Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Department Accepts Recommendations in MCIB Tit Bonhomme Report
The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport has accepted all five recommendations from the MCIB report in the 2012 sinking of the Tit Bonhomme trawler published today. The Irish Registered motor fishing vessel "MFV Tit Bonhomme" left Union Hall, Glandore,…
Lough Lifeboat Launches to Cruiser on Rocks
#loughderg – At 3pm yesterday, April 6, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat to launch to assist two people on board their 31ft cruiser, after their boat grounded on rocks by St. David's in Dromineer Bay. SEE VIDEO BELOW The…
Marine Notice: 3D Seismic Surveys In Celtic Sea
#MarineNotice - Further to the recent notice of a 2D seismic survey in the Atlantic waters of the Irish continental shelf, Marine Notice No 14 of 2013 advises mariners of two full 3D seismic surveys in the Celtic Sea off…
Butcher Couple Eschews Anniversary Gifts for RNLI Donation
#RNLI - Rather than accept gifts for their 50th wedding anniversary, a Portstweart couple have asked their family and friends to make donations to Portrush RNLI. As the Coleraine Times reports, Ewart Toms and his wife - who are well…
Marine Notice: New Seismic Survey Of Continental Shelf
#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport advises mariners that ENI Ireland BV is scheduled to conduct a 2D seismic survey in the Atlantic waters of the Irish Designated Continental Shelf. The planned…
Enniskillen RNLI Assist Sinking Vessel on Lough Erne
#RNLI - Enniskillen RNLI at Carrybridge was tasked on Tuesday afternoon (2 April) by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a boat taking on water and sinking on Lough Erne. The lifeboat travelled 4km towards Enniskillen to the last known position of…
Man Pulled from Water Near Portstewart Harbour
#coastguard – A man has been taken to hospital after falling into the water near Portstewart Harbour in Northern Ireland.Belfast Coastguard was contacted by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service just before 5pm this afternoon, telling them a person had fallen…
Busy Days For RNLI Lifeboats In Co Down
#RNLI - Newcastle RNLI’s always-on-call lifeboat crew had to abandon their buckets and sponges during a fundraising car wash at the weekend to respond to an emergency at the Co Down town’s harbour. The RNLI volunteers were busily soaping and…
Rescued Kayakers Praised for Being Well Equipped
#kayakrescue – Two kayakers, one of whom was rescued from the sea off Rhoscolyn on the Irish Sea yesterday afternoon, have been praised for being well equipped and prepared for emergency situations. Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a…
Sligo Coastguard Chopper In Rescue Of 'Idiotic' Climbers
#Coastguard - A Limavady councillor says two men rescued yesterday from the snow-covered Benevenagh Mountain should be billed for the cost of their "completely idiotic" escapade. The Belfast Telegraph reports that the Irish Coast Guard's Sligo-based Rescue 118 helicopter was…
Report on Dundalk Harbour Drowning Raises Importance of Water Safety
#MCIB - Investigators have reiterated the importance of water safety measures such as wearing a lifejacket and having a means of alert when on or near the water in the report into the death of a man in Dundalk Harbour…
NI Lifeguards To Feature In New TV Series
#WaterSafety - RNLI lifeguards in Northern Ireland are to feature on a new television series on UTV. The Magazine starts on Sunday 7 April at 7.30pm with host Sarah Travers in her home town of Portstewart to introduce viewers to…
Cruiser on Rocks is Rescued by Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat
#loughdergrnli – This afternoon at the request of Valentia Coast Guard, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat went to the assistance of two people who were in difficulty after their 25ft cruiser grounded on rocks inside the area known locally as the…
Howth Duo Cycling From London To Paris For RNLI
#HowthRNLI - Howth locals Jennifer Murphy and Brendan Mulligan will be taking part in the London to Paris Bike Ride in aid of Howth RNLI. The 377km charity challenge will take place between 23 and 26 August. Riders will depart…
Fenit RNLI Bid to Save Stranded Dolphin
#rnli – Lifeboat crew with Fenit RNLI and three local families worked together last night (Tuesday 26 March) to save the life of a stranded dolphin in the Kerry town. The mammal was running out of time after he was washed…
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Crew Give it Some Welly
#rnli – With the recent downpours, the RNLI is calling on people to put their wellies to good use and support their forthcoming MAYDAY appeal.  The charity that saves lives at sea is asking the public to hold a welly…

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.