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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Ireland's biggest boating centre
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, has today (17 September 2024) launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft. The publication of the new Code of…
Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew
The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew was tasked with assisting seven people on board three boats that ran aground on Sunday, September 15. The return of good weather this past weekend saw additional activity on Lough Ree. It proved…
Portaferry RNLI volunteers launch the inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V
Portaferry RNLI were paged by Belfast Coastguard just after midnight on Friday night (13 September) to assist two people onboard a fishing vessel which had run aground close to the entrance of Ardglass Harbour on Northern Ireland’s east coast. The…
File image of Ballyglass RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Ballyglass RNLI launched both its all-weather and inshore lifeboats on Sunday afternoon (15 September) to assist the crew of a 26m cutter that got into difficulty west of the Mullet Peninsula. Malin Head Coast Guard requested the volunteer crew to…
Mayo's Ballyglass RNLI all weather lifeboat
Ballyglass RNLI in County Mayo launched both its all-weather and inshore lifeboats yesterday afternoon (Sunday 15 September) to assist the crew of a 26m cutter vessel that got into difficulty west of the Mullet Peninsula. Malin Head Coast Guard requested…
Paddy Lowry with his wife Terri and their two children at Portaferry lifeboat station
Comber man Paddy Lowry is Portaferry RNLI’s newest helm after he successfully passed a rigorous assessment following months of intensive training. Paddy joined Portaferry RNLI in 2022 after moving close to Portaferry on Northern Ireland’s Ards Peninsula with his family.…
The crew who died on board Rescue 116 in 2017: Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith
Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter crew are upset over CHC Ireland’s failure to fully implement a key recommendation arising from the Rescue 116 helicopter crash in north Mayo. As The Sunday Independent reports, unions are currently negotiating with…
The late RNLI Castletownbere Deputy Coxswain Garda Dave Fenton
Tributes have been paid to RNLI Castletownbere deputy coxswain Dave Fenton, who has died unexpectedly at the age of 41. As The Sunday Independent reports, Fenton was an experienced Garda who saved lives on both land and sea as a…
Darren Collins (right) with his dad Chris (left) of Union Hall RNLI with Darren’s uncle Pat of Baltimore RNLI
Union Hall RNLI now has its first father-and-son helms in Chris and Darren Collins. Darren has been a volunteer crew member at the West Cork lifeboat station and on Thursday night (12 September) passed out as a helm. The role…
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) headed by Irish woman Dr Susan Steele is leading the multi-purpose maritime operation, involving the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and Frontex, the border control agency
Three EU agencies are taking part in a joint coast guard exercise in the Adriatic Sea in cooperation with Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) headed by Irish woman Dr Susan Steele is leading the multi-purpose…
The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat
Aran Islands RNLI came to the aid of three kayakers who failed to return to shore yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, 10th September). The alarm was raised when they were reported overdue. The volunteer crew were initially requested to launch their all-weather…
Rosslare Harbour RNLI’s volunteers responding to the call-out on Saturday afternoon 7 September
Rosslare Harbour RNLI and Carnsore/Rosslare Coast Guard came to the aid of a sailor on a 17ft pleasure craft which had developed mechanical problems on Saturday (7 September). The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 12.20pm, following a call from the…
File image of Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a planned course to neighbouring Enniskillen RNLI lifeboat station on Saturday afternoon (7 September) to assess a six-metre vessel with engine difficulties some 2.5 miles downstream from Carrybridge. Winds…
Bangor RNLI's Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Ruby Robinson
Bangor RNLI came to the aid of three people in consecutive call-outs yesterday (Monday, 9 September) after a report of a sailing boat with engine difficulty close to Bangor harbour and again later that evening to a sailor in distress…
The new lifeboat station at Arranmore RNLI
Arranmore RNLI crew celebrated the official opening of their new station on Saturday (7 September) amid sunshine and with friends from near and far. After the ceremony was over, the crew went home for a well-earned rest — or so…
A presentation was held at Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat station to award longstanding service certificates of thanks to volunteers. The recipients included Johnny Moore, Felicity and John McMorris, and Pauline McGann
Two of Kilmore Quay RNLI’s dedicated fundraising volunteers were presented with RNLI Certificates of Thanks on Sunday (September 8th) in recognition of their longstanding service to the charity that saves lives at sea. As an independent charity organisation, the RNLI…

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.