Irish Lifeboats
Dedicated to the brave crews of the RNLI & CRBI saving lives at sea
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 Coastguard.
Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) operate as available to the Coast Guard, who respond to emergencies in their area of responsibility on a 24hr a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.
CRBI Boats are based at:
- Cahore, Co Wexford
- Tramore, Co Waterford
- Bunmahon Co Waterford
- Bantry, Co Cork
- Derrynane, Co Kerry
- Banna, Co Kerry
- Ballybunion, Co Kerry
- Kilkee, Co Clare
- Schull, Co Cork
- Limerick City (Shannon waterway)
- Corrib/Mask, Co Galway lakes.
The section below contains information on some of the CRBI's.
Bonmahon Lifeguard Club & Inshore Lifeboat
Founded in 1986 the primary role was to provide a voluntary lifeguard service at Bonmahon Beach in Co. Waterford. In July 1990, following a drowning of a young boy at Bonmahon the committee decided we needed to upgrade the service. In 1991 they put in place a full time lifeguard service at Bonmahon which continues to this day backed up by the volunteer service at weekends. It is fully funded by the club. They also put on station an Inshore Lifeboat and quickly became part of the Irish Coastguard System as a Declared Resource under the CIRS banner (Community Inshore Rescue Service) manned 24/7/365. |
Photo : Aubrey Dale |
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association is a voluntary group set up to provide an emergency lifeboat service to the Bantry Bay community. The BISRA was formed in 1987, after the tragic drowning of two young people in the upper bay area. The BISRA currently operate an MST 750 Rescue Craft. Powered by two 150 HP Evinrude V6 2-stroke outboard engines, she achieved a top speed of 46 knots during acceptance trials and has an estimated 5 hours endurance at full speed. Visit the BISRA website. |  Photo : BISRA Website |
Banna Community Rescue Boat Ireland
In 1981 and 1982 two tragic drownings occurred at Banna when two local young people lost their lives. It was with a view of trying to prevent any more tragedies that Banna Sea Rescue was formed. Tramore Sea Rescue provided training to Banna Sea Rescue crew and the old Tramore lifeboat was purchased for use at Banna. Initially working out of two donated steel containers in 1988 they built the present boathouse with the assistance of FAS. In 1993 Banna Sea Rescue became whats known as a declared facility. All this could not have been possible without the assistance of Tramore Sea Rescue, Kerry County Council, RNLI, various companies and individuals and the local community. In 2005 Banna Sea Rescue marked 21 years of service. |  Photo : Banna Sea Rescue Website Visit the Banna Sea Rescue website. |
Cahore Inshore Rescue Service
| The Cahore Inshore Rescue Service was formed in 1994 following the tragic drowning of a local woman. Cahore Inshore Rescue Service is completly independent from the RNLI operates through local donations, and a grant from the Irish Coastguard through the Department of Transport. Cahore Inshore Rescue recently took delivery of its new D class Inshore Lifeboat (ILB). Visit the Cahore Inshore Rescue website. |
Photo : David Quinn |
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