4.10 pm and was on scene two minutes later. Weather conditions in the area were poor at the time as a thunder and lightning storm with strong gusting wind and rain passed overhead.

Speaking after the call-out RNLI Helm Alan Goucher said: ’As we approached the partially submerged vessel, five people were visible in the water. We recovered four, but the fifth person was tangled in the rigging, so lifeboat volunteer Peter Byrne entered the water and managed to free the person from the obstruction.’

With the five sailors safely onboard the Inshore lifeboat, they were landed ashore at Wicklow lifeboat station and handed into the care of a NAS Paramedic for a medical assessment. Thankfully they required no further treatment.

The all-weather lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh stood by the sinking yacht and placed a marker buoy on the section still visible above water. They were stood down by the Coast Guard shortly after 5pm and returned to station.

Commenting on the callout, Wicklow RNLI Press officer Tommy Dover said:’ This was a fast response by our volunteers today, who assembled and launched within minutes following the pager alert. It was also the first ‘Shout’ for our trainees Derek Byrne and Robbie Quinn as they kitted up on their first callout on the all-weather lifeboat.’

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Wednesday Morning (7th June) after their vessel developed mechanical problems twelve miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Ruth and David Arthur slipped its mooring at 10.45 am to reports of a fishing boat with engine failure. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel forty minutes after launching in a position 12 miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a north easterly direction force 4-5, with moderate choppy seas and good visibility.

After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain Keogh it was decided a tow was the best option given the casualty vessels engine failure.

The tow was established, and a course set for Wicklow Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 1.45pm.

The All-Weather Lifeboat was then made ready for the next callout.

This was the first callout for RNLB Ruth and David Arthur in Wicklow. It is based in Wicklow temporarily while RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams receives some planned maintenance work.

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety on Saturday afternoon (29 May), after their vessel developed mechanical problems three miles east of Greystones Harbour.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna & Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 3.43 pm to reports of an angling boat with engine failure. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel forty minutes after launching in a position four miles east southeast of Greystones Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a south easterly direction force 3-4, with moderate seas and good visibility.

After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain Keogh, it was decided a tow was the best option given the casualty vessel's engine failure.

Speaking after the callout, Nick Keogh said, “As Greystones Harbour was the nearest safe harbour, I decided this was the best place to bring the casualty”.

The tow was established, and a course set for Greystones Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 4.53 pm. Greystones Coast Guard unit was also there to help secure the vessel alongside.

At 4.56pm the All-Weather Lifeboat left Greystones, and arrived back in Wicklow Harbour at 5.30 pm where the boat was made ready for the next callout.

Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams was called out to assist a lone sailor on Thursday afternoon (13 April) after his vessel suffered steering failure.

The lifeboat slipped its moorings from the south quay at 2:50 pm following a crew pager alert and proceeded to sea under the command of Coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew.

Twelve minutes later the casualty vessel was located one-mile south-east of Wicklow Head Lighthouse. Visibility in the area was good with westerly wind force four and moderate sea.

The lone sailor on the 11-metre yacht was on passage from Dublin to Kerry and was passing Wicklow Head lighthouse when the steering failed. He then contacted the Coast Guard and asked for assistance.

Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Ciaran Doyle said, ‘We carried out a quick assessment of the vessel and as it had no steering, the only viable option was to tow the yacht back to Wicklow port. Alan Goucher was also transferred onto the yacht to assist the sailor while the boat was under tow.’

The yacht was secured alongside the East pier just before 4 pm and the sailor was landed safely ashore.

Speaking about the call out, Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, Tommy Dover said: ‘The sailor today was well equipped and was able to contact the Coast Guard for assistance; when going afloat we would remind everyone to check their engine and fuel, always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a means of calling for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Getting Wicklow RNLI lifeboat to a casualty and getting them home is the basis of what Lifeboat volunteers do, but when there is an ill or injured person to care for, what kind of training do RNLI have for that?

A group of eleven of volunteer crew took on the challenge of learning the skills, procedures and techniques required to pass the RNLI’s rigorous Casualty Care training course. They gave up approximately 30 hours of their time over the course of two weeks to enable them to complete the training successfully. Wicklow RNLI welcomed Stephen O’Flaherty of RNLI Casualty Care Trainer to the station to conduct the training.

A group of eleven Wicklow RNI crew took on the challenge of learning the skills, procedures and techniques required to pass the RNLI’s rigorous Casualty Care training course

The course is designed to enable crew to provide correct and effective care to a casualty until such time as they can be handed over to the expert care of paramedics or doctors.

Sometimes the care given takes place in hostile and unrelenting conditions adding an extra layer of complexity to the training required by volunteers.

The training revolves around hands on practical applications rather than concentrating on complex theory. The RNLI employ the use of check cards to assist its volunteers in carrying out the proper care. This allows the crew to concentrate on the practical application of Casualty Care without having to try and remember complex procedures in the middle of a difficult rescue.

During the training each crewmember must pass practical and written assessments to demonstrate their own individual skills. The final part of the assessments involves the crewmembers working in pods together to asses and treat a casualty in a practical scenario.