Lough Swilly RNLI

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day. Anyone can drown, no one should.

From 2017 to 2021 there was an average of 118 drownings in Ireland every year with males representing 70% of drowning deaths. More than half of these fatal drownings occurred among people who, immediately prior to entering the water, were walking, hiking, foraging, fishing from land, cycling or driving.

We can all act to end drowning. Wherever we are. And there are many ways to act.

You can:
Share drowning prevention and water safety advice with your family, your friends and your colleagues; sign up for swimming or water safety lessons; or support local drowning prevention charities and groups.

Know how to Float To Live:
If you get into trouble in the water, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Then swim to safety or call for help.

If you see someone in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Visit RNLI.org/float2024 for more information.

Pictured below along with RNLI volunteers, Paddy Murphy, Greg McDaid and Brian McLaughlin is Garda Community Officer Anne McGreal. Anne also took time out to meet local swimmers. Thanks for visiting the station Anna on such an important day!
An Garda Síochána An Garda Síochána Donegal

Two people removed from rocks at Lambs Bay

At 21.24pm, Wednesday 24th July, Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard after a member of the public reported two people cut off by the high tide in the Lambs Bay area of the Lough.

The Atlantic 85 was quickly launched at Ned's Point. The volunteer crew made their way to the Lambs Bay area and removed two people from the rocks and took them safely to shore.

Both were in good spirits so the crew returned to Ned's, refuelled and made ready for service.

We would like to thank the member of the public who contacted the Coast Guard.

Remember if you see someone in difficulty in or on the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

6pm kick off for the Annual Malin Head Raft Race. Best of luck to everyone involved. Malin RNLI Fundraising Branch

🛶MALIN RAFT RACE🛶

Attention, all raft-racers! 🌊

Get ready for the Malin Raft Race tomorrow at 6 PM!

We’re hoping no one went triple decker and all rafts can squeeze under the eye of the bridge 👀

Remember, registration is at 5 PM at the bridge.

All participants must wear a lifejacket 🛟 NO EXCEPTIONS 🛟

Entry fee is €50 per raft.

Don’t miss out on the craic!!

See you there, adventurers! 🚣‍♂️💦

Check out Lough Swilly RNLI volunteer Stephanie Porter video of her visit to RNLI Headquarters in Poole this week for the deep sea survival course.

TikTok · Stephanie Porter 316 likes, 15 comments. “Come with me for Sea Survival Training”

Best of luck to our two volunteers, Dawn Lambe and Stephanie Porter who are over in Poole this week doing their deep sea survival course.

Saturday night shout for Lough Swilly RNLI

Lough Swilly RNLI where paged by Malin Head Coast Guard at 8.30pm last night to evacuate a lady who had fallen and injured her leg on Inishtrahull island.

The lady was part of a group of kayakers who had landed on the island earlier. The All-Weather Lifeboat was launched and the crew berthed on the small pier on the north side of the island and took the lady and her kayak aboard.

She was taken back to Buncrana Pier and handed into the care of the National Ambulance Service and taken to hospital.

Remember if you're in difficulty in or on the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

* On a lighter note, the crew were treated to a stunning sunset on the way home.

📷 Noel McCann

We were delighted to be back in Ramelton last night with the Lennon Festival Committee for the beginning of this years activities.
PJ Bonner and his team are working hard to deliver another great festival and it began well with crab fishing along the pier and kayak race on the river.
These events are all fund raisers for Lough Swilly RNLI and we are very grateful to everyone in the community who take part and give us their generous support. It is much appreciated.
Also our thanks to Sip&Slice for looking after our crew and providing them with delicious pizza's.

A lovely T-shirt and medal available at one of Ireland’s most scenic road running events.

Register now at the link below. Malin RNLI Fundraising Branch

Will you be collecting your medal and t-shirt for the Tower 2 Town on the 21st of July?

We are ready to go!!!!

Registration at the link below

https://www.njuko.net/rnli_t2t16k_lagg5k_2024/select_competition

The GAA and RNLI are continuing to work in partnership to keep our communities safe this summer.

Did you know that in the Irish region most drownings occur inland, and that males are most at risk?

The GAA and the RNLI have teamed up on World Drowning Prevention Day to run a water safety webinar. Learn how you can keep your GAA club and community safe this summer. This free webinar takes place from 7.30-8.30pm on World Drowning Prevention Day, Thursday 25 July.

