Dún Laoghaire RNLI reminds parents to take water safety precautions this summer

Friday 5 June 2026

Lifeboat volunteers at Dún Laoghaire RNLI came to the aid of four adults and two children this Friday afternoon (5 June).

Dún Laoghaire RNLI arriving on scene to assist 3 people on a RIB with engine failure

The All-Weather lifeboat, Anna Livia launched on a callout this afternoon at 3.35 pm, to two adults and a child on board a 4 metre RIB that had broken down near the Muglins, south of Dalkey. The RIB's engine regained power and returned to Dún Laoghaire Harbour under escort from the lifeboat.

However, on approach to the East Pier, the all-weather lifeboat was alerted by Dublin Coast Guard and diverted immediately to another callout responding to a capsized kayak, with two adults and a child near Sandycove.

All three people were rescued from the water and brought to Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station, where paramedics and ambulances were waiting to administer medical attention.

Coxswain Kieran "Colley" O'Connell said, 'We want to remind parents to ensure that children wear lifejackets that are the correct size and appropriate to their weight.'

'We also wish to acknowledge the local lifeguards, Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard, local Gardaí, Coast Guard Helicopter 116 and the National Ambulance Service for their continued support and co-operation.'

All-weather lifeboat crew were navigator Lorcán O'Kane, Gary Hayes, Dan Philips, Hazel Rae, and Ciara Doran. Andrew Collins was Duty Launch Authority.

With more families taking to water-based activities on coasts this summer, remember to wear a lifejacket, check tide times, and float to live. Call 112 or 999 if you see someone in difficulty.

Last week, Dun Laoghaire lifeboat volunteers were paged seven times, with three back-to-back callouts on one day alone.

Details of recent callouts below, including a life saved:

Tuesday afternoon 26 May 3:25pm - Mareto Beach, Seapoint: False alarm with good intent
Tuesday night 26 May 8:20pm - Sandymount Strand: Inshore lifeboat launched to assist a group were cut off by the rising tides
Wednesday morning 27 May 11:55am - Tasked to 7 people onboard a RIB between Bull Wall and Green Lighthouse, that had struck an object in water and damage was sustained
Friday morning 29 May 2:27am - Inshore lifeboat rescued an exhausted kayaker from the water off Killiney Beach in the early hours of the morning.
Friday afternoon 29 May 5:27pm - All-weather lifeboat was paged to a 27 tonne/18 meter sailing vessel, but did not launch upon assessment.
Friday evening 29 May 9:27pm - Two people cut off by tide in Sandymount, rescued from the water by the inshore lifeboat and brought to Dún Laoghaire lifeboat station for medical assessment.
Sunday afternoon 31 May 2:20pm - Inshore lifeboat was paged to a person in the water under Wooden Bridge, Bull Island in Dalymount.

Aoife Ward, Dún Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer says, "Our station is able to respond to a high volume of shouts like we've seen this past week due to the dedicated volunteer crew of both lifeboats."

"I'd like to acknowledge Launch Authorities Declan Traynor and Andrew Collins, and the attending crew from what was a busy week: Gary Hayes, Paul Cummins, James Traynor, Ronan Adams, Simon Wall, Ciaran Deane, Rory Bolton, Dave Farrell, Jay Farrelly, David Branigan, Kieran O' Connell, Dan Philips, Alan Keville, Moselle Foley, Nathan Burke."

Ends

Dún Laoghaire RNLI rescuing 3 kayakers on the water in Sandycove

Dún Laoghaire RNLI crew assisting 2 adults and a child from the water

National Ambulance Service Paramedics, Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit and Dún Laoghaire RNLI assembled at the lifeboat station

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Aoife Ward, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]k

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.

We can’t save lives without you

Dún Laoghaire RNLI reminds parents to take water safety precautions this summer

RNLI Media Contacts

Key facts about the RNLI

Learn more about the RNLI

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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