Brave RNLI crew who saved two lives set to be honoured
any RNLI station in the UK or Ireland.
“Unfortunately, the rum award is something they stopped many, many years ago,” Mick joked.
“Sugar manufacturers used to produce this rum, and as a reward for the longest service at sea in one go, the crew would all get a bottle of rum, and the Arklow crew won it for their service to the motor vessel ‘The Gansey’ that year.
“There was rum on the boats back then for medicinal purposes, and when I was a young fellow, the older generations – and one particular man – used to love it!
“When you rescued someone, you would ask them if they wanted a shot of this ‘Lemon Hart’ rum, which came in these little bottles. Ninety per cent of it was like boot polish.
“The thing was, once those bottles were opened, they couldn’t be resealed, and certain people knew that well.
“I remember one day, this crew member told me to go over and offer the survivor a shot, which they said they didn’t want, and when I went to report back, I was told: ‘Tell him he wants the rum!”
With the Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station’s own 200th anniversary coming in 2026, organisers are already busy brainstorming ahead of what promises to be a monumental celebration for the whole town.
Offering some insight into the festivities, Lifeboat Operations Manager John Bermingham said: “We’re just starting to make plans now, and we’ll hope to have plenty of non-fundraising events to commemorate the big 200.
“We’re setting up a committee at the moment to oversee the celebrations, and we’d like to have events around the town, getting the schools, clubs, local groups and the whole community involved.
“In the RNLI, a station gets a vellum for every 50 years of service, and we hope to be able to display our 200-year one at a gala event to bring the celebrations to an end – that’s the plan for now.”
ARKLOW councillors have expressed their admiration, thanks and desire to honour Arklow Lifeboat crew members who helped save the lives of two fishermen who fell into icy waters at Arklow Harbour last December.
Discussing the daring rescue at February’s Arklow Municipal District meeting, Councillor Peir Leonard recalled the details of the chaotic evening of December 3, when Arklow RNLI volunteers braved stormy conditions to carry out two rescues, assisting the crew of a stranded fishing vessel and helping save two men who had fallen into the waters at Arklow Harbour.
Hours after the Arklow RNLI crew had successfully assisted and towed an enormous 75ft fishing vessel and its crew of five to safety, a second pager alert came through at 1.20 a.m. about two people in the water at Arklow Harbour.
Arklow RNLI volunteers joined local gardai and fire and ambulance teams at the scene, where the two fishermen on shore leave were stranded between two 24m work boats.
When the interagency rescue team made several unsuccessful attempts to get the men to shore, fears began to grow, as the men had been in the cold water for some time and were becoming tired and disoriented.
Acting on those fears, two Lifeboat crew members entered the water to assist in keeping the men’s heads above water and, one by one, crew members slowly managed to get a lifting sling around the casualties, and they were then safely hoisted out of the water by the fire service and attended by ambulance crews.
After reading an email from John Birmingham, Arklow Lifeboat Operations Manager, who noted that the very successful outcome of the incident was “due to the combined efforts of all three emergency services on the night – the fire service, gardai and the RNLI”, Cllr Leonard detailed the contents of the incident report, which officially confirmed the ‘two lives saved’ status.
“This is from the Lifeboats UK head office,” Cllr Leonard began.
“I’d like to notify you that the life-saved claims for the above service have been reviewed by the assessing officer team, and it has been agreed that two lives were saved, joined with the fire brigade and the gardai.
“The Lifeboat station is awarded the life saved and joint life saved to recognise the involvement of the other organisations or persons who added the life-saving intervention.”
After councillors had expressed their thanks to the emergency services involved, Cllr Leonard continued: “Just to add to that, anyone who jumps into the river or the dock needs to be commended for their bravery.
“We all know how polluted it is and the danger that is involved in jumping in the water and putting your own life at risk – especially when you have your own family to look after at home.
“It’s not something that everybody would take upon themselves to do.
“I want to thank everyone involved, and well done to the Lifeboat team for all the work they do.”
Adding his praise, Cathaoirleach of the Arklow Municipal District, Councillor Tommy Annesley, said he had also been contacted by Mr Bermingham, and would support some form of recognition for the rescue.
“We’ve got a voluntary organisation, and we have a paid garda service,” Cllr Annesley said.
“In fairness, gardaí at the moment need all the support they can get, and they need to be recognised as well.
“As you said, it is there in black and white. Anyone who jumps into the river to save a life is to be commended. Never mind the pollution, the cold and the fear they have to overcome.
“I don’t know how we can bring the RNLI, gardaí, fire service and ambulance service into one (recognition).
“So, what are you proposing, Cllr Leonard?” After District Manager Leonora Earls had noted the possibility of a Water Safety Award, Cllr Leonard said that, at a minimum, the councillors should issue a letter acknowledging the services for their actions.
Concluding the discussion, Ms Earls said that she could issue a letter expressing the district’s gratitude and would investigate the criteria for a Water Safety Award.