RNLI Lifeboat News From Ireland

Former president Mary McAleese was born in Belfast, grew up on the shores of Carlingford Lough and now lives close to a lake in the west of Ireland

Former President Mary McAleese Recalls RNLI Connections in Bicentenary Podcast Series

4th October 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Former president Mary McAleese recalls her close family connections with the lifeboat service in the latest episode of the RNLI “200 Voices” series. McAleese was born in Belfast, grew up on the shores of Carlingford Lough and now lives close…

The Wicklow RNLI inshore lifeboat rescued two foil surfers

Wicklow RNLI Inshore Lfeboat Launched to Aid Foil Surfers

1st October 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The Wicklow RNLI inshore lifeboat rescued two foil surfers who were in distress due to tidal conditions on Saturday afternoon (30 September), according to the Coast Guard's alert. The Inshore lifeboat was launched around 3:40 pm and quickly found the…

Sean Flood at the helm of Otto Glaser’s McGruer 47 Tritsch-Tratsch II with The Needles astern in the early stages of the 1974 RORC Cowes-Cork Race. Also just visible astern are Denis Doyle’s blue S&S 47 Moonduster, and Clayton Love’s Swan 44 Assiduous – they were still astern at the finish. Line honours and overall winner was Eric Tabarly’s then-new 70ft ketch Pen Duick VI, while Tritsch-Tratsch II was in the frame, and top Irish boat

Sean Flood 1932-2023

30th September 2023 W M Nixon

The life story of Sean Flood, who has died at the age of 91, is in many ways the story of modern Ireland as seen through a sailing and business lens. From a family of traditionally and strongly patriotic outlook,…

Baltimore RNLI lifeboats on call during Storm Agnes in West Cork

Baltimore RNLI in West Cork Launches Both Lifeboats During Storm Agnes

27th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The Baltimore RNLI lifeboat crew carried out a rescue mission during storm Agnes on September 27th. The Irish Coast Guard called for assistance to rescue a yacht in trouble in the Ilen River in West Cork. At 3.48 pm, the Baltimore…

Solo Sailor Receiving RNLI Assistance off West Coast in Storm Agnes

27th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A solo sailor who sought assistance off the west coast in Storm Agnes is being towed to safety. RNLI lifeboats from Achill and Clifden responded to the alert when the yacht, believed to be Norwegian, reported being in difficulty ten…

Galway RNLI volunteer crew with their long-service awards outside the lifeboat station

Galway RNLI Volunteer Crew Presented With Long-Service Awards

25th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

In recognition of their dedication and commitment of time, energy and skills, seven members of the Galway RNLI crew were presented with long-service awards for achieving 50, 100, 150 and 200 services. Each time the crew members respond to their…

Wicklow RNLI securing the casualty vessel alongside at the harbour

Lone Sailor Rescued by Wicklow RNLI in the Early Hours

25th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A team of volunteers from the Wicklow RNLI launched an all-weather lifeboat early on Sunday morning to rescue a sailor who was stranded on a yacht with mechanical and electrical issues. The yacht, a 36ft sailing vessel, was located approximately…

The 38ft yacht under an alongside tow by Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on Sunday afternoon 17 September

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Rescues Lone Sailor Eight Miles Out to Sea

19th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard shortly after 4pm on Sunday (17 September) to assist a lone sailor aboard a 38ft yacht eight miles out at sea. The inshore lifeboat Sheila and…

Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Rescue Six from Stranded Boats on Lake

18th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew helped six people on board two cruisers that ran aground on the lake. On Saturday morning, September 16th, the Lough Ree RNLI crew rescued two people on board a 40ft cruiser that had stranded…

The Severn class RNLI lifeboat Myrtle Maud passes Arranmore Head

Arranmore RNLI Rescue Three Walkers and their Dog Cut off by Tide at Maghera Beach

18th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

On Saturday evening, the Arranmore RNLI crew successfully rescued three people and their dog who were stranded on Maghera Beach due to the rising tide. The stranded walkers, two men, a woman, and their dog, were cut off by the…

The Wicklow inshore lifeboat crew located the significantly damaged drone floating a mile off Newcastle Beach

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboats Launch to Investigate Reports of 'Aircraft in Difficulty'

14th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched on Thursday, 14 September, in response to an aircraft in difficulty. The Coast Guard had issued a pager alert to investigate reports of an aircraft struggling off the Wicklow coast. The initial report suggested that…

Both the inshore and all weather RNLI lifeboats from Howth were launched to rescue a man stranded on cliffs overnight

Howth RNLI Rescue Man Stranded at Cliffs Overnight

12th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

The Howth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew sprang into action on Monday evening, launching both of their lifeboats to assist in a multi-agency incident near the Baily Lighthouse. The Coast Guard had requested the inshore lifeboat to respond to reports of…

A lone sailor whose yacht had lost all power near the Saltee Islands was towed to Kilmore Quay by the RNLI

Kilmore Quay RNLI Rescues Two Yachts in Distress Including Lone Sailor From France

12th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Kilmore Quay RNLI volunteers were called out on two separate occasions on Monday, September 11, to assist two yachts in distress. The first call came in early in the morning when the crew launched to help two people on board…

File image of Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat

Arranmore Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker From Rocks at Owey Island

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Arranmore RNLI in Co Donegal rescued a kayaker on rocks at Owey Island on Sunday afternoon (10 September). The volunteer crew were asked to launch their all-weather lifeboat by Malin Head Coast Guard at 2.50pm to reports of a kayaker…

Sligo Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on the scene with the stricken fishing boat on Sunday 10 September

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Rescues Three People in Difficulty Off Inishmurray

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

Sligo Bay RNLI's volunteer crew were requested to launch at 2.10pm on Sunday afternoon (10 September) to reports of three people in difficulty off Inishmurray Island. The three were on a boat which had earlier left from Mullaghmore Harbour on…

Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat is launched

Fethard RNLI Rescue Family of Four in Broken-Down Speedboat

11th September 2023 RNLI Lifeboats

A family of four on board a broken-down speedboat off the County Wexford coast received assistance from the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI over the weekend. The Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of the lifeboat on Saturday evening…

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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