Marine Rescue News from Ireland
Complaint by Whistleblower on Under-Recording of Lifeguard Rescues in Clare Upheld
21st August 2023 Rescue
An investigation into a claim under protected disclosure by a senior lifeguard that rescues off Co Clare’s coastline was under-recorded has found a discrepancy of 44 per cent in the figures. As The Sunday Independent reports, the investigation into the…
RNLI Testing Specialised Drone Technology to Aid in Rescues and Water Safety
19th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
The RNLI has partnered with the UK’s Royal Life Saving Society to test the use of drones in emergency responses. As Marine Industry News reports, RNLI lifeguards in Cornwall have been using a waterproof drone from Swell Pro to help…
Tragedy was averted this August Bank Holiday weekend when a grandfather and his grandson were rescued from the sea after their kayak capsized off White Strand in Co Kerry. As the Kerryman reports, emergency services including the Irish Coast Guard’s…
On Monday last (17th), several search and rescue teams held a very active training session out of the village of Groomsport on the North Down coast. Taking part alongside Lagan Search and Rescue’s Ribcraft Class 1 Lifeboat were Bangor Atlantic…
Galway Fire and River Rescue Crews Endangered by Disused Traps on Corrib
10th July 2023 Galway Harbour
A multi-agency group warns that lives of rescuers on Galway’s river Corrib are being put at risk by salmon and eel traps on a city stretch below the Salmon Weir. As The Sunday Independent report, Galway’s chief fire officer Gerry…
Fishermen Brought to Port in Castletownbere After Fire Engulfs Spanish Trawler
5th July 2023 Fishing
Fifteen crew members from a Spanish hake trawler made landfall at Castletownbere hours after their vessel caught fire off the South West Coast at the weekend, as The Journal reports. The fishing crew were rescued from their lifeboats by another…
A kitesurfer who sustained serious injuries in an incident in Co Wexford on Sunday (28 May) is expected to make a full recovery. As the Wexford People reports, the casualty had been kitesurfing on Lady’s Island Lake south of Rosslare…
Global Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Community Urged to Highlight Operational Excellence
10th May 2023 Rescue
Nominations for this year's International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) annual awards have opened, which looks to recognise volunteer and professional maritime search and rescue (SAR) personnel from around the world. This year’s awards, which will be the eighth to take…
Little and Large: Small Sailboat in Distress Finds Unlikely Rescuer in Form of 50m Tall Ship
8th May 2023 Tall Ships
A small sailboat in distress off the French coast recently had the most unlikely of rescuers in the form of an enormous tall ship. The 47m Götheborg of Sweden was en route to Jersey on Tuesday, 25 April, when it…
IMRF Launches #FutureSAR Climate Change Initiative in Collaboration with Lloyd's Register Foundation
30th April 2023 Rescue
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has launched its #FutureSAR initiative that will look to identify the key challenges the global maritime search and rescue (SAR) industry will face as a result of climate change. The IMRF will also propose…
New recruits in the Irish Coast Guard as well as search and rescue teams on loughs Neagh and Foyle are featured in a new four-part Irish-language TV series following the next generation of emergency workers. 999 Faoi Oiliúint debuted on RTÉ…
The RNLI has revealed an increase in the number of our furry friends it plucked from the seas in 2022. Man’s best friend made up the majority of the 209 creature callouts last year with the charity recording 164 dog…
Forty people were rescued after a passenger vessel ran aground in Lough Derg on Saturday afternoon (18 March). Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was dispatched to the scene where the 40ft passenger vessel was aground on a rocky shoal off…
Creeslough Paramedic Wins Inaugural Award Named after Rescue 116 Pilot Capt Dara Fitzpatrick
10th March 2023 Rescue
A new award named after Rescue 116 pilot Capt Dara Fitzpatrick has been presented to a paramedic who was one of the first responders at the explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal, last October. As The Irish Examiner reports, paramedic Frances…
The State is to fully fund the air ambulance helicopter service initiated by a north Cork-based charity. Maltese company Gulf Med has been awarded the contract for the air ambulance service from the end of February. AirMed&Rescue reports that the…
Capsize of Three Rowing Boats on Fast Flowing Corrib Prompts Call for Dedicated River Rescue Craft
21st January 2023 Rowing
The University of Galway says it is inquiring into a recent incident on the river Corrib where up to ten people were rescued after their rowing craft were swept towards the salmon weir. The university says no one was injured,…