Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
Valentia Coast Guard Co-Ordinating Assistance for Fishing Vessel with 11 crew on Board off South-West Coast
1st June 2022 Coastguard
Valentia Coast Guard is coordinating assistance for a fishing vessel which is on fire off the southwest coast. The British-registered vessel Piedras with a crew of 11 onboard was reported to be taking in water and had lost power approximately…
Government "Absolutely Committed" to Maintaining Waterford Helicopter Search and Rescue Base
31st May 2022 Coastguard
Minister of State for Transport Hildegarde Naughton said the Government is "absolutely committed" to maintaining a search and rescue base at Waterford when she paid tribute to CHC Ireland air crew for the rescue of seven fishermen off the south-west…
A very rare cold-water loving Leopard fish has been caught off Rockall by a Donegal fishing vessel. The Leopard fish, also known as a spotted Wolffish (Anarhichas minor), swims in deep water across parts of the Arctic Ocean and the…
Pet Goldfish a Voracious Threat to Biodiversity if Released into the Wild
30th May 2022 Marine Science
The harmless-looking goldfish is so voracious that attempting to save its life by releasing it into the wild could be “catastrophic” for native biodiversity, a new study suggests. A study by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) scientists assessed the ecological impact…
Eight EU Member States Working with EFCA on Bluefin Tuna Monitoring - Ireland Still has no Quota
28th May 2022 Fishing
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is coordinating the monitoring of the bluefin tuna catch this season with eight member states involved in the fishery. Control and inspections will be pooled among the eight-member states – Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece,…
National Marine Planning Framework Public Consultation Document Published
25th May 2022 Marine Planning
New objectives on energy and on the role of the fishing industry in food security are among changes to the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) which are outlined in a consultation document. The NMPF public consultation was twice extended due…
Irish Coast Guard Says Fixed Wing Aircraft in Solo Sailor Search Tasked by British Authorities
25th May 2022 Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard has said that a fixed-wing aircraft assisting in the search for a solo sailor participating in the OSAR transatlantic race last weekend was despatched by the British authorities. It was responding to queries about whether the…
Overfishing "Falling" in North-East Atlantic - Ifremer Led Evaluation of EU fish Stocks
24th May 2022 Fishing
Overfishing is declining in Europe, but progress is “uneven from region to region”, according to a new evaluation. The European objective of 100 per cent sustainable fishing by 2020 has “not been reached” and climate change is “inevitably” affecting fish…
Inshore fishers will benefit from new Government funding on island infrastructure, marine minister Charlie McConalogue has said. Donegal received the “highest funding allocation” in the grant-aid of almost €286,000 for capital works on island infrastructure projects around the country, Mr…
Capt Robert McCabe Appointed to Chair Government Seafood/Offshore Renewable Energy Working Group
24th May 2022 Marine Planning
Master mariner Capt Robert McCabe has been appointed to chair the Government’s first seafood/offshore renewable energy working group. The two-year appointment was confirmed by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien. Delays in establishing the working group had…
SFPA has "Highest Reputation in Europe" as Regulator - But Can't Sort Fish Landing Row in Killybegs, Oireachtas Committee Hears
20th May 2022 Fishing
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was asked to explain why it couldn’t sort out the fish landings row in Killybegs, Co Donegal, at an Oireachtas committee meeting on Wednesday. “You’ve really significant powers, you’ve attained oversight of the factories…
The Irish Coast Guard is leading a “large-scale maritime exercise” off the Donegal coast today (Wednesday). The exercise, called “Blue Hills”, will test major incident plans, it says. It will also focus on the operational capability and co-ordination of the…
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…
The Fingal Swim Fest on north Dublin’s Donabate/Portrane peninsula and Mayo’s River Moy Swim are among events taking place in June for Swim Ireland’s new open water programme. The Enniscrone Pier swim in Sligo on July 3rd, Youghal Swim Fest…
Irish Coast Guard Training Exercise in Galway Bay Deferred Until Resources Permit (Updated)
17th May 2022 Coastguard
A planned exercise to simulate searching for a missing paddleboarder in Galway Bay has been rescheduled to a later date. The simulated mission involving Irish Coast Guard helicopters and shore units, the RNLI and the Marine Institute was due to take place…
New RNLI Clifden Lifeboat Due with Names of 10,000 Loved Ones On Its Hull
13th May 2022 Wavelength Podcast
A newly built all-weather lifeboat with over 10,000 names on its hull which is due to arrive at the RNLI’s Clifden station in Connemara on Saturday has already recorded its first rescue mission. The Shannon-class lifeboat named St Christopher escorted…
Is Derry on the island of Ireland? That’s a question being asked by fishing industry representatives in a bitter row over how the State’s sea fisheries regulator has been handling landings of valuable blue whiting. The Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation…
Former Army Ranger Henry O'Donnell Completes First Solo Finswim Around Ireland
8th May 2022 Sea Swim
Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O’Donnell has become the first man to finswim around Ireland. The solo swimmer completed 1,569 kilometres, equivalent to 847 nautical miles, when he landed at Carrickfin beach in the Donegal…
Slipping out into Galway Bay before sunrise, several traditional craft from Galway Hooker Sailing Club participated in the Darkness into Light national fundraiser on Saturday. “When a community comes together, it’s amazing what can be done,” the club said after…
A French yawl built from a late 18th-century replica will be on display in Galway as part of a “Mini Brittany Fest” which runs from May 7th to 14th. Mayor of Lorient Fabrice Loher will lead a delegation to Galway…