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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Irish Vessels Asked to Keep Lookout for Missing Yacht
Ships off Ireland's south and west coasts have been asked by the French coastguard to keep a lookout for a yachtsman who has gone missing on a transatlantic voyage. In a report that has echoes of missing yacht The Golden…
Coast Guard Chopper Rescues Couple in Galway Bay
The Irish Times reports that a man and a woman were rescued in Galway Bay yesterday afternoon after their sailing dinghy capsized. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0927/1224304800796.html http://afloat.ie/safety/rescue/ The pair were winched to safety by the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter off the Co…
70 Year Old Man Falls Over Cliff
A 70 year old man was  rescued last night from the bottom of the cliffs at Llangrannog, West Wales. Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted at just before six o'clock by a member of the public who was…
Wet, Shocked but Unharmed, Two Crew Plucked from Liferaft off Ardglass
The safety equipment carried on fishing vessel 'Islander' proved its worth this evening after it was used to alert rescue services after the vessel capsized in rough weather. At 4.40pm Belfast Coastguard were notified through MRCC Clyde that Falmouth Coastguard…
Missing Bermuda Yacht Arrives Safely in Co Kerry
A yacht that was reported missing in the Atlantic between Bermuda and Ireland sailed safely into port in Co Kerry this afternoon. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Golden Eagle has been at the centre of an air and sea…
MCIB Report on Sinking of Fishing Vessel 'Ainmire'
A breach in the engine compartment caused the fishing vessel Ainmire to take on water and sink off the coast of Scotland in April last year, according to the official report into the incident. http://afloat.ie/port-news/fishing/ All crew on board the…
MCIB Highlights Danger of Fishing Without Safety Gear
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has called on the Government to continue highlighting the dangers of operating boats without adequate safety equipment, following its report into the death of a Wexford fisherman last year. http://afloat.ie/safety/mcib/ Michael O'Connor drowned after…
Search for Yacht Missing Between Bermuda and Ireland
An air and sea search operation is underway for a yacht missing en route from Bermuda to Ireland, The Irish Times reports. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0920/breaking12.html The Golden Eagle has been out of contact since leaving port on 21 August. It was due…
Wicklow Lifeboat Assists Fishing Vessel after Collision with Tanker
Wicklow RNLI lifeboat launched on a call out at 06.20am this morning to assist a Irish fishing vessel involved in a collision at sea with a large oil tanker about 29 miles East of Wicklow harbour. The alarm was raised…
Lough Derg Lifeboat Uses Salvage Pumps to Save Cruiser on Rocks
Last night, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat, Toshiba Wave Warrior, was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to go to the assistance of 1 person, on board a 33ft cruiser on rocks after suffering engine failure, and which was now taking on…
Howth Lifeboat Shows True Colours
Howth Lifeboat at 1800 hrs the night before the big match - inspite of our photograph we are assured that any Kerry sailors in difficulty on the Irish Sea this weekend will be treated the same as everyone else.   Meanwhile…
Lough Derg Lifeboat Launches for Broken Down Motor Boat
Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat, Toshiba Wave Warrior, was requested by Valentia Coast Guard to go to the assistance of 3 persons, on board a 28ft motor boat, that had suffered engine failure and was adrift in Force 4 winds last…
Ireland Bidding for European Coast Guard Secretariat
Ireland is bidding to bring the proposed Europe-wide coastguard secretariat to Dublin, The Irish Times reports. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/coastguard/ Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds is in charge of setting up the new office as chair of the EU Heads of Coast…
Red Bay Lifeboat Join in Search for Ballycastle Woman
Red Bay RNLI Lifeboat crew joined the search this morning for Ballycastle woman who has been missing since Sunday evening. The volunteer lifeboat crew assisted in an intensive shoreline search today along the coastline around Ballycastle from Fair Head to…
Seven New Coast Guard Boats in €2M Safety Programme
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced a €2 million safety investment programme for the Coast Guard to purchase seven new boats, along with new vehicles and equipment: €1.5 million has been allocated for 7 new Coast…
Award for Helicopter Crews 'Outstanding Service' to Irish Maritime Search and Rescue
CHC Helicopter rescue crews have been recognised for their brave, sustained, professional and outstanding service to maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) in Ireland. One of the world's leading helicopter services company, CHC has built up an unparalleled reputation for excellence…

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.