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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
RNLI Set to Smash World Record in Derry City for the Longest Riverdance Line
The charity that saves lives at sea is planning a major event in the city of Derry on Sunday 9 May 2010. The RNLI want to smash the current world record for the number of Irish dancers dancing in a…
Irish Sea gets royal rescuer
Prince William could live up his surname - Wales - with his new job posting. The king-to-be would, appropriately, be flying Sea King helicopters out of the Royal Air Force's Angelsey base, just across the water from Dublin. If he…
Volcanic Ash Cloud Restricts Coastguard Helicopters
As a precaution Irish Coast Guard helicopter operations off the east and south-east coast are being restricted to daytime operations only because of the movement of a volcanic ash cloud over Ireland. The Department of Transport this afternoon will chair…
A woman out walking her dog had a lucky escape this afternoon when she became trapped in mud near Hop Island in Cork harbour on a rising tide. The women went after her dog which ran onto the mud banks…
Donaghadee RNLI Crew Members to Receive Awards
Seven lifeboat Crew Members from Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat station are to be recognised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for their part in an early morning rescue that took place in horrendous weather conditions and resulted in three lives being…
Afloat.ie: Ice Warning Issued
Irish Water Safety's, John Leech is advising parents to supervise their children over the next few days until the current spell of hard weather moves away.His best advice is to stay off the ice. Children will be tempted to play on…
Afloat.ie: French Vessel Towed to Ballycotton
After establishing a towline, Ballycotton lifeboat took a French fishing vessel with five people onboard back to Ballycotton harbour this lunch time. The tow speed was reduced as the wind in the area was fresh, blowing NNE Force 6. The…
Afloat.ie: Ballycotton update–Vessel in Tow
Ballycotton's RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched at 08:30 and arrived at the casualty at 09:40. A towline was established and the fishing vessel, with five persons aboard, was taken under tow.  The tow speed was reduced as the wind in…
Afloat.ie: Ballycotton Lifeboat Launches for French Vessel
Ballycotton lifeboat crew pagers activated this morning at 08:10 am requesting them to go to the assistance of a 20 metre French fishing vessel in difficulties, 20 miles east of Ballycotton. The RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched at 08:30 am…
Afloat.ie: Busiest Year on Record for Rescue Services
The Irish Coast Guard air sea rescue service has marked its busiest year on record, and says changing climate has had a major influence on its activities. Lorna Siggins has the details in the Irish Times here .
Afloat.ie: Christmas Day swim in aid of Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat
The weather leading up to Christmas 2009 was arctic; perhaps even too cold for the hardy men and women who take an annual dip for charity.  At 7:00am on Christmas morning the ground in East Cork was covered with ice…
Afloat.ie: Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Makes Stephen's Day Rescue
Two people were rescued when their boat encountered difficulties at nightfall on Dublin Bay this evening and were brought to safety by the Dun Laoghaire RNLI Inshore lifeboat (ILB). The initial alert came shortly after 4.00pm when the 21ft open…
Afloat.ie: RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Ready for Christmas Call Outs
Last year, Irish lifeboats launched 14 times during Christmas week (from 24 December to 1 Jan inclusive). This Christmas season Irish lifeboat volunteers with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) may well leave festive family celebrations behind again to brave…
Afloat.ie: Christmas Day Swim Advice
Irish Water Safety has issued a warning to cover activities over the holidays including Christmas Day swims. Christmas Charity Swims The Christmas season in Ireland is a time when thousands of people around the country traditionally run sponsored swims in…
Afloat.ie: Report into Death of Yachtsman off Bray Head Published
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has published its Investigation Report into the loss of a man overboard from the yacht "Alana" and his subsequent death off Bray Head, Co. Wicklow on 14th September 2008. Whilst participating in the annual Sean…
Afloat.ie: Large Swell Capsized Fishing Boat-Report
A Report of Investigation into the capsize of the "Barbara Mary", at Kildee Bay, Co. Clare on 18th September 2008 has been published by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. At around 15.15 hrs on 18th September a five metre glass…

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.