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.

Three fishermen were brought to safety by Wicklow RNLI on Tuesday evening (21 February) after their vessel developed mechanical problems seven miles south of Wicklow port.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings at 5.20 pm from the South Quay as darkness fell and put to sea under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The lifeboat crew located the fishing vessel fifteen minutes after launching five miles east of Wicklow Head. Conditions in the area at the time were wind southerly in direction force 4, with a moderate sea and good visibility.

Coxswain Keogh carried out a quick assessment on the 18-metre vessel, it was found that the steering had locked, and this was preventing the fishermen from getting back to port under their own power. Their only option was to drop anchor and call for assistance.

A tow line was established, and the course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was brought alongside the East pier at 7.20 pm and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Wicklow RNLI, Tommy Dover said: ‘This was a quick response by the crew this evening, which resulted in three fishermen coming ashore safely. It was also the first ‘Shout’ for Ian Thompson as a new navigator, the role is very important at sea, where time is important and accurate headings are required to ensure the lifeboat gets to a casualty as quickly as possible; we were delighted he recently qualified as an all-weather lifeboat navigator after completing a rigorous training programme.’

John Sillery, the long-serving Head Launcher at Wicklow Lifeboat Station, has retired after 34 years of dedicated service to the RNLI.

John joined the RNLI on New Year’s Day 1989 as a volunteer winch operator. He was appointed head launcher at Wicklow and took charge on the slip of all launching and recovery activities for the all-weather Tyne class lifeboat RNLB Annie Blaker.

John Sillery Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard

In lifeboat history, John will be remembered for launching the last operation Tyne Class slipway lifeboat in the RNLI fleet, at 1:30pm on Sunday 28 April 2019 to the sound of loud applause, John Sillery, struck the pin which released the Annie Blaker down the slipway and into the water for the final time, ending an era that spanned over three decades at Wicklow and signalling the retirement of the last Tyne class lifeboat from the RNLI fleet.

2019 saw the arrival of the new Shannon class lifeboat at Wicklow and the same year John Sillery received his Long Service Award from the RNLI. This was in recognition for his commitment and dedication to the charity that saves lives at sea.

With the arrival of the new Shannon class lifeboat, John was responsible for launching and recovering operations at the South Quay berth.

To mark John’s retirement, family, friends and lifeboat crew gathered at the Wicklow Golf Club to celebrate his long service as a volunteer

Wicklow RNLI Operation’s Manager, Mary Aldridge paid tribute to John’s commitment over the past 34 years. Flowers were also presented to Maria Sillery, John’s wife, a token to say thank you for supporting John and sharing him with us over the years. Coxswain Nick Keogh also presented John with a specially commissioned lamp in the shape of a lighthouse, a gift from the crew to say thank you.

John Sillery with his wife Maria and family at the retirement party in the Wicklow Golf Club Photo: Tommy Dover/RNLI

We are indebted to John for his service at Wicklow RNLI. Since 1989 he has launched the lifeboat countless times that resulted in the saving of many lives along the Wicklow coast.

Second Coxswain Ciaran Doyle best described John during a speech on the night saying “John Sillery was Solid as a rock; he was always the first person to arrive at the station during a shout ready to launch the lifeboat. Thank you for the years.”

Flying Fifteen sailor John MacAree was part of a major fundraising effort in aid of Wicklow RNLI by the members of Swim Smooth Ireland, who presented a cheque for more than €10,000 at the weekend.

The swimming club’s big charity swim took place on Saturday 10 December at the Killashee Hotel in Naas, where members swam 5km or 10km in the pool where they regularly train, as the Wicklow People reports.

Smooth Swim Ireland chose the Wicklow lifeboat as their fundraising recipient as Wicklow Harbour is a used for some of the members’ training during the summer months.

On Sunday morning (29 January) the lifeboat team said they were delighted to welcome Maxine Stain from Swim Smooth Ireland along with members of the swimming squad to present a cheque for €10,640 to Wicklow RNLI.

Karen Boyle of Wicklow RNLI’s fundraising branch accepted the donation on behalf of the RNLI — before some of the swimmers took the opportunity for a cold-water dip in the harbour.

Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat assisted fishing vessels during two separate callouts on Friday (2 December).

The first came at 8:15am following a pager alert, with the all-weather lifeboat Joanna and Henry Williams slipping its moorings at the South Quay and proceeding to the casualties’ last reported position some 16 miles offshore near the East Codling buoy.

Weather conditions in the area had a slight sea state with good visibility.

Coxswain Ciaran Doyle carried out an assessment of the vessel which was found to have a damaged gearbox and shaft.

As the vessel had no propulsion and unable to return to port under its own power, it was decided the best course of action was to tow the vessel back to Wicklow.

A towline was established just after 9am and course was set for Wicklow harbour. The fishing vessel was brought alongside the East Pier just before noon and the two fishermen onboard landed safely ashore.

The second callout was just after 3.35pm to a fishing vessel drifting near the entrance of Wicklow Harbour.

Two lifeboat crew were transferred onto the vessel, which was found to be taking on water and in danger of sinking.

Speaking after the callout, coxswain Doyle said: “We deployed our pump to supplement the vessels own pump to clear the hold of water, and once it was up and running, we were able to tow the vessel to the South Quay.”

The fishing vessel was secured alongside the quay just after 4pm and the fishermen landed safely ashore.

Wicklow RNLI press officer Tommy Dover said: “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 coastguard.”

Wicklow RNLI went to the assistance of a lone sailor on Tuesday morning (20 September) after his vessel got fouled in ropes.

