#flooding – As Dublin braces itself for more 'very heavy' rain tonight boat owners in the capital are reminded to check boats on moorings and city marinas to ensure they stay afloat.
Small open boats are particularly prone to being waterlogged in heavy rain with consequential electrical damage.
Staff at the country's biggest marina in Dun Laoghaire carry out routine checks but the marina's General Manager Paal Jansen says even boats with automatic bilge pumps need checking by owners because there is no guarantee pumps or batteries will always work.
Batteries can be drained and bilge pumps can get blocked with debris especially on RIBs and small speedboats.
"If you are checking the boat care needs to be taken on gangways and exposed quays particularly in wet weather" Jansen adds.
Dublin is now on full alert for serious tidal flooding amid predictions of heavy rain and strong winds.
High tides, combined with low atmospheric pressure and high winds over the next few days, will give rise to high sea levels and possibly large waves.
Met Eireann also warned that tides are set to rise substantially along parts of Dublin Bay.
City officials have closed floodgates along the River Dodder in the Sandymount and Ringsend areas due to fears of high seas.
According to Met Eireann, heavy rain will spread northwards tonight with some very heavy falls likely in parts of the south particularly.