Marine Rescue News from Ireland
RTÉ News reports that 10 people were rescued from a boat taking on water off the Blasket Islands yesterday evening, Friday 8 July. Nine of the group took refuge on a local fishing boat that diverted to assist while one…
Dundalk Sub Aqua Search & Rescue Join Finalists in National Lottery Good Causes Awards
30th June 2022 Diving
Dundalk Sub Aqua Search & Rescue have been named as one of five finalists in the Sport category on this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards, as The Argus reports. It comes just months after the Co Louth diving club…
Two River Rescues as well as two Lough Incidents Keep Lough Neagh Rescue in June
17th June 2022 Northern Ireland Waters
On Sunday 5th June lifeboats went to the aid of a jet ski with two people on board in difficulties on the River Blackwater which flows into the south western corner of Lough Neagh. It was towed to Maghery where…
‘It Was Horrible to Be Out There’: Galway Cousins Share the Story of Their Harrowing Paddle Board Ordeal
5th June 2022 Book Review
In the first of three extracts from Lorna Siggins’ new book, Search and Rescue, the journalist and regular Afloat.ie contributor recounts the harrowing ordeal of two Galway cousins, Sara Feeney and Ellen Glynn, who were reported missing on 12 August…
Among the many awards and honours given on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service bestowed on the voluntary independent rescue service, Lagan Search and Rescue. The Award aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer…
Air Corps Bid for Part of New Search and Rescue Contract Rejected as "Not Credible"
30th May 2022 Rescue
The Air Corps bid to deliver a search and rescue service for the eastern seaboard at less than half the cost of an international aviation firm was rejected by senior government officials as not credible, according to tender documentation. As…
Skerries RNLI were tasked Wednesday morning (25 May) by Dublin Coast Guard following 999 calls reporting a paddle boarder in distress in the water off Bettystown beach. Shortly before 11.30am the volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat…
For the seventh year running, the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Awards returns to recognise volunteer and professional search and rescue (SAR) personnel from around the world. From those developing innovative technology and equipment, to those who have dedicated their…
Crowds gathered recently at Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough for the second open evening to be held by the charity Safer Waters. Safer Waters is a unique service in Northern Ireland, established in 2020 to provide a Safety Boat service…
The European Commission says it has approved a €5 million Irish scheme to support "charity operators" of helicopter emergency medical services in Ireland affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The aid will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary; and will be…
New Book on True Stories of Irish Air–Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 is Published
15th May 2022 Book Review
On 13 March 2017, the Rescue 116 crew of Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick, Capt. Mark Duffy, Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith took off from Dublin airport just after 11 p.m. for a medical evacuation off the west coast of Ireland. The…
On Monday, May 2 Lough Neagh Rescue was alerted by Belfast Coastguard to reports of an overturned Jetski in Antrim Bay on the Northeast corner of what is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles and Ireland. Two casualties…
Calls for Greater Public Awareness of Tidal Risks After Three Rescued Off Sandymount
28th April 2022 Water Safety
Calls have been made for greater public awareness over the risks of incoming tides after three people were rescued off Sandymount earlier this week. A multi-agency response involving Dun Laoghaire RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard’s Dublin-based helicopter Rescue 116…
Lagan Search and Rescue is looking for new team members. Based out of Belfast Harbour and Lough, Lagan SAR operates an Independent Lifeboat, Type B Flood Team, Quayside Response, and Rescue Swimmer Corps. The crew is made up of dedicated…
Spanish Fisherman Lost off Canada Had Been Sole Survivor in Previous Sinking off Irish West Coast
17th February 2022 Fishing
One of the 21 fishermen feared dead after a Spanish fishing vessel sank off the Newfoundland coast this week was the sole survivor of a dramatic rescue two decades ago off the Irish west coast. Ricardo Arias Garcia was winched…
Safer Waters Provides Rescue Service for Sailing, Swimming, Paddle Boarding & Windsurfing Events in Northern Ireland
13th February 2022 Rescue
Safer Waters is a unique service in Northern Ireland, established in 2020 to provide a Safety Boat service for water-based community events. The service is there to support events such as Sailing, Swimming, Paddle Boarding and Windsurfing that have no…