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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
March 2024 Sailor of the Month Rose Michael accepting yet another significant cheque on behalf of the lifeboats, this time from Cormac Lowth representing the annual “All In A Row” multi-boat event on Dublin’s River Liffey
In the third weekend of March, two nautical gatherings in the Cork area were painlessly relieved of around €5,000 for Irish lifeboats, with much of the background work to ensure that this went through smoothly being seen to by longtime…
Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier en route to the stranded cruiser on Saturday 30 March
Lough Derg RNLI were requested to launch on Saturday (30 March) to assist a lone sailor on a 35ft cruiser with fouled propellers and adrift in Dromineer Bay. Following the request from Valentia Coast Guard, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier…
The Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat's Y-boat with two crew aboard was launched to cut off the rope from the propellor of the stranded fishing vessel
In an Easter sea rescue operation, the Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat 'Annette Hutton' was launched to assist a local fishing vessel that had lost its ability to manoeuvre on the north side of Sheep's Head. The lifeboat received an alert at…
Galway RNLI lifeboat operations manager Mike Swan
How a wise kayaker rescued by east Cork’s Ballycotton lifeboat signed up as a volunteer and Galway city’s cross-agency rapid rescue system are among topics on RTÉ Radio 1’s special Seascapes series tonight. The final episode of the three-part series…
Guests at Larne RNLI’s gala ball at Magheramorne Estate on Friday 15 March
Larne RNLI in Northern Ireland celebrated the RNLI’s 200th anniversary with a gala ball held at Magheramorne Estate raising £4,657.63 to help the station continue to save lives at sea. The event, organised by the volunteer fundraising crew, was held…
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers turns the sod on a new Coast Guard station for Westport in South Mayo
Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers has paid tribute to the “dedication, commitment and passion” of members of the Irish Coast Guard. Speaking at the sod turning for the €6.8 million new Coast Guard station in Westport, Co Mayo,…
Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboat in operation
As the Easter weekend approaches, the Coast Guard, RNLI, and Water Safety Ireland are urging the public to take precautions to stay safe during water activities. With longer and brighter evenings, more people are expected to visit the coast or…
The 12.85 metre Sun Odyssey 42i on the rocks off the West Cork coast
The hazards of lost or discarded fishing gear has been highlighted in a Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the loss of a yacht off Baltimore, Co Cork, last June. All five on board were rescued, after their yacht,…
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers will turn the sod on a new Coast Guard station for Westport in south Mayo on Thursday (March 27). Members of the Coast Guard will join the junior…
File image of Achill Island RNLI’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat
Achill Island RNLI carried out a medical evacuation off Clare Island on Monday night (25 March). The volunteer crew were requested to launch the station’s all-weather lifeboat just before 9pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to medevac…
Alan Markey, Commodore of the Irish Cruising Club, presents the donation to Rose Michael, ICC Member and RNLI Fundraising Crew, on the steps of the Maryborough Hotel, Cork
Saturday night's gathering of 242 cruising enthusiasts for a black-tie celebration at the Irish Cruising Club's Annual Gala Dinner in Cork, involving an international guest list to bring in officers from kindred clubs on both sides of the Atlantic, provided…
RNLI lifeguards on a beach
The RNLI lifeguard team are returning to patrol seven beaches along the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland over the upcoming Easter period. The lifeguard service is also adjusting its operational hours this season from 10am to 6pm each day. From…
A group shot of RNLI volunteer crew members, shot in Lyme Regis for Series 9 of the BBC/Blast programme Saving Lives at Sea ( SLAS). From Left to right: Neil Sutor (Portishead), Janet Iqbal (Largs), Angharad Masson (Porthcawl), Maria Bull (Dungeness), Dave Fenton (Castletownbere)
As the RNLI marks 200 years of lifesaving, the volunteer lifeboat crew at Castletownbere, West Cork will take to the television screens on Tuesday, 2 April, at 8 p.m. They will feature in the ninth series of the popular maritime…
File image of Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer
Following an emergency call from a member of the public on shore on Sunday morning (24 March), Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to assist a family of four on a 34ft cruiser…
Carrybridge RNLI to feature in popular documentary series as Saving Lives at Sea returns to the screen
The RNLI, renowned for its 200 years of lifesaving, is set to feature on the popular maritimeTV show Saving Lives at Sea on BBC Two and iPlayer. The ninth series, which focuses on the lifesaving work of today's lifeboat crews…
Dressed in dry suits and PPE, the Loughs Agency staff participants received a thorough briefing from NIFRS instructors on navigating fast-flowing currents
Loughs Agency staff traded their water testing kits for wetsuits and rescue lines after undergoing vital swift water training with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS). The collaboration stemmed from NIFRS seeking information about potential training exercises on…

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.