Displaying items by tag: Passage Planning

7th July 2023

Plan and Prepare Before Going Out on the Water, Government Urges

Users of recreational craft including canoes, kayaks, rowing boats, sailing craft and paddle boards are reminded of the importance of planning their voyage and avoiding dangerous weather and sea conditions.

As the high summer period approaches, the Department of Transport is urging all recreational craft users to comply with their voyage planning obligations before undertaking a trip.

Planning for a trip on the water includes considering:

Weather conditions and forecasts
Tides
The limitations of your vessel
Crew experience and physical ability
Any navigational dangers
Having a contingency plan for when things go wrong
Making sure someone knows your plans and what to do if they need to raise the alarm
Having reliable means of communication

Marine Notice No 30 of 2023 highlights this important information and the voyage planning principles. The notice also recommends that before going out on the water, all recreational craft users log a Traffic Report message via the nearest Irish Coast Guard radio station. All persons on board a pleasure craft of less than seven metres in length must wear a personal flotation device or a lifejacket.

Minister of State Jack Chambers said: “As we approach the busy weeks of summer, now is the time to make sure you know your obligations and understand the risks on the water. Be prepared, plan ahead and stay safe.

“I would ask all those who intend to be out on the water over the coming months to prepare, follow the advice and get informed. It’s not worth leaving it to chance.”

For further information on how to stay safe when using recreational craft, read the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.

Published in Water Safety

Tagged under

Marine Notice: Application of SOLAS Chapter V to Recreational Craft

The Department of Transport wishes to highlight the provisions of SOLAS Chapter V to small, privately owned recreational craft.

Although regulation 34 of Chapter V — “Safe navigation and avoidance of dangerous situations” — only applies when proceeding to sea, the department advises all recreational craft users to comply with the voyage planning principles.

These were previously highlighted in Marine Notice No 19 of 2021 following an MCIB report into the rescue of five Kinsale Yacht Club sailors from the yacht Loa Zour amid severe storm conditions off the Spanish coast in June 2019.

In Marine Notice No 30 of 2023, the department underscores this as well as the benefits of radar reflectors, the need for access to an illustrated table of the recognised life-saving signals, requirements around the assistance of other craft, the consequences of misuse of distress signals and more.

Full details can be found in Marine Notice No 30 of 2023 attached below.

Published in Water Safety

Tagged under

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset