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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Arklow, Howth Lifeboats Aid Stricken Sailing Vessels
#RNLI - Following a lifeboat pager alert at 1.18pm yesterday afternoon (Thursday 9 July), Arklow RNLI's volunteer crew launched to a stricken sailing vessel. Within minutes of the alert, the lifeboat Ger Tigchleaar was en route from Arklow Harbour in…
'Operation Safe Water' Brings Agencies Together To Promote Safety Awareness Among Water Users
#WaterSafety - Inter-agency efforts to promote safer enjoyment of the water were the order of the day at Operation Safe Water, which took place in Howth Harbour yesterday (Thursday 9 July). Members of An Garda Siochana, the Irish Coast Guard…
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Launches To Cruiser with Engine Failure
#lifeboat – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist a person on board a 30ft–cruiser with engine failure by Terryglass Harbour, at the northern end of Lough Derg last night. At 11.55pm Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist a…
RNLI Warns People to Respect the Water with Hard-Hitting Campaign
#RespectTheWater – The RNLI is today launching its national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, warning people that the coastlines and waters can be dangerously unpredictable. The campaign which will be run on radio, outdoor and online will also see two…
Caernarfon Search & Rescue Helicopter Service Launch Marked in Ceremony
#CaernarfonSAR – The launch of the Caernarfon civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Wednesday 8 July) in a ceremony held at the new SAR base at Caernarfon Airport in North Wales. Bristow Helicopters Ltd, is operating…
Skerries Lifeboat Volunteers Respond To Third Callout In A Week
#RNLI - Skerries RNLI volunteers launched for their third callout within seven days yesterday (Saturday 04 July) following reports of a kayaker in distress off Gormanston beach. The pagers sounded shortly after 11.30am this morning, with the lifeboat – launched…
RNLI Lifeguards Rescue Man On Castlerock Beach
#RNLI - RNLI lifeguards rescued a man who found himself in difficulty on Castlerock Beach in Co Derry yesterday afternoon (Friday 3 July). Shortly before 12.30pm, senior lifeguard Damian McCauley was assisting two vehicles that had got stuck in soft…
Wicklow Lifeboat Rescues Jetskier After Engine Cuts Out
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched at 2.25pm yesterday afternoon (Friday 3 July) to assist a jetskier north of the harbour. The jetskier had set off from Wicklow and was about a half mile offshore when the engine cut…
Belfast City Gets Dedicated RNLI Station For Tall Ships Weekend
#RNLI - The RNLI will have a fully operational lifeboat station in Belfast City from 9am tomorrow 2 July right through to Sunday evening 5 July for the Tall Ships Races. With up to 750,000 visitors expected in Belfast over…
Skerries Lifeboat Brings Four To Safety After Yacht Holed By Rocks
#RNLI - Skerries RNLI brought four people to safety on Sunday afternoon (28 June) after their racing yacht began taking on water after striking rocks near one of the islands off Skerries. Volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis…
Beware of High Tides Caused By the Full Moon
#fullmoon – The warm weather has brought many people out to enjoy the seaside and coastal walks, however the CEO of Irish Water Safety, John Leech is warning the public that there is a full moon tomorrow 2nd of July…
Howth RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Kayakers in Difficulties
#rnli – Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 4.40pm Monday 29th June to reports of four men in two kayaks in difficulties one mile north of Howth harbour with one of the men in need of medical assistance. The pagers…
RNLI Honours Contribution of Irish Volunteers at the Annual Presentation of Awards in Dublin
#rnli – The RNLI held its Annual Presentation of Awards at the Guinness Storehouse on Saturday where the charity presented 55 awards to volunteers, groups and businesses from across the country that have made a significant contribution to the RNLI…
Ireland's Second Busiest Coastal Lifeboat Station Still Lacks Dedicated Pontoon
#RNLI - Ireland's second busiest coastal lifeboat station is still without a pontoon for the safe boarding and alighting of crew and casualties, as the Sunday Independent reports. Dun Laoghaire RNLI still uses a motor tender to transfer between the…
Union Hall Lifeboat Rescues Five From French Yacht
#RNLI - Union Hall RNLI rescued five men after their yacht was in danger of hitting rocks off the coast of West Cork on Friday evening (26 June). The volunteer lifeboat crew was alerted shortly after 5pm following a report…
Marine Notice: Wave Measuring Device At Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre
#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that a wave measuring device has been installed on the seabed at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre. The wave study is being carried out by…

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.