#WaterSafety - Irish Water Safety has described cheap inflatable boats and rafts as "floating killers", as The Irish Times reports.
Water safety chiefs have urged the public to avoid using such inflatables on open water following last month's rescue of three children who drifted more than 30km out to sea from Cloughey Bay in Co Down.
Previously, two children were rescued at Ballybunion in Co Kerry after drifting out to sea on an inflatable toy.
Other incidents include a man carried out by the current on a rubber ring from White Rocks beach at Portrush, Co Antrim and three men who set out from Tramore, Co Waterford on a makeshift raft with no lifejackets or other safety gear.
The news comes just days after Irish Water Safety announced its lifeguards had rescued some 559 swimmers on Irish beaches during the recent heatwave.
The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.
