During Sunday 14th August between 11am and 4 pm the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be hosting a free Lifejacket Clinic at Bangor Marina.The check is well worth while as last year the bulk of jackets tested in Cork and Dublin failed the test.

Anyone owning a lifejacket is invited to bring it along to the clinic and have it checked free of charge for safety.

During past lifejacket clinics, safety checks have revealed some astonishing potential life threatening maintenance issues.

This year Peter Bullick, a volunteer RNLI Sea Safety Officer and his dedicated team will be on hand to offer free lifejacket safety checks. They will also offer impartial advice on what maintenance action to take.

It was a proud day for Bangor's senior RNLI Helmsman Kyle Marshal when he received an invite to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last week. The Royal invite for Kyle and his wife Paula was in recognition of their long and devoted service to the RNLI over many years.

With over 28 years of service as a volunteer with RNLI Bangor Lifeboat, Kyle has carried out numerous rescues missions which have resulted in the saving of many lives. For the past 15 years Kyle has been in command as senior helmsman onboard Bangor Lifeboat

Kyle and Paula at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party

Kyle said of the event "It was a privilege and an honour to be invited to such a prestigious event. I was very proud to be one of the people representing the RNLI at the Garden Party. It is satisfying to know that the work of the RNLI and its volunteers receives recognition for the vital work carried out by all our crewmembers. The Royal family were in attendance and it was thrilling to see them there. Both Paula and I had an excellent time and were delighted to be at the Palace Garden Party."

The Irish Times reports that the Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat went to the aid of divers at the wreck of the Lusitania yesterday.

The divers had been operating at the wreck site when their boat developed mechanical issues.

The lifeboat responded immediately in windy conditions and removed the crew to safety, towing the boat to Courtmacsherry.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, divers led by the wreck's American owner hope to uncover the last big secrets of the stricken cruise liner, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat during the First World War.

At 07.47hrs on Saturday morning, July 16, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat, Toshiba Wave Warrior, went to the assistance of 4 persons on board a 29ft cruiser that had suffered engine failure, but which had dropped anchor to prevent being pushed up on rocks. The crew had hoisted their distress flag to draw attention to their dilemma.

 At 07.30hrs, Saturday July 16, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, to assist 4 persons whose vessel had suffered engine failure. The skipper of the cruiser had dropped anchor and that was holding them off from the rocks. The lifeboat with helm Peter Clarke, Colin Knight and Ger Egan on board, launched at 07.47hrs. Winds were south-westerly, Force 4, visibility was fair with frequent strong squally showers. The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel, a 29ft cruiser, at 08.29hrs. There were four persons on board, all were safe and wearing lifejackets. A lifeboat crew member checked the vessel and established the cause of the failure, he weighed anchor and the lifeboat took the vessel under tow to the safety of Terryglass harbour, where it was tied alongside at 08.41hrs. Lifeboat helm Peter Clarke said that the 'prompt decision to drop anchor was a good one as it prevented any further damage to the vessel'. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 09.15hrs

ALSO

At 22.30hrs on Friday night, July 15th Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, to investigate reports that a vessel, first spotted near the Clare shore, was apparently adrift, but now in Dromineer Bay

 The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and David Moore on board, launched at 22.40hrs. Winds were south-westerly, Force 4, it was dark. The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel, an 18ft speed boat, at 22.43hrs. There were two persons on board, and as they were under the canopy were unaware that they were drifting and were being pushed perilously close the outer wall of the harbour and into shallow water. They did not require any assistance from the lifeboat, but were advised to turn on their navigation lights. They made their way safely to their berthing inside the public harbour at Dromineer. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 22.55hrs

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued an appeal for funds to ensure its survival.

The volunteer crews from the RNLI go to sea hundreds of times a year to help those in danger off the Irish coast, often in terrible conditions.

