RNLI Lough Derg

27/08/2026

We wish Sadhbh Shoer, volunteer crew at RNLI Lough Derg, every success on her Crew Emergency Procedures course at the RNLI College in Poole. Sadhbh has sent us over wonderful photographs of her course.

The Crew Emergency Procedures (CEP) course is an intensive, hands-on sea survival training program for volunteer crews, held at the RNLI College Sea Survival Centre in Poole, Dorset.

The course equips volunteer lifesavers with crucial real-world survival skills for maritime emergencies.

The 2 day course uses a world-class storm simulator pool to replicate realistic day and night sea conditions—complete with waves, thunder, lightning, and wind machines.

Key skills practiced include: Sea Survival Swimming & Lifejackets: Jumping into the water from a 5-meter platform, properly deploying lifejackets, and surviving in rough simulated sea elements.

Volunteers Learn how to right capsized rafts, group together in the water, and climb aboard while managing hypothermia and sea-sickness.

Crew are also given practical instruction on handling onboard fires and using emergency flares and safety equipment.
Capsize Drills include re-righting inshore lifeboats - B and D class lifeboats.

23/08/2026

A lovely moment at our station today as volunteer crew Conor MacBean receives his first pager from Christine O'Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI.

Congratulations from your fellow volunteers here at the station, welcome to the pager crew! We’re delighted to have you on board and look forward to many hours of training, teamwork for our lifesaving work, and of course, plenty of cups of tea along the way.

16/08/2026

16 July 2026 - Shout
Lough Derg RNLI volunteers assist a rower suffering from fatigue


Earlier today, Sunday 16 August, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to assist a rower at Parkers Point who was struggling with fatigue.


At 1:55pm, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat ‘Jean Spier’ launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, and crew Doireann Kennedy, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. The wind was southeasterly, Force 4. Visibility was good, decreasing to moderate with rain and mist.


At 2:10pm lifeboat volunteers arrived on scene. The casualty had remained in his canoe and sought shelter close to the shore at Parker’s Point. Due to known hazards at the location, the helm asked the crew to prepare to anchor and veer down to rescue the casualty and take him to safety.

Once the casualty was safely onboard the lifeboat, RNLI volunteers brought in the canoe. The casualty was taken to Garrykennedy Harbour, where he was later met by friends. He did not require medical attention.

Commenting on the callout, Aoife Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘the casualty made the correct decision to request immediate assistance when he realised he needed help.
Remember, the RNLI advises rowers to row in company, check local weather before setting out, carry a reliable means of communication like a VHF radio or waterproof mobile phone, and know how to ‘Float to Live’ if capsized or immersed in cold or deep water.’


Ends


Notes to editors
• Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
• A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Ho**er, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on Eleanor_Ho**[email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.

08/08/2026

A thank you from the fabulous team at
Kilgarvan Angling Club for your generous support for Lough Derg RNLI at their coffee morning.

30/07/2026

Meet the Team: Robert Grace, Honorary Secretary of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee

Robert Grace is a member of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee and is also Rear Commodore of Lough Derg Yacht Club. Both of these roles are voluntary and reflect Robert’s long-standing connection with the lake and his local community.

Robert joined the RNLI fundraising committee in 2024. After the passing of our dear friend and fellow volunteer, Pat Kelly, Robert was invited to take on the role of Honorary Secretary.

However Robert’s connection with the RNLI began many years earlier. In the 1980s he collected for the RNLI on Flag Day in Nenagh. Desmond Fitzgerald was chairperson of the fundraising committee then, and Robert has fond memories of Margaret, Des Fitzgerald’s wife, who was always ready with sweets for the flag sellers and who called everyone ‘sweetie’, a lovely detail that has stayed with him.

Robert’s mother was Honorary Secretary at the time, and he still has her 10-year service badge; a cherished reminder of the part RNLI volunteering has played in his family.

For Robert, volunteering is about making a contribution to a service that matters to the local community. He says ‘it gives one a sense of achievement to give back, and as we have an RNLI lifeboat station in Dromineer, every penny earned helps keep that service going’.

Robert says he found that a friendly smile goes a long way when fundraising. As he puts it, 'I’ve learned that making people feel welcome at the RNLI’s St Patrick’s Day and Christmas sales helps create a positive atmosphere and encourages people to support the charity. I’ve also found that volunteering has made me less self-conscious'.

Robert has spent much of his life around Lough Derg. He grew up spending his childhood and teenage years on the lake and, although he doesn’t sail as much these days, he still enjoys rowing and fishing.

As a member of the Lough Derg RNLI fundraising team, Robert’s time, experience and willingness to get involved, all help support the vital work of the RNLI and our lifeboat station at Dromineer.

Fundraising is an important part of keeping the RNLI’s lifesaving service going. Every event, collection and donation helps provide the equipment, training and support that volunteers need to be ready to respond when someone is in trouble on the water.

RNLI Shannons Ldyc

28/07/2026

A boater's guide to fire safety issued by Waterways Ireland, in partnership with Fire Safety Ireland, the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the Heritage Boat Association.

