#kayak – A kayaker has been located safe and well after he capsized in the Gulf of Corryvreckan.

Belfast Coastguard was contacted by a local fishing vessel just after 3.30pm this afternoon, reporting that they had spotted the kayak upside down in the water, along with other items including a lifejacket, food parcels, a paddle and a wetsuit.

The Jura Coastguard Rescue Team, the RNLI Islay all-weather lifeboat and the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick were sent to the scene to carry out a thorough search. Belfast Coastguard also issued a mayday relay broadcast on VHF Channel 16 to other vessels in the area to report back if they had any information.

Police Scotland then contacted Belfast Coastguard to let them know that the man had turned up at a house nearby. It emerged that he had capsized and was unable to collect his equipment so swam to shore. He then walked several miles barefoot to a house to raise the alarm.

Graeme Watters, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard, said:
"This kayaker was well equipped but unfortunately capsized and wasn't able to collect all of his equipment.
"We always advise kayakers to wear a buoyancy aid, carry distress flares that are stowed where you can reach them and carry a VHF marine band radio so you can contact the Coastguard if you get into difficulty or distress.
"It may also be worth signing up to CG66, which is free and records details of your kayak and shore contacts for use in an emergency."

#Coastguard - The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) has launched a new summer water safety campaign designed to protect children on beaches and near coastlines.

The IRCG is distributing thousands of free waterproof wristbands under the ‘Give Us A Hand’ campaign.

Parents or guardians can write their phone numbers on the wristband so that lifeguards, emergency services or members of the public can contact the child’s parents if the child becomes lost or becomes separated.

The wristbands have been made available to IRCG volunteer units for distribution through schools, lifeguard stations and maritime community events around the country. The wristbands carry a message reminding the public to call 112 and ask for the coastguard for beach, water or cliff emergencies.

The wristband concept is very simple: it’s made of water resistant Tyvek material which is strong and difficult to tear. The bands were designed and developed free of charge by coastguard volunteers and are a practical, simple way to assist families.

Finding a lost child at a busy beach is a very stressful experience for both parent and child. Coastal or waterside areas present further dangers with open water, sand dunes and exposed cliffs all adding to concerns.

Following a day at the beach, the band can easily be removed using scissors and disposed of by a parent or guardian.

This is the latest stage in the Irish Coast Guard’s summer safety campaign headed by its first TV advertising campaign, as previously reported on Afloat.ie. 

Meanwhile, the Galway Advertiser reports that Galway City councillors have approved €6,000 in funding for promoting water safety in the city.

#Offshore - BBC News reports that a sailor who went missing last week during a solo voyage from Plymouth to Portugal has been located and airlifted to hospital after falling overboard.

The 66-year-old man set off last Monday 10 June but apparently suffered chest injuries during the first night.

Falmouth Coastguard has difficulty contacting the man to determine his position but he was eventually found some 225km off the Isles of Scilly. He was later transported by helicopter to Cork for treatment.

#Coastguard - Last weekend 8-9 June was the Irish Coast Guard's busiest since 1991 for search and rescue indigents, as reported yesterday on Afloat.ie.

Today's Irish Examiner goes deeper into the figures, which show more than 53 coastguard search and rescue incidents took place around the country last Saturday and Sunday - ranging from missing persons to swimmers in difficulty, vessels broken down, missing children, personal watercraft and speedboats operating in a hazardous way and urgent medical evacuations. 

In addition, the Irish Coast Guard's rescue helicopter fleet – not including any of the other IRCG units – was tasked a massive 18 times over the weekend alone.

The fleet was this week bolstered by the arrival of two Sikorsky S-92s previously flown by the British Coastguard.

Set to operate from Shannon, the choppers join the state-of-the-art Rescue 115 which has been operational since last year, and was last week on course to conduct the Irish Coast Guard's longest range mission ever.

#Coastguard - The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) has launched its new 'Stay Safe on the Water' TV advertising campaign aimed at families, leisure users and the fishing industry during the busy summer months. 

This is the coastguard’s first TV advertisement, having its premiere on RTÉ One television this evening after 6pm. 

The IRCG was motivated to launch its first TV water safety campaign following the success of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) TV campaigns. The new 20-second adverts will run from now until the end of August.

Coastguard statistics have recorded 11 deaths by drowning in Irish waters so far this year, and last weekend was the Irish Coast Guard's busiest since 1991 for search and rescue incidents. 

