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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Decision on UK Coastguard Cuts Next Month
The final decision on plans to streamline the UK's network of coastguard centres will be taken next month, the News Letter reports. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/coastguard/ As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the 24-hour station at Bangor - which covers Nothern Ireland's coastline -…
Report Into Loss of Janireh Crewman Now Online
The full report of the investiation into the loss of a crewman from the fishing vessel Janireh earlier this year is now availble online. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/fishing/ Egyptian national Nadi Sehsaah died after falling overboard from the trawler some 20 nautical miles…
Divers Rescued off Wexford After RIB Capsizes
Four missing divers were found off the Wexford coast after a night search by RNLI lifeboats and Coast Guard. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO. Four divers have been rescued off the coast of Co Wexford today after a search involving four…
Basic Safety On the Water
Even the most experienced people with the best equipment can run into danger on the water, according to the RNLI's Irish sea safety officer. Kevin Rahill told The Irish Times that standards are improving in terms of safety awareness, but…
President Mary McAleese names the first Tamar class RNLI lifeboat in Ireland at Kilmore Quay
The RNLI volunteers with Kilmore Quay lifeboat station are the first to receive the new €3 million lifeboat, which is the most modern and technically advanced lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. The new lifeboat, which is named Killarney (ON 1298)…
Irish Sea Sailor Makes Call for Help
At 07.52 am today, Liverpool Coastguard monitored a call from someone making a radio call that was not specifically directed at any receiving station. A Liverpool Coastguard officer responded to the call and communicated with the man. It transpired that…
Milford Haven Fisherman Missing After Falling Overboard
At 08.21 am, the FV 'About Time' which is an under 15 metre registered FV which operates out of Milford Haven called Coastguard on Channel 16 to report that he had lost a crewman. There was three crew onboard and…
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboats Aid Three People During Boat Drama
Three people were rescued in Killiney Bay this afternoon when their small boat capsized.  Both all weather and inshore RNLI lifeboats from Dun Laoghaire and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter rushed to the scene when the alert was raised at…
Afloat.ie - Essential Maintenance Tonight
Afloat.ie goes in for some overdue maintenance tonight. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please be assured the website will be back in the morning faster than before!
West Cork Lifeboats Rescue Yacht
A yacht in distress 28 miles South West of Baltimore called for assistance in the early hours of this morning. The 36ft yacht had left the Azores 11 days previously heading for  Kinsale with two Danish men on board in…
Agreement Strengthens Irish and French Search and Rescue
The Irish Coast Guard has signed up to an important Search and Rescue cooperation agreement with the French Coast Guard. Director of the Irish Coast Guard Chris Reynolds and Vice Admiral Anne-Francois de Saint-Salvy, Prefecture for the Atlantic Region and…
Bangor Lifeboat Rescues Seven on 40ft Pleasure Craft
RNLI Bangor Lifeboat launched at 1:45 pm on Sunday 29th May to rescue seven people aboard a 40ft leisure fishing boat which had experienced engine failure close to Black Head on northern shores of Belfast Lough. Belfast Coastguard received the…
Warning to the Public
WARNING TO THE PUBLIC AIR CORPS FIRING EXERCISES AND AIR DEFENCE ARTILLERY FIRING EXERCISES  From Tuesday 14th June to Saturday 18th June 2011 (inclusive)  From Monday 20th June to Saturday 25th June 2011 (inclusive)  From Monday 27th June to Friday…
National Water Safety Awareness Week Begins
How long can you hold your breath in water? Breathing is easy until you fall overboard. Your lifejacket will be your lifeline, that's the message from Irish Water Safety in a message tailored for boaters at this week's start of…
Wicklow Lifeboat Rescue Two Sailors
Just as most people were going to bed late on Friday night the volunteer crew of Wicklow Lifeboat were being alerted by pager and assembling at the Station. The alarm was raised after a yachtsman contacted the Coast Guard to…
Ken Robertson Retires as Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Coxswain
After a quarter of a century of voluntary service, Ken Robertson is to retire as station coxswain with the RNLI at Dun Laoghaire from the end of May.  Mark McGibney has been selected as his successor from a panel of…

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.