RNLI voluntary crews deserve our thanks and support - Achill and Ballyglass personnel rescued 17 souls

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:48

Written by Tom Gillespie

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LAST year RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 980 times to a variety of callouts. A total of 905 people were rescued over the course of the 12 months by volunteer lifeboat crews who spent almost 10,000 hours on service at sea.

From the Ballyglass, Belmullet, RNLI station, the crew had to launch their all-weather lifeboat on six occasions and their inshore lifeboat on five outings, assisting three and six people respectively

The Achill Island crew on board their all-weather lifeboat were called out on 14 occasions and assisted eight people in distress.

The Aran Island crew were somewhat busier, with 40 call-outs to help 36 people.

Howth RNLI lifeboat station in Dublin was the busiest coastal Irish station, launching to 48 requests for help and bringing 60 people to safety.

They were followed by Crosshaven RNLI in Cork who launched 46 times and assisted 43 people.

The busiest month for rescues was July with 155 launches, followed by August with 124 calls for assistance.

February 2011 was the busiest February for Irish launches in the RNLI’s history, as were May and October 2011.

Over a third of the RNLI’s callouts for last year were also carried out in darkness.

The statistics show that launches to vessels suffering machinery failure still account for the largest number of call-outs (187), followed by vessels reported to be in trouble (78), grounded (74) and capsizing (73).

The fact that the RNLI is a voluntary service is often forgotten when people get in trouble at sea.

And with the growing level of leisure time the demand on their services is going to increase.

Coastal communities, in particular, rally to the fundraising efforts of the RNLI as they recognise the vital service they provide.

Crews show selfless dedication and commitment to saving lives and do so with little thought for their own safety.

RNLI deputy divisional inspector Gareth Morrison has pointed out the work of the volunteer lifeboat crews could not be made possible without the generosity of the public who, in difficult times, continue to support Irish lifeboat crews.

Without that support seafarers would face uncertainly each time they go to sea.

The 2011 figures were released in the wake of the RNLI Lifejackets for Lifesavers campaign, which will see every lifeboat station in Ireland take delivery of new, specially designed lifejackets in September.

The cost of providing the lifejackets for all 43 lifeboat stations in Ireland is estimated at €160,000, emphasising the need for ongoing public financial support.

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