Whether you are inland or on the coast, this webinar will give you handy tips to keep your family and friends safe in or near the water. To register your club, click on this link:

RNLI GAA Webinar register here
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rnli-gaa-clubs-water-safety-webinar-tickets-891536729357

Many thanks to Brendan, Mairead and Araya Gallagher from Sweet & Gentle Cheeses who provided delicious treats for our crew at the Fahan Marina Funday last Sunday. It was very much appreciated.

John McDaid, Director of Lough Swilly Marina presenting a cheque from last years fun day to volunteers at Lough Swilly RNLI for €6,500. Funds from last year also provided a new public access defibrillator for the Fahan area which is located at the marina.
Also in the picture is Gary McLaughlin, Marina Manager, who organised the fun day and musician, David Craig who looked after the entertainment.
Many thanks to John, Gary, David and team for making this a very enjoyable event and for raising much needed funds for the local lifeboat station.

* Photo taken at this year's event.

It's not very often we get to hear from people that we rescued. Fast forward to 1.08 and listen to Greg Hughes interview with Seamus Martin.
Seamus along with his friend Michael where rescued on Saturday after their small boat was swamped by a freak wave.
Many thanks to Highland Radio News and Sport for the cover and to Seamus Martin.

Happy Monday! We are live for the Nine Til Noon Show with Greg Hughes! Call 07491 25000Text 0866025000Email [email protected]

Fourth shout this week for Lough Swilly volunteers

Following yesterday's shout checking up on a Kite Surfer, Lough Swilly RNLI where again paged today by Malin Head Coast Guard.
Two sea angler's had just finished fishing for the day off Carryblagh when their boat was hit with a freak wave injuring one of them.
The Atlantic Inshore Lifeboat Crew were quickly on scene and they removed both casulties from their boat.
The decision was then made to transfer them onto the All-weather Shannon Class Lifeboat which was also on scene so the injured angler could receive casualty care.
An ambulance was tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard and the crew took the anglers to Buncrana Pier to receive further medical treatment.
Both boats then refuelled and made ready for service.
Lough Swilly press officer, Joe Joyce paid tribute to the crew this week. "This had been a busy few days for our station. We train for this kind of scenario all year and I would like to publicly thank all our volunteers for the effort they have put in this week."
Remember if you're in difficulty in or on the water, or see someone in trouble, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Lough Swilly Volunteers meet President Higgins

Four of our longest serving volunteers represented Lough Swilly RNLI at a special garden party in Áras an Uachtaráin to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI.
Paddy Murphy, Bridgita Kelly, Barry Stevenson and William Monaghan made the trip to Dublin on Thursday.
A special mention to Paddy Murphy who was just back on dry land after a 10 hour service call at sea. Rumour has it Murfs is still sleeping, nobody has seen him since! 😴

The support we receive from the people of Donegal and further afield is immense! No less than 3 Lough Swilly RNLI fundraising events are on this weekend. If you're about, call in and say hi.

Challenging 12 hours service for volunteers at Lough Swilly RNLI

Lough Swilly RNLI received a request for assistance from Malin Head Coast Guard at 10.45pm on Wednesday 27th June. A 36 foot yacht with two persons on board had been competing in 'The Round Ireland Race' had got into difficulty not far from Inishtrahull, an island 7 nautical miles off Malin Head.

Lough Swilly All Weather Shannon Class Lifeboat was launched to assist the stricken yacht which had lost power and their sails had become tangled in the mast.

Weather conditions at the time were quite challenging with the wind blowing a force eight. Arriving on scene the Lifeboat took the yacht to Culdaff Bay and placed the yacht on a mooring.

With the weather conditions being so poor and the yacht having no power with tangled sails, the Lifeboat remained on scene as the crew tried to free themselves to establish power.

At around 3am, a member of the yacht crew managed to get the sails released. The weather conditions deteriorated further with the yacht still without power, a decision was made to tow the yacht to the safety of Greencastle Harbour.

Once the yacht had safely arrived in the harbour, the lifeboat volunteers made the difficult journey back to Buncrana Pier, refuelled and made ready for service.

Lough Swilly Press Officer, Joe Joyce commended the skill and dedication of the volunteer crew. He stated that this was a very challenging service call for everyone involved and wished the crew on the yacht the best of luck as they hope to continue with their race.

📷 Adrian Cutliffe

Our volunteers responded to a false alarm with good intent yesterday after a member of the public raised the alarm when a red flare was sighted off the coast.