Speaking at the launch, IRCG manager Declan Geogheghan said: “This summer we began our 2013 safety awareness campaign in May and we want to strongly get across the safety message to families, leisure users and the fishing industry about going out on the water.  

"We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors this summer weather but remember to heed our advice to ensure that you and your family and friends stay safe.”

Last Saturday and Sunday saw more than 53 coastguard search and rescue incidents taking place around the country. Of these, 21 were co-ordinated by the Dublin Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), 18 by Valentia MRCC and 14 by Malin MRCC.

These incidents ranged from missing persons, swimmers in difficulty, vessels broken down, missing children, personal watercraft and speedboats operating in a hazardous way and urgent medical evacuations. 

Coastguard helicopters alone – not including any of the other IRCG Units – were tasked a massive 18 times over the weekend.

“The pleasant, warm weather brings thousands of people to our coastlines, to our beaches and the outdoors," said Geoghegan. "We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors but to remember to take simple, basic advice about staying safe on the water and along cliff paths, when hill walking and enjoying the outdoors. 

"Time and again, we see people ignoring basic safety advice, taking risks and then getting into difficulty, sometimes leading to loss of life. The coastguard is a 24/7 service but we must again advise caution as too many people are taking risks and ignoring our advice.

For specific advice and information on any water and coastal activity, visit www.safetyonthewater.ie.

Throughout the summer, as at other times of the year, Irish Coast Guard units throughout Ireland will patrol our waterways and coastlines issuing safety advice and information to holidaymakers, tourists and marine users.

The following are general safety tips and advice from the IRCG to help enjoy the water and coastal activities in your area this weekend and throughout the summer:

Swimming

Only swim at beaches and waterways that have lifeguards on duty and pay attention to the safety flags. Ask the lifeguard for advice about safety and water conditions and adhere to their instructions. Avoid using inflatable toys, such as li-los and rubber rings, on the water.

Cliff Walking

There is safety in numbers, so never be alone if possible. Let somebody know when and where you are going and what time you will be back. Stay well away from the cliff edge, both top and bottom. Don’t attempt to rescue people or pets if they fall over the edge. If assistance is required dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Water Sports and Coastal Activities

Before going to sea check local weather conditions and tides in the area. Wear correctly maintained and fitting lifejackets that are suitable for the activity. Lifejackets are of no use unless they are worn. Ensure your craft is fit for purpose. Always advise someone as to where you are going and the time of your intended return. Do not overload the craft. If you are in difficulty or see someone in difficulty and requiring assistance dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Finally, under no circumstances should anyone ever engage in water activities under the influence of alcohol.

#Coastguard - What would have been the Irish Coast Guard's longest ever rescue mission was stood down at the last minute after the casualty in question was deemed to be in a stable condition.

According to the Irish Independent, the Shannon-based coastguard rescue helicopter was dispatched on the 300-nautical-mile mission to retrieve a man in his 70s from a cruise liner en route to Cobh from the United States.

The distance was so great that the helicopter, the new Sikorsky S-92 with the call sign Rescue 115, was forced to land on an offshore oil rig 180km off Kerry to refuel.

While there the chopper experienced a technical issue and was grounded for safety reasons while an engineer was sent to the oil rig on board Waterford's Rescue 117.

However, in the meantime a second doctor on board the MS Marina determined that the patient - who was feared to have had a stroke - was in a stable enough condition to be transferred to hospital upon the ship's arrival in Cobh early today.

The Irish Examiner confirms that the casualty was a 79-year-old American.

#TitBonhomme - The "extraordinary" lack of information solicited by the operator who took the first of two emergency calls from the sinking Tit Bonhomme has been taken to task at the inquest into the loss of the trawler's crew.

The Irish Times reports that it only emerged last week that two emergency calls were made from the vessel by its youngest crew member Kevin Kershaw, though the Irish Coast Guard and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) were previously aware of only one.

The first - and previously unreported - 999 call from Kershaw's mobile phone at 5.46am was transferred to Bandon Garda Station rather than to the coastguard. Barrister Elizabeth O'Connel, representing the widow of skipper Michael Hayes, described the dearth of details taken by the operator on that call as "extraordinary".

It was only on the second call placed three minutes later that the Irish Guard was notified of the incident by 5.53am.

