Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a 12-week call for evidence on the definition of pleasure vessels, seeking feedback on how the distinction between recreational and commercial boating is understood and applied in practice. The exercise, announced on Tuesday,…
Enniskillen RNLI volunteers assisted two people after their boat ran aground in thick fog on Lower Lough Erne on Sunday, 8 November. The station's inshore lifeboat, John and Jean Lewis, launched at 4 pm after Belfast Coastguard requested assistance when a vessel…
Lough Swilly RNLI in Donegal has congratulated volunteer crew members Barry Nixon and Colin McBrearty on successfully achieving operational milestones on the station’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat. Their achievements mark a significant milestone in both volunteers’ RNLI training and operational…
A crew member of the Greencastle-based fishing vessel Marliona died after falling overboard during fishing operations approximately 80 nautical miles west of Malin Head, Co Donegal, according to a newly published marine accident investigation report. The Marine Accident Investigation Unit…
Wicklow RNLI volunteers launched both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats on Sunday morning (1 November) following reports of two swimmers in difficulty at Blainroe, south of Wicklow Head. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin, the National Ambulance…
Youghal RNLI was involved in a multi-agency rescue on Thursday morning (5 November) after a car got into difficulty on the Waterford side of Youghal Bridge. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 9.04am. The lifeboat,…
Portrush RNLI all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by the coastguard on Sunday evening (1 November) at 7.06pm to reports of a 14-metre fishing vessel that had suffered engine failure just off Ballycastle Harbour. The volunteer crew launched at 7.26pm…
Newly published UK Coastguard research has highlighted potential staffing difficulties for coastal rescue teams under proposed changes to the employment arrangements of Coastguard Rescue Officers, with implications for Northern Ireland's network of rescue stations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)…
Irish Coast Guard Awards Contracts for 38 New SAR Vessels under Major Fleet Renewal Programme
29th October 2026 Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard has awarded two contracts to French boatbuilder Zodiac Milpro for the design, construction and delivery of 38 new-generation search and rescue vessels as part of a major fleet renewal programme. The contracts will provide 21 new…
Wexford Lifeboat Called to Assist Windsurfer in Difficulty During Storm Boelo
28th October 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Wexford RNLI volunteers were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at 3.20pm on Saturday (24 October 2026) following reports from members of the public on the shore of a windsurfer in difficulty near Ardcavan beach…
The US visitor who nearly lost his life after a wave swept him off the middle ledge at Poll na bPéist, Inis Mór, last month has described the details of his rescue. As he recounts in an interview with RTÉ…
Met Éireann has issued multiple weather warnings for Storm Boelo, which will bring gale-force westerly winds with severe and damaging gusts and spells of heavy rain. Strong onshore winds, high tides, surge and large waves may cause overtopping and coastal…
The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI have issued a joint water safety warning ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend as Storm Austen approaches Ireland, bringing the prospect of strong winds and heavy rain. The three organisations…
A new 63-page report from the Cruising Club of America (CCA) examines 28 yacht-to-yacht crew rescues, offering practical lessons for offshore sailors who may find themselves the nearest — or only — vessel able to answer a Mayday. Produced with…
Tramore Lifeboat Assists Two Fishermen After Vessel Suffers Engine Failure
20th October 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Tramore RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat last Friday (16 October) to assist two people aboard a small fishing boat that had suffered engine failure off the Waterford coast. The crew’s pagers sounded at noon following a request to launch…
Howth RNLI has confirmed that construction is underway on its new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat, which will replace the station's Trent-class Roy Barker III next year after almost 25 years of service. Howth RNLI's new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat is already under…
