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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
File image of Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launching for an early morning callout
Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew rescued a family of three from their stricken yacht this morning (Friday 22 July) as it drifted towards rocks near Black Head in Youghal Bay. The couple with their teenage son radioed for help after…
File image of Baltimore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat leaving the station
Less than 24 hours after their role in the dramatic rescue of French yachtsman Loic Escoffier, Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation on Wednesday afternoon (20 July) from Cape Clear Island in West Cork in what…
Over nearly 150 years as a lifeboat station, the crews at Ballycotton RNLI have been presented with 19 awards for gallantry
A 36ft yacht with two people onboard that had suffered engine failure south of Roche’s Point yesterday (Wednesday, 20 July), was brought to safety by lifeboat crew from Ballycotton RNLI. Ballycotton RNLI was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard…
File image of Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Portaferry RNLI launched for the third time in two days on Wednesday evening (20 July) to retrieve a kayak that had drifted off Slanes Bay on Northern Ireland’s Arts Peninsula. A member of the public raised the alarm shortly before…
Valentia Coastguard - Coordination of rescue services for the region was handled by centres in Donegal and Dublin for a time on Sunday night
Valentia Coast Guard Station is reported to have been offline for up to 12 hours on Sunday night last due to staffing issues. The Department of Transport says the responsibilities at the time were shared between Malin Head and Dublin…
Baltimore RNLI all-weather lifeboat rescue the solo sailor from his capsized catamaran
Baltimore RNLI were called out to assist a lone sailor whose yacht had capsized 70 miles off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork, yesterday evening (Tuesday 19 July). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 5.50 pm, following…
Youghal RNLI tows a small vessel with engine failure into Youghal Harbour
Youghal RNLI in East Cork responded to two callouts in less that two hours on Tuesday (19 July), coming to the aid of six people. The volunteer lifeboat crew were first requested to launch at 4.37pm to aid a family…
Lough Ree RNLI heading out in calm waters on Monday morning 18 July
Just after 8am on Monday morning (18 July), Lough Ree RNLI was requested to go to the aid of four people on board a stranded cruiser near Clawinch Island. It brought to 19 the total number of people assisted across…
Helvick Head RNLI lifeboat
Helvick Head RNLI went to assist two children today (Tuesday 19 July) at Clonea Beach after they were swept out to sea on an inflatable. With Force 2-3 north westerly winds and calm seas, the volunteer crew launched their inshore…
Kilmore Quay RNLI all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney assisted a four metre RIB with three onboard
Kilmore Quay RNLI launched at 9 pm last night (Monday 18 July) to assist three young people on board a four-metre RIB that had suffered engine failure approximately one mile south of the Great Saltee Island. The volunteer crew were…
Galway RNLI lifeboat
Galway RNLI rescued six people who got into difficulty in the sea off Rabbit Island on Monday evening (18 July). The group who had walked over to the island at low tide became stranded by the incoming tide and were attempting…
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys opening the Clare Water Safety rescue centre in Lahinch on Monday 18 July
A €6m revamp of Lahinch Leisure Centre in Co Clare, which includes a dedicated water safety centre, has been officially unveiled today (Monday 18 July) by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. The newly redesigned family-friendly, state-of-the-art facility features a…
Howth RNLI lifeboat station
The volunteer lifeboat crew of Howth RNLI launched both their inshore and all-weather lifeboats to three separate incidents today (Monday 18 July), the hottest day on record in Dublin. The inshore lifeboat was launched at 2.20pm to reports of a…
Picture shows, left to right: RNLI Dun Laoghaire's Hazel Rea, Moselle Hogan and Laura Jackson (Helm)
An all-female lifeboat crew from Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued four teenagers yesterday evening (Sunday 17 July) after they were overcome by the outgoing tide and found clinging to The Wooden Bridge at Dollymount. The volunteer crew were alerted shortly after…
The Red Bay lifeboat crew located the vessel, which was taking on water and took all nine people onboard the lifeboat
Five adults and four children have been rescued by lifeboat crew from Red Bay RNLI after their vessel hit a submerged object this afternoon (Sunday, 17 July) and started taking on water, near Fair Head near Ballycastle. Lifeboat crew from…
Lifeboat volunteers with Courtmacsherry RNLI in West Cork
This past week has been a very busy period at Courtmacsherry RNLI in West Cork with three callouts in five days. The all-weather lifeboat was requested at 10.45pm on Tuesday night (12 July) to launch in search of a person…

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.