New rescue figures reveal RNLI came to the aid of 469 people in Northern Ireland
The RNLI has today released its rescue figures for 2024, which show the charity came to the aid of 469 people in Northern Ireland last year, 16 of whom were lives saved*.
Lifeboats located across the RNLI’s 10 lifeboat stations in Antrim, Down and Fermanagh, launched 206 times in 2024, with volunteer crews coming to the aid of 234 people, 11 of whom were lives saved. Some 59 of those lifeboat launches were carried out in the hours of darkness. The RNLI’s lifeguards meanwhile, who are located seasonally on beaches along the Causeway Coast and in County Down, responded to 204 incidents, coming to the aid of 235 people, five of whom were lives saved.
Locally, Carrybridge RNLI launched 18 times in 2024 on Upper Lough Erne, with volunteer crew coming to the aid of 33 people. Some 9 of those lifeboat launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, and urging the public to get involved with its national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile. 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.
Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Stephen Scott says: ‘Usually it’s our lifeboats crews heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help. Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.’
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 inland waterways.
Stephen added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes. We’re now heading towards our busiest time of year, so we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today, and allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
Ends
Note to Editor
*The RNLI defines a life saved as an incident where, had it not been for the intervention of the RNLI, emergency services and/or a third party, a life would have been lost.
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, Regional Communications Manager on 000353 876483547 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Communications Lead on 00353 871254124 email [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 00353 874764436 email [email protected]
RNLI online
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 is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has lifeguard beaches along the Causeway Coast and in county Down which it operates seasonally. 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 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 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.