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Displaying items by tag: 10 days plus

Naval Service crew are to see their allowance payment doubled as the Government has announced such payments will take effect, but only after ten days are spent at sea, reports RTE News.

Currently, the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) is paid at just over €64 per day to all crew, but as of 1 January, 2024, the allowance will be increased to over €128 per day after an initial ten days are conducted on voyage patrol duties.

Announcing the measure, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence said: “I very much welcome this new measure, which provides greater clarity on the overall package available to our Naval Service personnel and potential recruits."

“The challenges facing the Naval Service and the wider organisation are well documented, but the commitment, courage and excellence of our serving members is clear, as recently demonstrated in the recent detention of the cargo vessel MV Matthew."

“This is part of our ongoing investment in our Defence Forces; in its people, infrastructure, capabilities and culture.”

Introduction of next year’s measures, it is hoped will help to reduce the crewing crisis of recent years in the Naval Service and make the job more attractive in recruiting new personnel.

In addition to the doubling of the PDA, in turn this to boost the ability of the Naval Service to have all of its ships, Afloat adds with exception of Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) due in service next year, rather than having the majority of them in dock, as is currently the case because of a lack of crew.

RTE News has more here.

Only two vessels, Afloat highlights are operational for the remainder of this year, the offshore patrol vessels (OPV) of the P60 class, the leadship LÉ Samuel Beckett (P61) and LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63).

Published in Navy

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.