Tag Archives: RNLI

LOUGH Derg RNLI and Killaloe Coast Guard have been commended for their quick action in rescuing 40 people whose vessel ran aground on Lough Derg at the weekend. On Saturday afternoon Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to assist the people on a 40ft passenger vessel aground on a rocky shoal off Bonaveen Point on the County Galway shore, at the north-western end of Lough Derg.   At 1.20pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker and crew Doireann Kennedy and Oisín Higgins on board. Given the large number of people on board the casualty vessel, Valentia Coast Guard also requested Killaloe Coast Guard to launch.  The casualty vessel was spotted aground off Bonaveen Point at 1.35pm. Using local knowledge and electronic navigation tools on board the lifeboat, the RNLI volunteers navigated around two shallow shoals to make a safe approach to the stern of the casualty vessel. Those on the casualty vessel informed the lifeboat crew …

A WEST Clare couple have lent their voices to this winter’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) fundraising campaign that shows the sacrifices made by volunteers each Christmas. As the RNLI launches its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, the search and rescue charity is highlighting the volunteers who will be on call over the festive season to save lives at sea. Kilrush couple, Pa Ryan and Liezel Brand both volunteer on the lifeboats but this Christmas only Pa will be on call, as Liezel gave birth to their son Conor, earlier this year. Pa and many more volunteers around the country may have to sacrifice their precious family time over the festive season to save others this Christmas. That is a very real possibility, as over the past five years, RNLI lifeboats have launched 55 times in Ireland during the festive period, bringing 44 people to safety. Liezel Brand came to Clare from Robin Island in South Africa and joined the lifeboat …

With the current icy weather warnings in place throughout the country, the Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint water safety appeal urging people to be aware of the added danger at our aquatic environments and of additional safety considerations when on or near the water. Due to the freezing temperatures, many inland bodies of water have frozen over at canals, lakes, ponds and flooded areas. As the thickness of this ice can vary greatly the strong advice is to stay off the ice. Be extra vigilant while walking beside bodies of water as walkways and paths can become extremely slippery and unsafe when icy. Keep pets and young children away from the edges. Many people are expected to take part in festive dips. The three maritime organisations are asking people to check that they have the right information to safely enjoy these activities and that they know what to do in the event of an …

Lough Derg RNLI is recruiting new volunteers to join their lifesaving team for shore duty in roles as Deputy Launching Authority, Additional Lifeboat Mechanic and Tractor Driver.   According to a spokesperson for Lough Derg RNLI shore crew “have a central role in securing the safety of the lifeboat and the men and women launching their craft to rescue those in peril on the water. They ensure the successful and smooth operations of the RNLI’s lifesaving work within the station. “As a volunteer with the RNLI you will gain new skills and enjoy the satisfaction of giving back to your community. The RNLI will provide all training to fulfil your role. You will be supported at all times by the close team of existing volunteers at the station and by the RNLI.” The role of Deputy Launching Authority has been described as “central to operations within all RNLI lifeboat stations, as this volunteer initiates the launch of the lifeboat when requested by …

TWO people were found asleep on a boat on Lough Derg by RNLI volunteers who had been called to the scene following reports that the vessel was adrift. On Friday morning August 12, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to investigate a report from a member of the public of a 25ft vessel adrift in Youghal Bay.  At 8.23am Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Steve Smyth, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. The lake was calm with excellent visibility.   At 8.32am the lifeboat arrived on scene having located the vessel midway between Garrykennedy Harbour and Ryan’s Point at Youghal Bay. Two people on board were sleeping and unaware that their anchor had dragged their boat from its original location. The skipper weighed anchor and made way for harbour.  The lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 8.45am and at 9am the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled.  Aoife …

THE waters and the wild of the recently selected ‘Best place to holiday in Ireland’ is calling all walkers. The Burren in North Clare is once again the setting for an 8km ramble on Sunday September 4. The annual event has been rambling the Burren for close on 40 years for the lifeboats and this year’s theme is ‘The Village of our Childhood’. The village of our childhood is Fanore which rests between the mountain and the sea with magnificent views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, Sliabh Elva and Blackhead mountains. The ramble will take people by the shore to places where the poitín makers from Conemara traded with the locals for turf and potatoes. A visit to the deserted village on the shore at Loch an Uisce in Fanore will be on part of the route. The site that has been dated as six thousand years old was where the sea hunters and locals gathered to eat …

SEVEN people were rescued from a sinking boat on Lough Derg near Mountshannon this week. Lough Derg RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team Rescue 115 and the Killaloe Coast Guard rescue boat were called to the scene after the alarm was raised in the afternoon. Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist seven people on a 60ft vessel which was taking on water and sinking. Valentia Coast Guard gave lifeboat volunteers coordinates for the vessel, which was at a location south of Mountshannon Harbour on the County Clare shore.   At 2.42pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Owen Cavanagh, Joe O’Donoghue and Ciara Lynch on board. The lifeboat was also carrying its salvage pump. The Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter team, Rescue 115, had taken off from their base at Shannon Airport and the Killaloe Coast Guard Rescue Boat was also launched.   On their way to …

A beautiful 8km Summer Solstice stroll in the Flaggy Shore, Bellharbour, New Quay, will take place on Tuesday night, June 21, to raise much needed funds for the RNLI Lifeboats. Meeting at New Quay Church car park at 7.15pm participants will be guided the short distance to parking in Mairtin Fahy’s meadow field on the Flaggy Shore. The stroll will leave at 8pm and take walkers down by the lake where poet Seamus Heaney was inspired to write one of his most famous writings, Postscript. There will be time out for healing and reflection on the shore as well as black pudding and brown bread. Let the spirit of the Burren rock into the heart and soul inside in you as stroll in the finest landscape in the World between the mountain and the sea on the shores of Galway Bay. Donations can be made on the night to the RNLI Lifeboats. For further nformation contact Joe Queally on 087 …