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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Climbers Rescued From Glendalough After Falling In Water
#Rescue - TheJournal.ie reports that two climbers were rescued after falling into the water at the Upper Lake of Glendalough in Co Wicklow yesterday (Monday 25 November). The two men had managed to get themselves out of the water near…
Search Resumes For Lobsterman Missing Off Wexford Coast
#RNLI - The search for a lobster fisherman missing off the Wexford coast was set to resume this morning after it was suspended at sunset last night. RNLI lifeboats from Kilmore Quay, Rosslare and Fethard launched yesterday afternoon (Monday 25…
'Safety Sunday' With Lifeboat Launches In Wicklow And Skerries
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI went to the assistance of three fishermen whose 36ft fishing boat suffered engine failure near Wicklow Head yesterday afternoon (Sunday 24 November). The alarm was raised after the crew were unable to start the engine and…
Radio Beacon Maker Learned Of Faults After Device Failure In Fishing Tragedy
#Safety - The factor of a malfunctioning radio beacon in the deaths of three fishermen in Tramore Bay this summer prompted the recent Marine Notice urging tests of such devices. According to RTÉ News, the Australian manufacturer of the EPIRB…
Book Charting History Of Arklow RNLI Launches This Friday
#RNLI - Olympic gold medallist and son of Arklow, Ronnie Delaney, will be on hand this Friday 22 November for the official launch of a new book that charts the history of the Wexford town's lifeboat station. As previously reported…
Irish Coast Guard Helicopters Trialled As Air Ambulances
#Coastguard - The Irish Coast Guard's rescue helicopter fleet is being utilised on a trial basis as an air ambulance service, as RTÉ's Morning Ireland reports. The new fleet of Sikorsky S92 choppers will do double duty as a Helicopter…
Courtown Lifeboat Assists Stranded Angling Vessel
#RNLI - The Courtown RNLI lifeboat was launched yesterday afternoon (Sunday 17 November) to assist and tow a small 19ft angling boat. The angling boat had suffered engine failure and required a tow to Courtown Harbour. The lifeboat, with volunteer…
New Irish Built Search & Rescue Craft Capsize Tested with Designer Inside
The Cork Harbour based Safehaven Marine, specialist builders of pilot boats and rescue vessels have undertaken probably an industry first, by capsizing their latest Interceptor 48 Pilot / S.A.R. vessel in a live condition with two crew inside during the…
EPIRB Models Identified As Being At Risk of Failure – Marine Notice
Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and Seafarers The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised of potential GME EPIRB failures. The following GME EPIRB models, manufactured in the 2005-2010 period, have…
Light Aircraft Ditches in Lough Erne
#coastguard – At 4.30pm tonight the Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre was advised by Shannon Air Traffic Control that a light aircraft with two people on board was about to ditch in the Loch Erne area due to low oil pressure.…
MCIB Publish Fatal Powerboat Accident Report on Lough Derg
#powerboat accident – The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has released details of a fatal powerboat accident near Garrykennedy on Lough Derg from 2012.  On the morning of 2nd August 2012, Mr Patrick Danaher purchased fuel for his powerboat at…
MCIB Publish Collision Report Between MV Stena Europe & MV Oscar Wilde
A report into a collision at Rosslare Europort between the "MV Stena Europe & MV Oscar Wilde" has been published recently by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. On 26th October 2012 the passenger car ferry M/V "Stena Europe" was berthing…
Irish Water Safety's National Awards Honour 37 Rescuers
#watersafety – Thirty-seven rescuers from twenty-two dramatic near-death incidents will receive recognition at Irish Water Safety's National Awards Ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday 19th November 2014, from 3pm to 5pm. Thirty-six lives were saved from drowning through the brave…
US Marine Expert Disagrees With RYA Position on Distress Flares
#flares – US marine writer Joan Wenner saw Afloat.ie's story on the RYA's position on distress flares. Flares have outlived their usefulness in an age of modern water safety technology, says theRoyal Yachting Association - which is urging British authorities to drop the requirement for flares…
Clifden RNLI Names New Atlantic 85 Lifeboat
#RNLI - Clifden RNLI officially named its new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Joyce King, at its station in the Connemara coastal town of Clifden in a special ceremony yesterday (Saturday 9 November). John Coyle, chairman of the Irish council of the…
Howth RNLI Award Crew Members & Fundraisers at Annual Ceremony
#rnli – Volunteer lifeboat crewmembers and fundraisers were awarded certificates at the Howth RNLI's Supporter's Meeting last Wednesday in Howth Yacht Club (6 Nov). Fundraisers who took part or organised wide range of activities from barbeques to kayaking, cycle rides…

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.