Busy week for Howth RNLI volunteer crew members

Monday 10 November 2025

The dedicated volunteers of Howth RNLI have experienced yet another full and rewarding week, marked by both callouts and rigorous training sessions. Their unwavering commitment to safety and excellence was evident as they responded to emergencies and honed their skills through assessments.

Photo Credit: Howth RNLI

At 12:47 pm on Thursday afternoon (6 November), both the All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) and Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) were deployed to a critical search operation off Portmarnock Beach. Following reports of a person in distress in the water, the lifeboats, alongside the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116, conducted an extensive search. Despite their thorough efforts, the search was eventually stood down by the Coast Guard after ensuring the area was clear.

On Saturday afternoon (8 November) at 1:45 pm, the ALB was called upon to assist a motorboat that had broken down north of Lambay Island, with four individuals on board. Demonstrating efficiency and skill, the lifeboat crew reached the distressed vessel within 20 minutes and safely towed it back to Malahide, ensuring the safety of all onboard.

In addition to the callouts, the week was significant for the crew's ongoing development and training. On Tuesday, 4th and Wednesday, 5th November, a dedicated RNLI trainer and assessor visited Howth to conduct assessments for the crew members on both lifeboats.

Congratulations are in order for the following crew members who successfully completed their assessments:

• David Johnston – Tier 1, ILB

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• Aidan Murphy – Tier 2, ILB

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• Eoin Kernan, Aidan Murphy, and Jonny Sargent – Tier 1, ALB

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• Ken Caulfield – Tier 2, ALB

These achievements reflect the crew's dedication and commitment to maintaining the high standards required of RNLI lifeboat teams. Their hard work ensures that they are always prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any emergency.