The RNLI is launching its Christmas fundraising appeal, as its volunteer lifeboat crews including those at Skerries, Howth and Dun Laoghaire, selflessly prepare to spend their Christmas on call.
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year, with 119 launches in 2024.
Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews including those at the charity’s Dublin lifeboat stations, are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and save lives at sea.
These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the RNLI’s volunteer crews are ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer the call for help.
Among those preparing for their first Christmas on call is Peter Duff, the new Lifeboat Operations Manager at Skerries RNLI.
Peter (pictured above), a retired Garda from north Dublin, is three months into his new role and enjoying the responsibility that comes with leading a dedicated team of volunteers.
‘While I am not originally from Skerries, I know it well and socialise here.
“I saw the volunteer position advertised locally on Facebook and when I looked at the competencies required, I felt I had a lot of transferrable skills from my previous career when I worked in management.
“The RNLI is an organisation I always had a great respect for over the years, and I thought I could do this role and would like the opportunity to contribute in some small way.’
In his role as Lifeboat Operations Managers at Skerries, Peter is tasked with the leadership of the station’s operations team, ensuring that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the inshore lifeboat and her associated equipment so they are in a constant state of readiness for launching.
‘It has been a massive learning experience so far and I have been getting to know all the various roles within the station.
“I have met a lot of people by coming down on training nights and doing admin tasks when the volunteers are working and I am learning from other people’s knowledge.’
As for what he finds most rewarding about being involved, Peter says: It’s helping people.
Knowing that you can play some small part in putting the lifeboat on the water and that you can assist the crew in some way when they return, that is rewarding.’
Looking towards his first Christmas on call, Peter says for those at Skerries and across the RNLI, it will be treated the same as every other day: ‘There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families – especially at Christmas. Even at this time of year, people still get in trouble in the water, and we’re all prepared to leave our own celebrations to help them.
‘But as volunteer lifeboat crew we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get home safely to our own families.’
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal