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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Two Investigations Underway into Weekend Boating Accident
Gardai launched a full investigation into the weekend boating tragedy where two men died in Inishboffin harbour.The men were identified locally as former Mayo footballer, Ger Feeney, and businessman, Donal McEllin, both from Castlebar. It is understood the pair left the…
Two Men Die in Inishbofin Boating Accident
Two men died in a boating accident off the coast of Inishbofin in Co. Galway early this morning. The pair, aged in their late 50's and early 60's had arrived on the island yesterday on a 40ft motor cruiser and…
Five Incidents in Four Days for Cork Harbour Lifeboat
Crosshaven Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat has had a very busy few days as they were tasked to five incidents in four days. On Thursday evening at 17.59, the Lifeboat was tasked to the upper reaches of Cork Harbour near the city to…
Concern for RIB on Passage from Rathlin to Bangor
Belfast Coastguard spent two hours this evening trying to locate a missing RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) after it was reported leaving Rathlin in very poor weather conditions with four people on board, HM Coastguard report. Concern for the occupants of…
Lifeboat Launches for Swimmer in Difficulty on Dublin Bay
A swimmer in difficulty was brought to safety at lunchtime today by the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire when a large swell caused problems at the popular 40-foot bathing-place at Sandycove, Co. Dublin. The incident occurred when the female swimmer was…
Drifting Yacht Starts Shannon Search And Rescue Operation
A Shannon Estuary search and rescue operation was mounted early yesterday (Wednesday) after a yacht was reported adrift and at risk of entering a busy shipping and ferry lane. The alarm was raised shortly after 8.30am after a member of…
 Dun Laoghaire Yacht Theft - Watch Out, Thieves About!
The boating community has been alerted to a recent theft from a boat at Dun Laoghaire marina. Boaters have been asked to keep an eye out for 'suspicious characters purveying marine equipment. It is understood a 54ft yacht was broken into…
Two Men Rescued from Welsh Cliffs
Two men, who became stranded on an Irish sea beach at the bottom of cliffs due to heavy sea conditions, have been recovered by Welsh coastguard rescue officers. Milford Haven Coastguard received a 999 call at 7.15 pm this evening…
Helicopter Rescues Man Who Fell off Howth Head
A man who was critically injured when he fell 100ft off a cliff in Howth has been rescued by the Coastguard helicopter. At 17.30 this evening Howth Coast Guard were requested by Gardai to assist with the search for a…
Galway Lifeboat Rescues Person Stranded near Hare Island
Galway RNLI lifeboat went to the rescue of a person reported to be stranded in rising waters between Hare Island and Ballyloughane Beach, Renmore on Wednesday afternoon (29 September). A member of the public rang the Irish Coastguard to report…
Howth Lifeboat Rescues Drowning Woman
The crew of Howth RNLI rescued a woman from drowning off the coast of Portrane this week (Monday). The Lifeboat crew had been out on exercise when they spotted the 31 year old female struggling above the waves. She had…
Fenit Name New Lifeboat in Memory of Bangor Couple
A brand new RNLI inshore lifeboat was officially named 'Bradley and Sonya' during a moving ceremony on Saturday 25th September at Fenit which is located on north side of Tralee Bay on the far south west coast of Ireland. The…
New Tamar-Class Lifeboat: A First for RNLI in Ireland
Next month sees the introduction of the first RNLI Tamar-class lifeboat to enter service at an Irish lifeboat station, writes Jehan Ashmore. Costing €3m, the RNLB Killarney is to be stationed in Kilmore Quay. The new vessel is expected to…
Enniskillen and Baltimore Busiest Irish Lifeboats, Launching Five Times a Day in Summer
Preliminary figures* for summer 2010, issued today (22 September) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), show the charity's Irish lifeboats launched on average five times every day during June, July and August. RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch 450…
Crew Man Fell Overboard from 'Alma Amy' and Died-Report
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published its Report of Investigation into the Loss of a Crewmember Overboard from the MFV "Alma Amy" on 17th October 2007. The report found that on Wednesday 17th October 2007 Mr. Marijus Rudakov…
Fenit RNLI to name new D Class Lifeboat after Bangor Couple
A special naming and dedication ceremony will be held this Saturday (25 September 2010) at 3.00pm when volunteer lifeboat crew and supporters with Fenit RNLI lifeboat station in Kerry will gather to name their new IB1 lifeboat Bradley and Sonya. …

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.