One recent rescue reported on Afloat.ie saw the Fenit inshore lifeboat launched to go to the aid of a fishing vessel in Tralee Bay having difficulties in thick fog. 

The lifeboat successfully found the disorientated oyster fishing boat, with three crew members aboard, then discovers two further oyster fishing boats also struggling in the fog. All three were escorted safely back into the harbour.

The last two years were the busiest in the RNLI's history, the organiation says, but income is in danger of not keeping pace.

Last year volunteer-crewed lifeboats rescued 813 people from the seas around the Irish coastline, They are ready to go to sea whatever the conditions, and are on call 24 hours a day. But they can't do this without your help. 

The RNLI is a charity and relies on donations to keep the lifeboat service running. If you can give anything, please forward it to the RNLI Fundraising Appeal, RNLI Ireland, Dept AA1280, PO Box 4214, Freepost, Dublin 2.

A volunteer lifeboat crewmember from Newcastle in County Down and his brother rescued two children and four adults from the freezing water after their boat sank off the coast of Donegal yesterday (Tuesday 12 July).  The two brothers, Richard and Samuel Burgess were out fishing on a six metre RIB Blue Haven at around 4.30pm when they heard a call from Malin Head Coast Guard on their VHF radio seeking urgent assistance for an 18 ft cruiser that was taking on water and sinking off Port na Blath in Sheephaven Bay, county Donegal.

Rescuers Richard and Samuel Burgess and their Red Bay Stormforce RIB

Realising they were near the area they immediately made contact with the Coast Guard and made their way to the scene.  On arrival they saw debris and a small part of the bow of a vessel protruding from the water.  Two children and four adults were nearby in the water and wearing lifejackets.  The brothers immediately went to their aid and recovered all six onboard their RIB.  The men also took their fleece and jacket off to wrap around the two children to keep warm.  They then made their way back to land and the group were met by representatives from the Downings Coast Guard with the children taken on to hospital to be checked out.

Commenting on the rescue Newcastle RNLI lifeboat volunteer Richard Burgess said, "I can't believe that on my holidays with my brother Samuel in Donegal, we were involved in the rescue of six people from the sea.  I didn't expect to be using my RNLI training away from Newcastle but I am delighted we were close by and were able to help these people.  I have been on the lifeboat crew for twenty months and the minute we arrived on scene my lifeboat training kicked in.

Conditions on the day were good and the group were about half a mile out from the shore but the area is very rocky and they would have been unable to make it to shore on their own.  It could have been a very different ending to the day and we are just delighted that everyone is safe."

The RNLI recommends that people always have a proper marine VHF radio onboard their vessel in case of emergency.

At 10.30pm last night, volunteer lifeboat crew received a request from Belfast Coastguard to launch the lifeboat to rescue a young girl who had become stranded on a rock ledge close to Groomsport.

Belfast Coastguard received the initial call from a concerned member of public who had observed a young girl standing on an outcrop of rocks and in distress.

Immediately on receiving this call, Belfast Coastguard requested RNLI Bangor Lifeboat to launch and proceed with utmost haste to Cove Bay which is on the southern shores of Belfast Lough.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew had assembled and launched the lifeboat.

Upon arrival at Cove Bay, lifeboat crew quickly evaluated the situation. With waves breaking around the knees of the frightened child it was paramount that she be brought ashore as quickly as possible.

The lifeboat was manoeuvred close to the rock ledge and the child was plucked to safety.

The young girl was brought ashore at Groomsport Harbour and was given into the care of waiting paramedics

Dr Iain Dobie a, RNLI volunteer crewman involved in this rescue said 'Large swells created by passing fast ferries and large boats could have swept this young girl from the rocks. When exploring rock pools and the foreshore please take a minute and think about rising tides and large swells'. He added 'We're very happy that the young girl is now safely ashore'

The Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival starts this evening, now in its 42nd year, the four-day festival is surrounded by the culinary delights of locally caught fresh seafood, writes Jehan Ashmore.

