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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Wicklow RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat returning after the callout
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.50pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 14 June) to assist the crew of a whelk fishing vessel off the Wicklow coast. The skipper contacted Wicklow Head Coast Guard by VHF radio for assistance after…
Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew with the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter
#RNLI - Volunteers from Lough Ree RNLI had a successful training exercise with the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 yesterday (Sunday 11 June). The lifeboat and helicopter crews came together for a joint training exercise at Lough Ree…
Branch chairman Noel Phillips, lifeboat crew Derek Shevlin, Drogheda Harbour Master Captain Martin Donnelly, Drogheda Mayor Oliver Tully and lifeboat crew Barbara Kirk at the launch of Clogherhead RNLI’s lifeboat appeal
#RNLI - Clogherhead RNLI in Co Louth officially launched the station’s €150,000 Shannon lifeboat appeal on the final day of the Drogheda maritime festival yesterday (Sunday 11 June). The total cost of Clogherhead’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat will be…
Larne RNLI Assists Three people Onboard 36ft–Vessel with Engine Difficulties
Larne RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat Dr John McSparron and inshore lifeboat Terry this afternoon (Sunday 11 June) to a 36ft yacht experiencing engine difficulties near the entrance to Larne Lough. The all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Frank Healy launched at…
The lifeboat crew observed that the man was trapped in an isolated area among large boulders
Red Bay RNLI in County Antrim rescued a fisherman in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 10 June) after he fell and became trapped between rocks near Glenarm Marina. The volunteer crew was requested to launch both their all-weather…
Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
#RNLI - Lough Derg RNLI rescued three people from two grounded yachts in two separate callouts on Sunday (4 June). At 11.22am, as the lifeboat crew were returning to station following morning exercise, they were requested by Valentia Coast Guard…
The RNLI and Nicholson's pub chain work together on Respect the Water
#WaterSafety - Pub chain Nicholson’s have shown there are no half measures when it comes to water safety, after pledging the company’s support for the RNLI’s drowning prevention campaign Respect the Water. The chain’s Crown Liquor Saloon pub on Belfast’s…
The Eric Rowse on scene with grounded 25ft cruiser
#RNLI - A busy June bank holiday weekend for Lough Ree RNLI continued yesterday (Monday 5 June) with the rescue of six people across two grounded cruisers in a single callout.The lifeboat crew were first alerted by the Irish Coast…
Lough Ree RNLI on exercise
#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI assisted two people aboard a grounded motor cruiser yesterday afternoon (Sunday 4 June) on the eastern shore of Lough Ree. The alarm was raised at 12.19pm when two people on board the 34ft cruiser went…
Lough Ree RNLI’s lifeboat crew shortly after launch
#RNLI - The volunteer crew of Lough Ree RNLI were alerted by the Irish Coast Guard yesterday afternoon (Saturday 3 June) to attend a medical emergency on an island in Lough Ree.The alarm was raised shortly after 1pm on behalf…
The area where the UK yacht sank this afternoon
Three UK sailors, two men and a woman, were rescued off the Wexford coast this afternoon after their 39–foot yacht got into difficulty. The yacht sank quickly after a toilet fractured and it started taking on water in ten–foot swells off…
RNLI & Irish Coast Guard Urge People To Respect The Water This June Bank Holiday
#WaterSafety - The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI have issued a joint call urging people to be vigilant and take care in and on the water or along the coastline this June Bank Holiday weekend and over the summer…
Skerries RNLI coming alongside the disabled fishing trawler
#RNLI - Skerries RNLI launched on Tuesday evening (30 May) after the Irish Coast Guard received reports of a distress flare fired from a trawler near Balbriggan.The lifeboat — with helm David Knight and crew Stephen Crowley, AJ Hughes and…
The Duke of Kent was greeted by Kilrush's volunteer lifeboat operations team, lifeboat crew  members and the local fundraising branch
The Duke of Kent visited Kilrush RNLI yesterday afternoon as part of a two-day tour of lifeboat stations in Tipperary, Clare and Kerry. The Duke has been President of the RNLI since 1969. The Duke of Kent arrived at Kilrush…
The Irish Coast Guard were involved in the search for Jamie McAllister, whose body was recovered on Saturday 27 May
#MCIB - The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) will this week begin its inquiry into the sinking of a fishing vessel off Skerries last Friday (26 May) that claimed the life of a local fisherman, according to The Irish Times.…
Dunmore East RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Elizabeth and Ronald
#RNLI - Dunmore East RNLI rescued two divers who got into difficulty off Hook Head in Co Wexford on Sunday afternoon (28 May). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 1.19pm following a report from the…

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.