Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Castletownbere RNLI Tows West Cork Yacht in Difficulty Near the Fastnet Rock
13th July 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat was launched early this morning to assist a 32-foot West Cork-based yacht, with four persons onboard, which had lost its ability to manoeuvre three miles south of the Fastnet Rock. The lifeboat received an alert at 06:15…
Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches to Assist Cruiser Adrift With Engine Failure
12th July 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Lough Derg RNLI launched to the aid of seven on a 20ft cruiser that had suffered engine failure and was drifting towards rocks west of Garrykennedy Harbour on Thursday evening (11 July). At 4.45pm, Lough Derg’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier…
Wicklow all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea was launched just before noon today (Wednesday 10 July) following a Coast Guard pager alert, to reports of an EPIRB (emergency distress beacon) activation in the Wicklow area. The lifeboat under the command of…
Sean Walsh, a volunteer crew member at Union Hall RNLI in West Cork, has this week passed out as a helm for the station. The helm is responsible for the Union Hall inshore lifeboat during launching, at sea and through…
Youghal RNLI responded to a distress call from local lifeguards on Wednesday, July 10, at 5:16 pm, regarding three paddleboarders in difficulty approximately 500m off Youghal front strand beach. The weather conditions were described as choppy with a strong north-westerly…
Clifden RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew in western Connemara were tasked just after 11am on Sunday morning (7 July) by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a casualty on the island of Inishbofin. The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat St Christopher was…
Bundoran RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were called on Sunday afternoon (7 July) to aid a RIB in difficulty after suffering engine failure near Mullaghmore in Co Sligo. The 5.5-metre craft, with one person on board, was in danger of drifting close…
First of Six AW 189 Helicopters for New Irish Coast Guard Delivered to Bristow
8th July 2024 Coastguard
The first of six AW189 helicopters destined for search and rescue on the new Irish Coast Guard contract has flown off the Italian production line. Bristow Ireland says the new helicopter is now in its maintenance hangars, where “expert Bristow…
Aran Islands RNLI carried out a medical evacuation on Saturday after a cyclist fell. The volunteer crew had assembled at the lifeboat station for a routine training exercise at 12 noon on Saturday (6 July) when a cyclist fell off…
Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboatman on his 200th 'Shout' Assists Disabled Motor Boat in Cork Harbour
8th July 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Helm Aidan O'Connor has reached a similar milestone in this year's 200th anniversary of the RNLI. Not 200 years, but his 200th 'shout' on the Crosshaven Lifeboat. He is the first to attain that particular honour at the Cork Harbour station.…
Kilmore Quay RNLI Assist Two People Aboard Yacht with Engine Failure off Saltee Islands
8th July 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Kilmore Quay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched Saturday afternoon (July 6) to assist two people aboard a 32-foot yacht with engine failure close to the Saltee Islands. The Coast Guard requested that the all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, launch at 2.37…
RTÉ News reports that two people were rescued from a passenger boat that got into difficulty near the Skelligs on Sunday morning (7 July). It’s understood that the two were crew on the vessel that subsequently sank a few miles…
Two days after Kinsale RNLI launched to the aid of two sailors after their 34ft yacht lost steering, the West Cork lifeboat rescued a lone sailor who was drifting off the Old Head of Kinsale on Monday (1 July). The volunteer…
The body of a man has been recovered off the north shore at Cloonamore, Inishbofin in Co Galway. Malin Head Coast Guard was notified by radio at about 10.15 pm last night that a fisherman was overdue and presumed missing…
Failure To Wear Lifejackets When Launching Angling Boat Off Mayo Highlighted in MCIB Report
3rd July 2024 MCIB
Failure to wear lifejackets was one of five factors which contributed to an incident where a sea angler died off Lacken pier, Co Mayo, last year. The report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) notes that neither the boat…
Marine Casualty Investigation Board Urges Mandatory Safety Training for Recreational Boaters
3rd July 2024 MCIB
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has raised the question of whether recreational craft users should be required to have basic safety training, similar to driving test assessments. It has again commented on what it describes as "the repeated incidence of…