In addition festival-goers can take part in the varied programme which caters for all age-groups. At 7.30pm tonight is the opening Grand Festival Parade featuring a 'Visitors From the Deep' float and Wexford's Community Samba Band 'Bloco de Fud Este'.

The festival will include a Seafood Platter Prize Competition, a children's creative art-workshop making 'Fish Kite-Windsocks', a Friday Fish Market with reduced prices and chefs cooking culinary dishes for sample-tastings and a Beach Band Barbecue.

On both the Saturday and Sunday there is the Tuskar Marine Modellors with their model boats and ships exhibition held in the Stella Maris Centre
and the Quay Times exhibition. Also throughout the weekend the Festival Arts Exhibition will be open in the RNLI Lifeboat House, noting Kilmore Quay is the first Irish lifeboat station to have the new Tamar-class lifeboat, the RNLB Killarney which can be viewed at its moorings.

On Saturday starting at 2.30pm is the "The Celtic Link Challenge" - Yacht Race when boats leave the marina at 3pm and return two hours later. The winners trophy will be presented in the Bird Rock Cafe at 6pm. If adverse weather conditions prevail the race will be re-scheduled for 2.30pm on the Sunday - weather permitting! For more information contact 086 2576862 and www.kilmorequayboatclub.com

To view the complete list of the festival programme, noting certain events and activities require an admission charge click HERE

On Saturday evening, July 2, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat, Toshiba Wave Warrior, went to the assistance of two persons, when their vessel suffered engine failure and was drifting in the Urra Channel just outside Dromineer Bay.

On Saturday July 2, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched, following a request by Valentia Coast Guard, to assist two persons on board a 22ft motor cruiser, that had suffered engine failure and was drifting close to rocks on the Urra shore. The Lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan and Dom Sharkey on board, launched at 19.30hrs. Winds were southwesterly, Force 2. The lifeboat arrived on scene 19.35hrs. The two persons were safe and unharmed and both wearing life-jackets. The vessel was taken under tow, and tied safety alongside at the public harbour at Dromineer at 19.55hrs. The skipper of the vessel thanked the lifeboat crew and said that when he 'saw smoke coming from the engine, he had no option but to cut the power and call for help". He was reassured by the crew that he had done the right thing. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 20.20hrs.

At 17.23hrs on Friday July 1, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, to assist two persons in difficulty in the water, after their jet ski failed close by the Scilly Islands, at the south-western end of Lough Derg. The Lifeboat with helm Peter Clarke, Eleanor Hooker and Ger Egan on board, launched at 17.35hrs. Soon after launching, the lifeboat was informed that a lakeboat was also going to the assistance of the persons in the water. The lifeboat arrived on scene 17.55hrs. The crew spoke to fishermen in the only lakeboat in the vicinity. The fishermen had no English but conveyed to the crew that they had taken the jet ski and the persons to a landing place on the Tipperary shore. Lifeboat crew searched the Tipperary shoreline indicated by the fishermen, including private harbours, but were unable to locate the jet-skiers or their jet-ski. The Coast Guard were unable to make contact with the person who had called in the request for help. The lifeoboat was stood down at 18.10hrs. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 18.40hrs

A major search is underway for a missing person, believed to have fallen overboard from his boat off Rathlin Island.

Belfast Coastguard received a call at 4:45pm from a ferry passing the area reporting they had seen a RIB with no one on board between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island.

Coastguard Rescue Officers from Ballycastle and Portrush have been sent to the area. Belfast Coastguard have requested the launch of the Portrush RNLI all weather and Redbay RNLI inshore lifeboats and scrambled Rescue Helicopter 177 from RAF Prestwick to the scene.

Rob Steventon, Watch Manager, Belfast Coastguard, said:

"A major search is currently underway, with many other vessels in the area assisting.  We believe the occupant of the boat may well have fallen overboard as there is rope caught around the propeller."