Irish Lifeboats

The definitive guide to the Irish lifeboat service

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Clogherhead RNLI welcomes latest €2.5m Shannon class lifeboat to Louth station

On Sunday, June 2nd 2019 the latest in RNLI lifeboat technology was delivered to Clogherhead in county Louth and was welcomed to its new home by hundreds of people who turned out from the town and surrounding areas.

Clogherhead RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat is unique in the RNLI’s fleet as it has been funded by an Irish legacy, named after an Irish lifeboat volunteer, designed by an Irish engineer and is the first class to be called after an Irish river. The Michael O’Brien Shannon class lifeboat arrived to a sunny Clogherhead at exactly 13.31 hours, the operational number of the lifeboat. 

A significant proportion of the funding for the Clogherhead lifeboat has been provided through a generous legacy by Wexford farmer, Mr. Henry Tomkins, who was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. Henry stipulated that a lifeboat be named for his long-time friend, the former Arklow RNLI Coxswain, Mr. Michael O’Brien. The Shannon lifeboat was designed by Derry man Peter Eyre who as child was rescued by Lough Swilly RNLI in Donegal. Photo: Pat Browne

Portaferry RNLI celebrates 40 years of lifesaving

Portaferry RNLI celebrated the station's 40th anniversary this weekend with a party and presentation evening for crew members and their families.  During the course of the evening the crew paid thanks to those past and present crew members for their dedication and hard work over the past 40 years.
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Baltimore RNLI mark centenary of the lifeboat station by naming new Atlantic 85

Baltimore RNLI held a special ceremony which saw the station receive a Vellum (Inscription of thanks from the Institution) marking one hundred years of saving lives at sea and the naming the new Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rita Daphne Smyth.

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Dun Laoghaire RNLI mechanic rescues Toby the dog after fall on East Pier

Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s mechanic Kieran O’Connell came to the rescue of a small dog who fell from a height and became trapped on Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier.
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Photographer To Capture All Northern Irish Lifeboat Stations On Glass

In January 2015, Jack Lowe began his attempt to visit all 238 stations on the RNLI network to photograph them using Wet Plate Collodion, a Victorian process that creates stunning images on glass.
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Water Safety

Respect The Water


Respect the Water is the RNLI’s national drowning prevention campaign. 


Around 190 people die each year around the UK and Irish coasts - and the RNLI is working to change this. The RNLI has a goal to halve the number of coastal drownings by 2024 and Respect the Water is playing a key role in this.


Respect The Water & know what to do

www.respectthewater.com

Safety on the Water


The Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI & Irish Water Safety advise caution to those engaged in recreational activities in or near water during the summer months. 


For more information visit 

www.safetyonthewater.ie


Lifeboat Operations

Community Rescue Boats

There are a number of independent lifeboat services located in Ireland. 


These services operate independently from the RNLI. Most operate with support from their local community and the Irish Coast Guard.

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RNLI Lifeboat Fleet

The RNLI currently operate from 46 stations in the Republic and Northern Ireland. 


Different classes of lifeboat are needed for various locations. So RNLI lifeboats are divided into two categories: all-weather and inshore.

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In an emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard

Latest News
(Last Updated 21/10/19)

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