Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
South Down Coastguard Awarded Volunteer of the Year
British Coastguard Chief Executive Sir Alan Massey congratulated Coastguard Volunteer of the year John Lowry from the South Down Coastguard Rescue Team in Northern Ireland for the following reasons. In an incident on 1st June 2010 involving the South Down…
Notice of Seismic Survey Off South Coast
The latest Marine Notice from the DTTAS advises all seafarers off the south coast in the North Celtic Sea to give a wide berth to vessels conducting a 3D seismic survey next month. The M/V Polarcus Samus (callsign C6XK8) will…
Portrush Raft Race Sets Sail this Weekend
The RNLI's 30th Portrush Raft Race takes place this weekend promises to deliver the usual fun frolics and madness around the Harbour from 11am on Saturday 28th May right through to Sunday 29th! The weekend kicks off with the Junior…
Missing Surfers Found in Cave
Coastguard and Lifeboat services were pressed in to action early this morning to search for missing surfers on the North Coast. At 02.20 am MRCC Belfast received a call from Police Service Northern Ireland reporting that they had received a…
McGibney to Become Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Coxwain
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat is set to appoint Mark McGibney as Coxwain with effect from 1 June. Eamon O'Leary will become second Coxwain from the same date. A well-known Dublin Bay and racing sailor, McGibney is the sailing manager of the…
Donation for Bangor Lifeboat Crew
RNLI Bangor's volunteer lifeboat search and rescue crew were pleased to receive a donation of £500 from the Bangor Marina Berth Holders Association this week. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/lifeboats/ http://www.afloat.ie/safety/rescue/ Association chairman Martin Wilson said: "Every year our members raise funds for various…
Firm Offers Security for Wexford Lifebuoys
A security firm based in Wexford town has offered electronic protection and 24-hour monitoring to Wexford County Council in a bid to secure funding for lifebuoys on Wexford Bridge. According to the Wexford People, the move comes after a spate…
Family Considers Legal Action Over Kayak Trip Victim
The Irish Independent reports that the family of a man who drowned with a friend on a kayaking trip are considering legal action over the lack of warning signs at the weir where they lost their lives. Accident investigators have…
Wicklow Lifeboat Launches for Fishing Vessel
Wicklow RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched just before 0820am this morning after it was reported that a fishing vessel was in need of assistance, approximately a half mile South of Wicklow Head.The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick…
UK Holidaymakers (in Turkey) Rescued with Help from British Coastguard
Liverpool Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public earlier today reporting that his friend had called him to say that her vessel had lost engine power and was drifting near Kalkan, off the coast of Turkey.…
Two Dramatic Rescues in the River Slaney for Wexford RNLI within Two Hours
Volunteer lifeboat crew with Wexford RNLI had to deal with two dramatic callouts on the river Slaney within the space of two hours yesterday (Sunday 8th May).  Twenty rowers taking part in a triathlon were brought to safety as waves…
UK Coastguard Reforms Branded 'Shambles'
Britain's shadow transport secretary has branded a "shambles" plans to reform the UK coastguard service that could see the closure of Northern Ireland's only dedicated search and rescue base. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Labour's Maria Eagle questioned Secretary of…
Boy Drowns in Liffey, Diver Treated for Bends
Gardaí have confirmed that a 14-year-old boy drowned in the River Liffey near Clane, Co Kildare on Saturday. According to The Irish Times, it is believed the accident occurred while the teen was playing in the river with friends. His…
Stranded Walker Rescued by RNLI's New Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat
A man walking on Sandymount beach on Dublin Bay yesterday evening had a lucky escape when he became cut-off by the incoming tide and was rescued by the new RNLI inshore lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire. The incident occurred shortly after…
False Alarm for Kitesurfer 'Pulled Out to Sea'
A number of local Search and Rescue Units were involved in the search for a Kite Surfer who was seen being pulled out to sea approximately 3 miles off Balaggan Point, Co Louth yesterday, according to SAR Ireland. Full CH…
Baltimore Lifeboat Rescues Man Overboard
The rapid response of the RNLI Baltimore inshore lifeboat averted catastrophe at sea today, when a young fishermen fell overboard 11 miles south of Baltimore harbour. Valentia Coast Guard alerted the Baltimore lifeboat station at 12:43pm and both the inshore…

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.