We would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm as we would always much rather launch and find that all is well than not launch at all.

We would also remind everyone to be mindful that marine distress flares should only be used at sea where there is a vessel and its crew in immediate danger and their sighting will prompt a search and rescue operation.

Should you sight a red flare, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.



* Picture for illustration purposes

SAVE THE DATE!

Sunday 30th June at Fahan Marina. Should be a great day out and all funds raised go Lough Swilly RNLI. Hope to see you all there.

Many thanks to Greencastle Golf Club for nominating Lough Swilly RNLI as their charity this year at their annual BBQ.

The Annual Midsummer BBQ returns next week, in aid of the RNLI. Sure to be a great day with some fantastic prizes on offer and all for a great cause! Many thanks to all our sponsors of the event, without them this would not be possible.

GMC Golf
The Ebrington Hotel
Eamonn Gillen and Sons
Bishop's Gate Hotel Derry
The Sandwich Co. (Omagh)
The Sandwich Co. Diamond
The Sandwich Co Lisnagelvin
The Sandwich Co. Letterkenny
The Sandwich Co. - Spencer, Rd

Members can book a slot via HowDidiDo, non-members are advised to contact the office on the number in the add.

At 10.23am today, Thursday 13th June, Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coastguard Radio to assist a yacht that was having difficulty mooring near Portsalon in poor conditions.

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched at Buncrana Pier and the volunteer crew quickly made their way to the yacht with 2 people onboard.

The volunteers helped secure the yacht and when they were happy with both boat and crew, they returned to Buncrana, refuelled and made ready for service.

Remember if you see someone in difficulty in or on the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

That time of year again, the Hutton's have opened their beautiful garden to raise funds for Lough Swilly RNLI. Please call if you're out and about.

Two members of Lough Swilly RNLI celebrate over 70 years of volunteering today.

Bridgita Kelly and George O'Hagan today celebrate 36 years each volunteering at Lough Swilly. Over those 36 years, they have been involved in over 900 service calls and countless training exercises.

They have reunited many people with their loved ones and unfortunately both have also been involved in many tragic incidents during their time volunteering.

Bridgita and George are very involved in training the next generation of Lifeboat crew, inspiring and supporting them with their crew development plans.

The crew at Lough Swilly would like to thank you both for your service and for keeping Lough Swilly a safe place for everyone.

You’re an inspiration to us all.

At 9.22pm on Monday 3rd June, Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coastguard Radio to assist a yacht that had got into difficulty near Fahan marina.

The Inshore Lifeboat was launched at Ned's Point and the volunteer crew quickly made their way to the yacht with 3 people onboard.

The volunteers helped deploy the archor on the yacht and took the 3 crew to the marina.

The crew then returned to Ned's Point, refuelled and made ready for service.

The yacht was safely recovered this afternoon.

Remember if you see someone in difficulty in or on the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Gold bangle handed in at Ned's Point.
DM the page, if you think it might be yours.

Bank Holiday Water Safety Alert
Minimize the risks with advice from Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI

The Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI have issued advice to help keep people safe at Ireland’s waterways over the June bank holiday weekend.

Water based activities increase at this time of year, as do the number of incidents in which people get into difficulty. Minimize the risks with the following advice for a safe enjoyable bank holiday weekend.

How to enjoy water-based activities safely:

• Check the forecast for your local area, including tide times and sea conditions for coastal activities.

• Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach.

• Water temperatures are still cold. Acclimatise by getting in slowly, swim within your depth and avoid staying in the water for extended periods. Swimmers should be aware of rip currents and if caught in one should swim parallel to shore and then back to land.

• Swim with others, never alone, in recognised, traditionally safe bathing areas. Lifeguarded waterways are listed at https://watersafety.ie/lifeguards/.

• Supervise children at all times near water and never use inflatable toys in open water as currents and breezes can cause persons to be swept out to sea, endangering those onboard or others trying to assist.

• If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly remember Float to Live. The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

• Stranding is a risk when low tides expose areas of the coastline for walkers to explore sandbanks. Watch out for incoming tides, local signage, and always carry a fully charged mobile phone.

• Wear a Personal Flotation Device when paddleboarding, kayaking or boating, or when angling from shore.

• Avoid alcohol as it impairs judgment, balance and coordination - all essential for swimming and boating and avoiding hazards in the water.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or if you suspect that they are in trouble, dial 112 or use Marine VHF channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.