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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Galway Lifeboat crew Declan Killilea (helm), Lisa McDonagh and Frankie Leonard returning to the lifeboat station after being requested to launch to reports of a windsurfer in difficulty off Salthill on Sunday 08 September, the first of two shouts within 24 hours for the volunteer Galway crew
The crew of the Galway RNLI lifeboat launched on Sunday after a report of a windsurfer in difficulty off Salthill and again on Monday morning to a boat in distress off Ballinacourty Pier. The pagers were activated at 3.24pm yesterday…
Kinsale RNLI inshore lifeboat launches
Kinsale RNLI rescued a teenager after a fall on the rocks at the entrance to Sandycove, a popular swimming and fishing spot near Kinsale. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 7:16pm on Saturday, (7 September)…
Clifden RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat at sunset
The volunteer crew at Clifden RNLI launched both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats on Friday evening (6 February) to assist a man who had sustained injuries on Inishbofin. The pagers sounded at 6.45pm and the lifeboats were away shortly afterwards.…
File image of Ballyglass RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor on Tuesday night (3 September) after they experienced a knee injury. The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist the sailor, who was four…
Clifden RNLI’s inshore lifeboat taking the stricken fishing vessel under tow
The volunteer crew of Clifden RNLI launched at 12.30pm on Tuesday (3 September) to reports of a broken-down fishing vessel. Clifden’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched with Owen Hayes as helm and John Mullen, Sinead O’Sullivan and Shane Conneely…
Open Day at Enniskillen RNLI
Enniskillen RNLI will be throwing open the doors of its inshore lifeboat station with an open day this Saturday 7 September. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the lifeboat station, which was officially opened in 2023. During the event,…
MOAS was set up by Christopher and Regina Catrambone over a decade ago as a response to the drownings of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean
Over 200,000 lives at sea have been saved in the past ten years by a migrant rescue service set up by a Malta-based business couple ten years ago. The Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) has expanded rescue work from the…
Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat crew
Courtmacsherry RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 10.15pm on Sunday night (1 September) to go to the aid of a 35ft yacht, which sought assistance as its crew got into difficulties off Dunworley Head in Clonakilty Bay.…
The first AW189 Helicopter in the new Coast Guard fleet arrives at Weston Airport. Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Coast Guard, James Lawless, with Ms Joanna Cullen, Assistant Secretary, Irish Coast Guard and Micheal O’Toole, Director for the Irish Coast Guard, with the newly arrived AW189 helicopter, one of six which have been ordered at Weston Airport
Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Coast Guard, James Lawless, today [Thursday, 29th August] welcomed the arrival into Weston Airport of the first AW189 helicopter in the Irish Coast Guard’s new aircraft fleet. The…
The 4.8 metre coastal angling boat Nuala Bríd. The was vessel involved in the marine casualty investigation following the death of a recreational motorboat owner who fell overboard near Bruckless Pier, Co Donegal
Water Safety Ireland should consider researching whether some form of “regulated training” would improve basic safety education among recreational craft users, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has said. Regulated training would be a matter for the Minister for Transport,…
Over 30 ring buoys were recently stolen or went missing in one month alone - Garda Conor Newman, Sgt Chris Jones, Water Safety Development Officer Gerard Carty and Inspector Bryan Hunt of the Bridewell Garda Station
Dublin City Council has appealed to members of the public not to remove ring buoys from their location beside rivers and canals. “Alarmingly, over 30 ring buoys were recently stolen or went missing in one month alone,”it says. “These life-saving…
File image of Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to launch at 4.45pm on Tuesday (27 August) following reports that two swimmers had got into difficulty while swimming at Green Hole at the mouth of Youghal Bay and…
Bronze medals for Senior team Ireland at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships (from left to right) Odhran Savage, Tom Breen, Aisling Barry and Ryan Cotter
Team Ireland's Senior Team proudly secured a bronze medal at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships in the SERC (simulated emergency response competition) which tested the exceptional initiative, judgment, knowledge, and abilities of four lifesavers who act as a team to…
Red Bay RNLI in County Antrim completed a nine-hour callout in rough weather conditions
Red Bay RNLI in County Antrim completed a nine-hour callout in rough weather conditions to rescue two people and their two dogs after their 55-foot yacht got into difficulty off the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland in the early hours…
Cork's Katie Cotter is one of 15 of Ireland’s top Senior and Youth Lifesavers currently participating in the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships from 23rd August – 8th September. The competition sees lifesavers from over fifty countries compete in pool and sea environments at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Kurrawa Beach in Queensland, Australia
Fifteen of Ireland’s top Senior and Youth Lifesavers are currently taking part in the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships from 23rd August – 8th September. The competition sees lifesavers from over fifty countries across the world compete in pool and sea…
Belinda, James and their Porsche 911 with Newcastle RNLI’s volunteer crew and the D class inshore lifeboat Eliza
A married couple in a Porsche 911 travelling the coast of Ireland and the UK, attempting to visit all RNLI lifeboat stations recently met volunteers from Newcastle lifeboat station in Northern Ireland as they continue their journey. Belinda and James…

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.