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Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Small Craft Warning In Effect As Ireland Braces for Stormy Conditions
#MARINE WARNING - A small craft weather warning is in effect today as strong easterly winds bring heavy rains sweeping across Ireland. Met Éireann reports that strong gales between force 5 and 6 are developing this morning on all coasts…
Irish Lifeboat men on Jubilee Duty
#RNLI – A Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain and a Kilmore Quay Mechanic were involved in Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant at the weekend. Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara from County Down and Kilmore Quay Mechanic Brian Kehoe from County Wexford were aboard…
Children Rescued From Rising Tide in Galway Bay
#LIFEBOATS - Four children were rescued from a rising tide on Sunday in what was a busy June bank holiday weekend for Ireland's RNLI lifeboats. The Irish Times reports that a 10-year-old and three teenagers were with their father on…
Ballycotton Lifeboat Goes to Rescue of Vessel Taking on Water
#RNLI– Ballycotton ifeboat, launched at 12:40 today in response to a call for help from a boat 23 miles south east of Ballycotton. The vessel with four persons on board reported that it was taking water and requested use of…
Two Racing Yachts Brought to Safety By Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat
#YACHTRESCUE–Two yachts in difficulty were brought to safety by the RNLI lifeboat stationed at Dun Laoghaire earlier today as gale force winds and driving rain lashed the east coast of Ireland. The incidents occurred at 8am today as the boats…
Missing Divers Rescued off Copeland Islands, Belfast Lough
#RESCUE – A successful search was undertaken this afternoon for two missing divers off the Copeland Islands at the entrance to Belfast Lough. Belfast Coastguard received a VHF radio call on channel 16 at 12:20 pm this afternoon from the…
Monday's Full Moon Poses Hazard to Beach Goers
#FULLMOON – Hazards that result in drowning are often the last thought in the minds of people relaxing over a Bank Holiday weekend however Irish Water Safety is anxious that the public avoid situations that can quickly turn to tragedy…
Wind Farm Rock Berms Pose a Hazard for Boaters Says RYA
#MARINE WARNING - As wind farm projects expand around the coasts of the UK and Ireland, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has raised concerns about an unexpected hazard for boaters navigating near such installations. Taking the London Array and Kentish…
Runaway Speedboat Halted by Baltimore Lifeboat Crew in Dramatic Scenes
#RESCUE - Brave volunteers from the Baltimore RNLI saved the day when they jumped aboard a runaway speedboat heading for a busy pier last Friday. As the Irish Examiner reports, it was one of four dramatic rescues made by the…
Liverpool Coastguard Campaign Launches E-Petition to Save Station
#COASTGUARD - Campaigners for the Liverpool coastguard are urging the public to sign an e-petition to stop the closure of the city's search and rescue base. According to BBC News, the Liverpool station at Crosby is one of eight centres…
'Put Safety Before Complacency When You Go Boating' Warns Safety Body
#SAFETY– Warmer weather has turned many waterways into a playground for aquatic sports and boating activities. 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…
RNLI Salutes 45 Volunteers at Awards Ceremony
#RNLI – The annual RNLI Ireland awards took place at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, with volunteers and supporters being recognised for their role in raising funds and awareness for the charity that saves lives at sea. Guest of…
Missing Divers Rescued by Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat
#RESCUE - Two divers reported missing in Dublin Bay this morning have been rescued by the RNLI lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire. The pair had been with a group diving off the Muglins Rock, close to Dalkey Island, but did not…
Waterford Airport Coastguard Celebrates Ten Years
#COASTGUARD - The Irish Coast Guard marked the 10th anniversary of search and rescue (SAR) operations at Waterford Airport recently. As Waterford News reports, Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds spoke at the special event on 10 May, commending the…
Lifeboat Launches For Missing Person on Lough Derg
#RNLI – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was launched to investigate a possible missing person/s after a lakeboat was found adrift towards the northern end of the lake this afternoon.  On the return journey, the lifeboat was diverted to Scarriff Bay…
Marine Pumps Used in Rescue of Lough Derg Vessel
#RNLI – Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat rescued two people on board a sinking 40ft vessel holed after it hit rocks yesterday. At 16.44hrs the lifeboat launched following a request by Valentia Coast Guard. The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Lian…

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.