The Department of Communications has since announced it will conduct a review of the 999 service provided by the Emergency Call Answering Service (Ecas), operated by BT Ireland from Ballyshannon, Navan and Dublin.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, five fishermen lost their lives when the trawler Tit Bonhomme went down after striking rocks at the mouth of Glandore Harbour.

The only survivor, Abdelbaky Mohamed, gave testimony to the inquest two weeks ago of his last moments aboard the stricken vessel.

#Coastguard - The Irish Coast Guard has issued advice to the public for the June bank holiday weekend regarding safety on the water and when enjoying leisure activities on cliff paths and walks.

Bright and dry weather with sunny spells is forecast over the weekend with highest temperatures of 13-18 degrees. The current spell of good weather is forecasted to last over the weekend when traditionally many people take to the water and enjoy outdoor bank holiday activities.

Irish Coast Guard manager Declan Geoghegan said: “Warmer weather encourages everyone to enjoy the outdoors but we are appealing to the public to be aware of safety when on the water, enjoying our coastline and walking on cliffs and other areas.

"This summer, we began our 2013 safety awareness campaign in May and our campaign this year is aimed at holidaymakers, those engaged in water sports, people enjoying cliff walks or engaging in coastal activities throughout Ireland. We are also targeting walkers and climbers.

“In the last week alone, we have had at least three incidents with swimmers getting into difficulty around the country. Unfortunately one person lost their life.”

Throughout the summer (as at other times of the year), coastguard units throughout the Ireland will patrol our rivers, lakes, waterways and coastlines issuing safety advice and information to holidaymakers and tourists.

The following are general safety tips and advice from the Irish Coast Guard to help enjoy the water and coastal activities in your area this weekend and this bank holiday weekend and throughout the summer:

Swimming

Only swim at beaches and waterways that have lifeguards on duty and pay attention to the safety flags. Ask the lifeguard for advice about safety and water conditions and adhere to their instructions. Avoid using inflatable toys such as lilos and rubber rings on the water.

Cliff Walking

There is safety in numbers, so never be alone if possible. Let somebody know when and where you are going and what time you will be back. Stay well away from the cliff edge, both top and bottom. Don’t attempt to rescue people or pets if they fall over the edge. If assistance is required dial 999/112 and ask for the coastguard.

Watersports & Coastal Activities

Before going to sea check local weather conditions and tides in the area. Wear correctly maintained and fitting lifejackets that are suitable for the activity. Lifejackets are of no use unless they are worn. Ensure your craft is fit for purpose. Always advise someone as to where you are going and the time of your intended return. Do not overload the craft. If you are in difficulty or see someone in difficulty and requiring assistance dial 999/112 and ask for the coastguard.

For specific advice and information on any water and coastal activity visit www.safetyonthewater.ie.

#rnli – The Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat was tasked to Mullaghmore, County Sligo yesterday to assist in the search for two divers feared to have gone missing from a dive.

Launching within 4 minutes of being tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard, the volunteer crew of the Bundoran RNLI lifeboat made their way to Mullaghmore to assist the Rescue 118 helicopter and the dive boat which had been unable to make contact with the two divers.

An initial call had been made to the Coast Guard by passers-by who had seen the two divers in trouble.

As the lifeboat approached the scene they were stood down as the divers had been located by their dive boat, outside of the initial dive area, due to severe currents in the area.

Head Helm for Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Brian Gillespie said 'we are happy that this was a positive outcome – had it not been for the quick thinking of the member of the public who called the Coast Guard, it may have been a different story. We would always advise anyone who thinks they see someone in trouble on the coast, even if they are unsure, to call 999 and ask for the Coast Guard. We would much rather be called out to make sure everything is ok than have a possible incident go unreported'.

At 12.55pm today Milford Haven Coastguard received a mayday call from the passenger vessel Lady Helen, with 48 people on board reporting that they had run aground near Skomer Island and were taking in water.

Milford Haven Coastguard contacted other vessels in the area by radio and requested Angle and St Davids RNLI lifeboats to attend and the rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor. The passengers were evacuated to other vessels and have been transferred to shore safely where they were met by Broadhaven and Dale Coastguard Rescue Teams. There were no injuries to passengers or crew.

The casualty vessel Lady Helen was re-floated and pumps have been put aboard to control the ingress of water.  The vessel has gone undertow to Martins Haven.