RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

File image of Wexford RNLI’s inshore lifeboat

Back-to-Back Calls on Sunday for Wexford Lifeboat

15th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Wexford RNLI’s inshore lifeboat had a busy Sunday afternoon (13 August) with two back-to-back rescue efforts. Lifeboat helm Damien Foley and volunteer crew Ger Doran and Donal Troddyn were first tasked with assisting two people whose boat suffered engine failure…

Courtown RNLI's inshore lifeboat took over the tow and safely brought the cabin cruiser into Courtown Harbour

Men and Boy Rescued by RNLI After Cabin Cruiser Engine Failure Off Coast of Cahore

15th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Two men and a boy were rescued by the Courtown RNLI on August 9th after their cabin cruiser experienced engine failure off the coast of Cahore. The Arklow RNLI initially responded to the distress call and had the vessel under tow…

Red Bay RNLI inshore lifeboat launches at Cushendall in County Antrim

Two Men Rescued By Red Bay RNLI After Speedboat Catches Fire off Antrim Coast

15th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Two men were rescued by the Red Bay RNLI after their 18ft speedboat caught fire off the coast of Antrim. The incident occurred south of Rathlin Island, and the rescue team was quickly on the scene after being alerted by…

RNLI Wexford fundraiser: An exhibition 'A Maritime History of Co. Wexford ' to be held in Kilmore Quay, and will be officially opened on Saturday, 26 August at 11 am by Sean Boyce, Senior Master of the Rosslare-Cherbourg cruise ferry Stena Vision which entered service at the end of June. The exhibition will also continue on Sunday, 27 August.

Maritime Exhibition on Wexford to Raise Funds for County’s RNLI Lifeboats

14th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A fundraising exhibition in aid of Co. Wexford’s five RNLI lifeboat stations will share in the proceeds from the event held in the Stella Maris Centre in Kilmore Quay on Saturday 26 and Sunday, 27 August. The exhibition 'A Maritime…

Kilmore Quay RNLI's all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney

Kilmore Quay RNLI Rescues Three People Stranded on RIB

14th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Saturday afternoon, Kilmore Quay RNLI came to the rescue of three people stranded on a RIB off Ballyhealy Beach. The all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, was launched after the Irish Coast Guard received a call from a concerned member…

The Achill Island RNLI all-weather lifeboat ‘Sam and Ada Moody’

Achill Island RNLI Brave Severe Weather Conditions to Save Unmanned Fishing Trawler

11th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Achill Island RNLI came to the aid of an unmanned fishing trawler in severe weather conditions on Friday, August 11th, following a call from the Irish Coast Guard. The 36ft trawler was moored between Purteen Harbour and Inishgalloon at Achill…

Bangor RNLI was involved in the rescue of three people from a 28ft yacht

Three Rescued from 28ft Yacht Grounded on Cockle Island by Bangor RNLI

11th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Three people were rescued by the Bangor RNLI lifeboat after their 28ft yacht ran aground on Cockle Island, Groomsport. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, August 10th. The RNLI received a request from Belfast Coastguard to assist with the recovery…

File image of Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists 40ft Cruiser With Engine Failure

10th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch at noon on Thursday 10 August) to assist two people on a 40ft cruiser with engine failure and at anchor by navigation buoy H, close to Terryglass Bay. The inshore lifeboat Jean Spier…

Galway Harbour RNLI's volunteer crew operating in Galway Bay

Galway Harbour RNLI Volunteers Respond to Three Callouts in One Evening

10th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Galway Harbour RNLI's volunteer crew responded to three separate calls for assistance in a single evening on Wednesday (09 August), demonstrating their readiness to deal with any situation that arises. The first callout came at around 5.30 pm when the crew…

File image of Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis

Enniskillen Lifeboat Assist Two After Boat Breakdown

9th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard on Wednesday afternoon (9 August) to assess a boat breakdown near Portoa Lock. The Shetland cruiser with two people onboard had reported encountering mechanical…

Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat returns to station after the call-out on Sunday night 6 August

Wicklow Lifeboats Respond to Two Call-Outs in 24 Hours

9th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Just hours after the conclusion of their station’s open day on Sunday (6 August), Wicklow RNLI’s volunteer crew members responded to the first of two call-outs in 24 hours. Pagers sounded just after 9.30pm on Sunday night and within 10…

Skerries RNLI recovering the lifeboat on Friday night 4 August

Skerries Lifeboat Rescues Teens Stranded By Rising Tide on Shenick Island

8th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Skerries RNLI were tasked just before 10pm on Friday night (4 August) following a 999 call to report that two teenagers were stranded on Shenick Island, having been cut off by the incoming tide. The volunteers in Skerries launched their…

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station Crew on the Open Day in Wicklow Harbour

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station Holds Successful Open Day

8th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

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…

Donaghadee's All Weather RNLI Lifeboat Macquarie

Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Responds to Emergency Medical Issue on Cruise Ship

5th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

In the late hours of Friday, August 4th, 2024, the volunteer crew of the Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat station in Northern Ireland received a call from HM Coastguard. The Coastguard reported an emergency medical issue involving a female passenger on a…

File image of Cowes RNLI’s inshore lifeboat at sea

Isle of Wight Lifeboat Kept Busy By Multiple Incidents During Cowes Week Regatta

3rd August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The Cowes RNLI lifeboat was kept busy during Cowes Week racing earlier this week with incidents on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday morning (31 July) the lifeboat crew were called out to two yachts involved in a violent collision, and…

File image of Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Second Medevac in Two Days for Baltimore Lifeboat in West Cork

1st August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Baltimore RNLI were called out on Monday night (31 July) for the second time in two days to provide a medical evacuation, this time from Cape Clear Island off the coast of West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their…

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset