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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
A man has been pronounced deceased at Lancaster Hospital after being rescued from the River Lune in Lancaster this afternoon. At 2.12 pm a member of the public called Liverpool Coastguard to report that they could see a man in…
Two lifeboats proceeded to the Stena Pioneer this afternoon after crew on the ferry issued a mayday call reporting a fire in their engine room whilst they were on passage to Fleetwood on the Irish Sea.  A helicopter was also…
Following a call from a fishing vessel, Fenit RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 2pm this afternoon to go to the aid of a fishing vessel which was oyster fishing in Tralee Bay and in difficulty due to very thick fog.…
Warning Issued as Logs Fall from Vessel off South East Coast
The Irish Coast Guard are currently investigating the loss of logs from a cargo vessel off the south eastern coast. The incident occurred early this morning. The Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter has already investigated and some of the cargo has…
Crosshaven Lifeboat Rescues Crew from Sinking Fishing Vessel
Following our weekend report on the major rescue operation swung into operation on Saturday Morning ( 13 Nov) outside Cork Harbour when a 27' fishing boat sank in minutes with two people on board there has been further details issue by…
Lifeboat Assists Sinking Fishing Vessel in Cork Harbour
Yesterday while out on exercise in a squally southwesterly force four winds the crew of the Ballycotton lifeboat Austin Lidbury received details of a 26 foot fishing vessel that had sunk off Roches Point, at the mouth of Cork Harbour.…
Red Bay Lifeboat Crew Provide First Aid to Collapsed Man at Fair Head
Lifeboat crew with Red Bay RNLI put their first aid training into practice this afternoon when a man collapsed while out walking in Boulder Field at Fair Head in County Antrim.  The two lifeboat crew had to scale 150 feet…
Coast Guard Urges Public Not to Go Out on Exposed Piers
The Irish Coast Guard service today issued an important warning to the public about high winds, gales and flooded areas. This warning comes following a weather warning and a strong gale warning issued by Met Eireann today. Southwest winds veering…
Stay Away from the Edge Warns Irish Water Safety
Irish Water Safety is asking people to keep away from the water's edge during the current violent storm force winds and high seas. Ireland averages 153 drownings every year and every year a number of tragedies occur as a result…
Ballycotton Lifeboat Launches for Pleasure Craft in Choppy Seas
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat was launched at 12:10 today for a pleasure craft in the Ballycotton Bay area of East Cork. No contact had been made with the lone sailor for over an hour and his concerned family contacted the Coast…
Bangor Helmsmen Awarded Medals for Twenty Years Service
Recently two well known and respected volunteer Bangor Lifeboat helmsmen were awarded medals in recognition for their many years of devoted service to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Ewan Scott and Tommy Burns have been awarded Long Service medals at…
Family Say 'Thank You' to Portrush Lifeboat for Saving Son
A grateful family presented a cheque to Portrush lifeboat crew in thanks for saving their son this summer.On 16th May 2010 both Portrush Lifeboats were launched to two separate incidents within one at 0922 hours and one at 0924 hours.Within…
Coastal Areas Braced for Flood Risk Tonight
A combination of high tides, high winds and low pressure increase the possibility of coastal flooding, particularly at high tide around midnight on Sunday 7 November and midday on Monday 8 November. A deep low pressure centre is expected to…
Flooding Risk - Know How to Stay Safe
Irish Water Safety has today warned about the increased risk to the public in our current and forecast flood conditions. During this coming Sunday afternoon and evening it will become very windy with widespread heavy rain and very strong West…
Woman Airlifted to Cliff Top
Earlier this afternoon Milford Haven Coastguard were alerted by local Police to an unfolding incident at Lydstep beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales involving a woman and two children. The woman who is not local to the area was walking with her…
RNLI Hovercraft in Rescue of Girl
At 5.30 pm last night Liverpool Coastguard were alerted to a local 15 year old girl in difficulty by the Leasowe Lighthouse on Moreton Common, Wirral, on Merseyside on the far side of the Irish Sea . She was completely…

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.