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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Dublin Bay Rowing Skiffs Rescued off Kish
#rnli – Howth and Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued five rowing skiffs in Dublin Bay last weekend when wind against tide conditions off the Kish bank threatened a local coastal rowing race. Both All-Weather Lifeboats from Howth RNLI and Dun Laoghaire…
Portuguese Man-of-Wars Arrive on Irish Shores
#WATER SAFETY - Irish Water Safety is warning members of the public that Portuguese Man-of-Wars have landed on beaches in Waterford and Cork, with reports of sightings in Tramore, Ardmore, Inchydoney and Schull so far – and may land on…
Marine Notice: Rock Placements Off Co Dublin & Buoy Deployments Off West Cast
#MARINE WARNING - The latest Marine Notices from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advise mariners to keep a look-out for rock placement off north Co Dublin and buoy placements off Co Mayo and Co Clare. Operations were…
Irish Diver Rescued from Rough Seas in Malta
#RESCUE - An Irish woman was rescued from rough Mediterranean seas while diving in Malta last week. According to Gozo News, the 44-year-old got into difficulty on Tuesday evening while on a dive off Qbajjar on the Maltese island of…
Marine Notice: Undersea Cable Repairs Off Kilmore Quay
#MARINE WARNING - In its latest Marine Notice to mariners in the Irish Sea, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises of cable repairs being carried out east of Kilmore Quay in Co Wexford. Operations commenced yesterday 6…
Major Maritime Exercise 'Diamond' for Belfast Lough
#coastguard – A major maritime exercise, 'Exercise Diamond', which involves HM Coastguard, vessels, RNLI lifeboats, helicopters, search and rescue coordinators, Belfast Harbour, emergency services and local authorities will be held on Sunday 23 September from 9.30 am. Exercise Diamond, a…
New Press Officer for RNLI Howth
#rnli – Joss succeeds Laura Roche as Press Officer at Howth Lifeboat station. Laura was a valued member of the team who volunteered as the busy lifeboat station's press officer for a number of years covering all types of rescues…
Down Coastguard Officers Commended for Rescues
#COASTGUARD - The Newry Times reports on the award of the Chief Coastguard's Commendation to two Co Down coastguard officers for separate rescues last year. Keith Campbell and John Kirkpatrick of the South Down Coastguard Team were recognised by the…
Search Resumes for Missing Wreck Diver off Baltimore
#rnli – Baltimore Lifeboat have resumed a search for a missing diver this morning at a wreck site south of Baltimore Harbour in West Cork. Both the inshore lifeboat and all weather lifeboat were launched yesterday evening in response to…
Marine Notice: Construction Work in Dingle Harbour
#MARINE WARNING - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises on construction works at An Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre in Co Kerry scheduled to commence today 3 September 2012, weather permitting. The works…
Steering Failure on Lough Derg Leads to Lifeboat Call Out
#rnli – Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard tonight to assist two persons on board a 35ft cruiser that had suffered steering failure in deteriorating weather conditions. The cruiser was en route from Dromineer…
Donegal Coastguard's Cliff Rescue Service May Be Scrapped
#COASTGUARD - The Donegal Democrat reports that the northern county may soon lose the cliff rescue service supplied by the Bunbeg coastguard unit. Irish Coast Guard spokesman Gerard O'Flynn confirmed that the recent Fisher Report commissined by Minister for Transport…
Isle of Man Kayak Girl Brought to Safety
#rescue – A 7-year-old girl was rescued from the bay at Derbyhaven yesterday afternoon after being swept offshore by southwesterly winds. The Marine Operations Centre based at the Isle of Man contacted Liverpool Coastguard at 1.26 pm to let them…
Marine Notice on Legal Requirements for Personal Flotation Devices
#WATER SAFETY - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) addresses the legal requirements for all recreational craft owners, masters and users in relation to the wearing and carrying of personal flotation devices (PFDs).…
Clyde Campaigners To Hold 'Red Flare' Protest Against Coastguard Closure
#COASTGUARD - Campaigners opposed to the closure of the Clyde coastguard station in western Scotland will next Friday hold a red flare protest against the UK government's plans. STV News reports that a flotilla of boats will gather at the…
Irish Coast Guard's New Smartphone App Aims to Save Lives
#COASTGUARD - A new smartphone app from the Irish Coast Guard could save dozens of lives, as the Irish Independent reports. The new technology allows the coastguard to track vessels at sea, and automatically prompts a search and rescue effort…

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.