Lifeboat crew receive callout in middle of taking photo to mark RNLI's 200th anniversary

Howth RNLI volunteers gathered to mark 'One Moment for One Crew' to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI. Picture: RNLI/Johnny Wormold

An RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from Howth RNLI launched a rescue operation on Thursday evening, right as they and their colleagues gathered to take a photograph to mark the charity's 200th anniversary. 

RNLI, which was founded in 1824, had asked its volunteers and staff from around Ireland and the UK to take a photo of themselves, their crew or their team, at as close to 18.24 on August 1, 2024 as possible to mark its 200th year. 

As volunteers began to assemble at Howth Lifeboat Station shortly after 6pm, the crew received a request came in from lifeguards on Portmarnock beach who had observed an inflatable kayak with two people on board being blown far offshore.  

At the time, the crew's inshore lifeboat was already in the water in preparation for the station photograph. Thus, the crew were able to launch immediately. 

The RNLI lifeboat reached the inflatable kayak within ten minutes. A passing motorboat, which had heard the VHF radio communications between the lifeboat and Dublin Coast Guard, had stood by the it awaiting the RNLI crew's arrival. 

Thereafter, the volunteers took the two kayakers on board the lifeboat and assessed their condition, before bringing their kayak itself on board. 

The RNLI lifeboat then made its way to Portmarnock Beach the two kayakers were handed into the care of the beach lifeguards.

Speaking following the incident, Ronan Murphy, helm of the Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat said Thursday's launch was one of the crew's quickest ever, given their lifeboat was already in the water. 

"Thankfully, this gave us precious minutes to reach the two persons in difficulty who had already been blown almost 500 metres offshore by the time we reached them," he said.

Mr Murphy said, though the crew had we missed the opportunity to take part in the RNLI's 'One Moment One Crew' photograph at the Howth station, he said the situation was "a really great example of the value of our lifesaving work." 

"Our volunteer crew will drop what they're doing once the pager goes off to get out there and save lives at sea. That has been our charity's mission for 200 years, and we hope to be in a position to continue that service for 200 more here at Howth," he said. 

Mr Murphy also said that Friday's callout also showed how "things can change very quickly and with inflatables like these, even the slightest wind can take them out to sea". 

He also said that anyone considering heading out to sea should "carefully consider the suitablility of inflatables in Irish waters" and check the weather forecast and tides beforehand.

It’s also really important that anyone going out on the water wears a life jacket that is suitable for the activity they are doing and that it is in good working order and fits well," he added. 

"You should also carry a means of calling for help. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch can work well for kayakers who are staying close to the shore."