26/07/2026

A wonderful, social morning at Kilgarvan Harbour for the coffee morning in aid of the RNLI, and organised by the Kilgarvan Angling Club. Thank you for your incredible support for your lifeboat.

Volunteers, helm Owen Cavanagh and crew Tom Hayes, Joe O'Donoghue and Deirdre Gleeson, on exercise on the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat 'Jean Spier' moored up and came in to say hello.

RNLI volunteer Beverly Callender set up her pop-up shop and was supported at her stand by Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Branch and friends of the RNLI based at Kilgarvan.

Also present from Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station to chat to people about the charity were Greg Whelan, Launching Authority, Peter Ho**er, Lifeboat Medical Advisor and Eleanor Ho**er, Lifeboat Press Officer.

Huge thanks too to Lough Derg RNLI Fundraisers Caleb Clarke, Tom Sanders and Bob O'Brien, who work away quietly in the background supporting Lough Derg RNLI.



All photographs by Brenda Ainsworth, Friend of the RNLI

24/07/2026

23/07/2026

🌊World Drowning Prevention Day 🌊

Warm weather and high volume of incidents in July sees the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland 'Unite to Turn the Tide' this World Drowning Prevention Day



The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are joining together ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day this Saturday (25 July) to remember all those who have tragically lost their lives in Irish waters. July 2026 is on course to be one of the busiest months in many years, with record levels of activity and numerous call outs for teams on the coast and on inland waterways.



The theme for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026 is ‘Unite to turn the tide’ with a call on every sector and every level of society to unite to reduce drowning by 35% by 2035.



To date this year, 37 people have lost their lives in Irish waters, with each tragedy leaving a devastating and lasting impact on families, friends and communities.



Recent warm weather has brought significantly more people to Ireland’s beaches, rivers, lakes and coastline, leading to a sharp increase in demand for Coast Guard services and lifeguard interventions.

So far this year, the Coast Guard has coordinated more than 1,700 incidents, resulting in 385 lives saved and over 1,600 people assisted. The scale of demand is reflected in the second week of July alone, when the Coast Guard coordinated 140 incidents, one of the highest incident totals recorded in a single week.



As the organisations reflect on an exceptionally busy summer period, they are urging everyone planning activities on or near the water to be prepared, understand the risks, and take simple steps to help ensure that everyone returns home safely.



🛟If you are taking part in activities on or near the water, remember to:

🌊Check weather forecasts and tide times before heading out.

🌊If walking along the shoreline, remain alert to rising tides, which can quickly lead to stranding

🌊Choose lifeguarded beaches where possible, always swim with others, and stay within your depth

🌊Be aware of rip currents, which can rapidly carry even strong swimmers away from shore

🌊Warm weather does not mean safe water. Cold water can cause cold-water shock, significantly increasing the risk of drowning. Enter the water slowly to allow your body to adjust

🌊 Ensure children are kept under constant, uninterrupted supervision near water

🌊 Avoid alcohol before swimming, operating watercraft, or spending time near the water

🌊 Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when participating in activities on the water

🌊 Pay attention to all water safety signs, flags and local warnings

🌊 Tell someone ashore about your plans and expected return time

🌊 Always carry a means of calling for help, such as a fully charged mobile phone or a marine VHF radio.


⚠️If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Ch 16 or dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.⚠️

21/07/2026

A huge congratulations to Deirdre Gleeson on her RNLI Tier 2 Passout this evening!

Everyone at Lough Derg RNLI would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Deirdre on successfully completing her Tier 2 passout earlier this evening, officially qualifying her as a member of our lifeboat crew.

This is a fantastic achievement and one for which Deirdre has worked incredibly hard over the past number of months. She has put in many hours of classroom and afloat training, building the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for her Tier 2 assessment, and tonight all that hard work was rewarded.

Before heading afloat for her practical assessment, Deirdre completed her theory assessment ashore with Lenny Fourie, Coastal Lifeboat Trainer, covering everything from risk assessment and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS), to buoyage and elements of navigation.

Once afloat, Deirdre was assessed in a range of essential skills, including helming the lifeboat, anchoring and veering, using RADAR, recovering a person from the water and carrying out other emergency procedures.

Deirdre is a Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Medicine, her experience in dealing with people in challenging and often unpredictable situations is a valuable skill she brings to the Lough Derg RNLI crew.

A Tier 2 passout is a significant milestone in a crew member's RNLI training journey. As part of the RNLI Operational Competency Framework (OCF), passouts provide volunteers with a structured pathway to develop their skills and progress through roles, from crew member towards Navigator and ultimately Helm.

Following her successful passout, Deirdre said, 'I’m absolutely delighted to have successfully passed my Tier 2 RNLI assessment. Joining the RNLI has given me fantastic skills, confidence, and a real sense of community, and I’m proud to be part of such an excellent and supportive team. A huge thank you to all the crew members of Lough Derg RNLI Station who helped pull me through the training and encouraged me every step of the way'.

Roger Jones, Lifeboat Training Co-ordinator at Lough Derg RNLI, congratulated Deirdre saying, 'she gives so much of her spare time training and on exercises. We wish her well on her journey to become a Navigator'.

RNLI
📷 by Christine O'Malley and Steve Smyth