The all-weather lifeboat Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings from the south quay at 8.50am following a pager alert and proceeded to sea under the command of coxswain Ciaran Doyle and a volunteer crew.

Twenty minutes later the casualty vessel was located seven miles offshore near the South India Buoy. Conditions in the area were good with calm sea and good visibility.

The lone sailor on the 12-metre motor vessel had left Wicklow Harbour a couple of hours earlier and was returning to Wales, when the propellor got fouled in ropes and the boat lost all propulsion.

The coxswain carried out an assessment and, as the vessel had no propulsion, it was decided the best course of action was to tow the casualty back to Wicklow harbour.

Two volunteer crew were transferred onto the motor vessel to assist with the tow line. The motor cruiser was then towed to Wicklow and brought alongside the East Pier at 10.55am where the sailor was landed safely ashore.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer Tommy Dover said: “The sailor had attempted to free the obstruction, but he was unable to unravel the rope from around the propellor. He did the right thing calling for assistance and we were happy to help.

“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 999/112 or use Marine VHF Channel 16 and ask for the coastguard.”

It’s emerged that Wicklow County Council has investigated a large wooden structure overlooking the popular Magheramore Beach for potential breach of planning rules.

According to TheJournal.ie, the probe was on the foot of complaints raised by locals over the house-like structure on lands purchased last year by Paddy McKillen Jr of the Press Up hospitality group and Oakmount property firm.

The council has since confirmed that the building is part of a temporary film set, for which planing permission was not required according to a spokesperson for Oakmount.

But locals remain concerned about promises to remove the building at the end of the film shoot, as well as access to the beach.

Access had been a primary concern during ahead of the public auction of the lands, which separate Magheramore Beach from the local community, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

TheJournal.ie has more on the story HERE.

Wicklow RNLI volunteers brought five people to safety during two call-outs on Saturday (13 August) after their boats suffered engine failure off the Wicklow coast.

The first call-out came at 4:30 pm, when the all-weather lifeboat slipped its moorings from the south quay and proceeded north to investigate a report of a vessel drifting south of Greystones Harbour.

A small angling boat was located a short time later south of Greystones Harbour near the Breaches buoy. The weather at the time was excellent, with good visibility and calm conditions.

A quick inspection was carried out by Coxswain Nick Keogh and the vessel with three people on board was found to have suffered engine failure and was unable to get back to shore without assistance. The boat was taken in tow to Greystones harbour by the lifeboat, and the three people were landed safely ashore at 5:40 pm.

The second call out came as the lifeboat was arriving back at Wicklow Harbour at 6:20 pm. Coxswain Keogh put to sea again, this time heading south towards Maghermore Beach.

The lifeboat located a rigid inflatable boat with two people on board anchored off Magheramore beach after it suffered engine failure. The rib was taken in tow back to Wicklow Harbour and the two people were landed safely ashore at 7:30 pm.

Wicklow Inshore RNLI lifeboat brought two paddle boarders to safety on Sunday evening (7 August) after they got into difficulties near Wicklow Head.

The lifeboat launched at 7.35 pm after members of the public walking on Wicklow Head saw the paddleboarders in difficulty and made a 999 call to the Coast Guard.

The paddle boarders were located five minutes later near Wicklow Head. As the tide had turned, they were unable to paddle against the current and were being pushed further offshore. Conditions at the time were wind south westerly force three with a moderate sea.

The two paddleboarders were transferred onto the lifeboat, where the crew conducted a quick medical assessment. No medical assistance was required, and the two casualties were landed safely ashore at the lifeboat station shortly after 8 pm.

Wicklow RNLI ILB landing the two paddle boarders safely at Wicklow Photo: Wicklow RNLI

Speaking about the call-outs, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Wicklow RNLI, Tommy Dover said: ‘Our advice to paddle boarders is always to wear a lifejacket and make sure you carry a communications device.’

Just as Helm Paul Sillery, Matt Doyle and John Stapleton completed refuelling the inshore lifeboat, pagers activated again to launch the all-weather lifeboat. So, the three volunteers quickly changed into their all-weather lifeboat kit and join Coxswain Nick Keogh, Lisa ‘O Leary and Andrew Carlin on the second callout.

The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat slipped its moorings from the south quay at 8:20 pm and proceeded north, following the Coast Guard pager alert to a report of a yacht with mechanical problems near the Six Mile Point.

The lifeboat was alongside the drifting yacht with two sailors at 8:45 pm and after a quick assessment by the Coxswain, the yacht was found to have engine failure and unable to get into port under its own power. It was taken in tow back to Wicklow Harbour.

The yacht was secured alongside the East pier at Wicklow harbour as darkness fell at 9:30 pm this evening and the two sailors were landed safely ashore.

Wicklow RNLI brought three sailors to safety after their yacht lost propulsion from a rope-fouled propellor off the Wicklow coast.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its moorings at the South quay at 10:28 pm on Monday 25 July under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh and proceeded to the stricken vessel's last reported position.

Thirty minutes later, the lifeboat volunteers located the 14-metre yacht entangled in ropes, seven miles offshore near the South India buoy. Weather conditions at the time were wind north-westerly force five with a moderate sea. The lifeboat crew assisted the sailors and freed the yacht from the obstruction.

Speaking after the callout Coxswain, Nick Keogh said: ‘As rope remained in the propellor and the yacht was unable to make any headway, we decided the best course of action was to tow the boat back to Wicklow harbour.’

A towline was established, and the yacht was brought alongside the East pier shortly before 00:45 am on Tuesday morning, and the three sailors were landed safely ashore.