RNLI puts out its Mayday call as charity’s lifeboats launch 235 times in 2025
The RNLI has today released new data from 2025, which shows lifeboats in Northern Ireland launched 235 times last year with volunteer crews at its 10 lifeboat stations, bringing 214 people to safety, three of whom were lives saved. 80 of those launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.
Locally, Carrybridge RNLI launched 20 times in 2025 on Upper Lough Erne, with volunteer crew coming to the aid of 48 people. Some six of those lifeboat launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.
Meanwhile, RNLI lifeguards responded to 329 incidents and came to the aid of 382 people, seven of whom were lives saved.
The RNLI data shows the high demand on lifeboat crews and lifeguards and so the charity is putting out its own Mayday call, urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile, to help fund its vital lifesaving service.
Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond.
David Reid, Carrybridge RNLI Helm says: ‘Each year we see how quickly things can change on the water. Our crews are always ready to respond, but we can only do what we do thanks to the public’s generosity. This May, we’re asking people to step up and support us through the Mayday Mile so we can keep saving lives when it matters most.
‘The new figures show just how demanding last year was. Every launch represents someone in urgent need — and our volunteers drop everything to help. With summer approaching, Mayday is our chance to make sure we have the equipment and training needed for whatever comes next.’
Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea and on our inland waterways.
Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Water Safety Lead, said: ‘These latest statistics make it clear that our lifesaving service remains as vital as ever. Whether it’s paddleboarders caught by offshore winds, walkers stranded by the tide or boaters in difficulty, our crews are answering calls every day of the year.
‘Taking part in the Mayday Mile is a simple way for people to support our volunteers. Every pound raised helps ensure our crews can launch at a moment’s notice — and be there for families when they need us most.’
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
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RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, email [email protected] or Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547, email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124, email [email protected] or Ciaran Dixon, RNLI Communications Placement on email [email protected]
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and, provides a seasonal lifeguard service on beaches along the Causeway Coast and in County Down. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.