A major multi-agency search and rescue exercise on Lough Corrib brought together rescue crews from across the west of Ireland on Saturday, October 3rd, including the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115.
Hosted by Galway Civil Defence at Lisloughrey Harbour, Cong, the exercise involved Civil Defence personnel and rescue craft from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Clare, alongside Westport Coast Guard Unit and Corrib Mask Search and Rescue.
The exercise tested how crews from different organisations and counties could combine their resources during a large-scale water search, with a particular focus on interoperability, search planning and communications.
All hands: Rescue craft and crews from Corrib Mask Search and Rescue, Civil Defence units in Galway, Roscommon, Mayo and Clare, and Westport Coast Guard assemble during the major Lough Corrib exercise. Photo: Galway Civil Service
Seven Search Sectors
Following an operational and safety briefing at Lisloughrey, crews were presented with a scenario involving a person reported missing on Upper Lough Corrib.
A search plan divided the designated area into seven sectors, Alpha through Golf, and assigned rescue craft to individual search areas. A shore-based team coordinated communications, mapping, and resource allocation while monitoring overall search progress.
Search control: Digital mapping, communications and resource tracking inside the Civil Defence control unit helped coordinators maintain an overview of the seven search sectors during the Lough Corrib exercise. Photo: Galway Civil Service
The exercise placed particular emphasis on maintaining a common operational picture so coordinators could establish where individual resources were operating, which areas had been searched and what remained outstanding.
Digital mapping systems were used alongside marine navigation equipment to plan and record the operation, while new communications technology was also trialled.
Rescue 115 Joins Exercise
The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 subsequently joined the exercise, working with surface crews to identify a number of exercise targets. Its involvement allowed participants to practise coordination between airborne and water-based search assets while several rescue craft were operating simultaneously on Upper Lough Corrib.
Air support: Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 works above the assembled rescue crews and craft on Lough Corrib, allowing teams to practise coordination between airborne and surface search assets. Photo: Galway Civil Service
The exercise reflects the type of multi-agency response that can be required during a real incident on the lake. As Afloat reported in May 2025, a fisherman in his 80s was found safe following an overnight search on Lough Corrib involving Coast Guard helicopters and local rescue teams.
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue, which participated in Saturday's exercise, is a long-established voluntary rescue service covering the region, whose crews cover Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and surrounding areas.
Challenging Search Environment
Lough Corrib covers approximately 176 square kilometres and extends for around 56km. Its open water, numerous islands, shallow areas and navigational hazards provide a challenging environment for coordinated search operations.
Search territory: Upper Lough Corrib’s islands, shallows and extensive open water provided a challenging setting for the multi-agency search and rescue exercise. Photo: Galway Civil Service
Civil Defence volunteers train in disciplines including water rescue, communications, drone operations, casualty care and search management.
Organisers said the exercise was intended not simply to complete a search scenario but to allow personnel from different organisations to work together, compare equipment and techniques and understand how neighbouring teams operate.
Galway Civil Defence thanked the visiting Civil Defence units from Mayo, Roscommon and Clare, Westport Coast Guard Unit, Corrib Mask Search and Rescue and the crew of Rescue 115 for their participation.
Safe Water Training and Wild Galway Boat Tours were also acknowledged for their support and assistance.
