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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Skerries Search Called Off as Bodies of Fishermen Found
The bodies of two fishermen missing off the Skerries coast since last Friday have been found. Ronan Browne, 26, and David Gilsenan, 41, had not been seen since setting out from Skerries harbour on the morning of 1 April. As…
Liverpool Coastguard Rescues 93 People
Liverpool Coastguard are reminding people to check the tide times before venturing out to the coast today after they sent resources to rescue 93 people cut off by the tide in five different incidents on the Irish Sea this afternoon.…
Two Vessels Collide off Isle of Man
Two lifeboats were sent to a sinking fishing vessel after it collided with a coaster five and a half miles south of the Isle of Man this morning. At 0600 this morning the 17-metre fishing boat 'Lynn Marie' called Liverpool…
Corrib Drilling Advisory to Vessels
The Department of Transport's latest marine notice advises on the start of offshore drilling operations by Shell Ireland at the Corrib gas field in Co Mayo. Drilling is scheduled to begin on or around 13 April, to last for approximately…
Portrush RNLI Lifeboat to be Named
Portrush RNLI Lifeboat 'David Roultson' will be named next Saturday, April 16th. The D class lifeboat will be named at a ceremony at Portrush Lifeboat Station at 2pm. The lifeboat has been funded through a generous contribution from the Civil…
Launching? Check Your Boat Maintenance
With the lighter evenings now approaching and better weather on its way (hopefully!) many boaters will be thinking about getting back out on the water and sailing again. But have you carried out all of the maintenance needed to ensure…
Kinsale Coast Guard in Daring Cliff Rescue
The Irish Coast Guard's Kinsale unit was involved in the dramatic rescue of a man clinging to the sheer side of a cliff on Sunday. TheJournal.ie reports that the man, a 20-something English tourist, had been caught on the beach…
Two Boys Rescued From Holyhead Harbour
Holyhead RNLI's lifeboat was dispatched on Tuesday morning to rescue two boys from a rocky outcrop just outside Holyhead harbour. The boys, aged 13 and 14, had ventured out to Piebio Island, which is accessible at low tide, but quickly…
Search Resumes for Missing Fishermen Off Skerries
The search for two fishermen missing off the north Co Dublin coast has resumed this morning. The Irish Times reports that the two men, believed to be in their 20s and 40s, were on a small open fishing boat that…
New Database Reveals Deaths in UK Waters
The first report from a new incident database shows that more than 400 people died from accidents or by natural causes in water across Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2009. The WAID (Water Incident Database) was developed by the…
Donations Vital for RNLI Service
Charlie McGibney presents a cheque to David Buttimer, chairman of the Fenit RNLI lifeboat fund-raising committee, for donations received at the funeral of his loving wife Ita McGibney. It was Ita's request that donations made during her funeral be presented…
British Coastguard Fears Loss of Choppers
The union representing coastguard staff in the UK has expressed its fears over the loss of air rescue services when a number of helicopters are transferred to Ireland next year. Under CHC's €500m contract to provide search and rescue services…
Loss of Bangor 'Would Jeopardise Air Rescues'
Ireland's free provision of air-sea rescue services to Northern Ireland could be in jeopardy if the Bangor coastguard centre is closed, a DUP MP has warned. In today's Belfast Telegraph, Strangford's Jim Shannon said that loss of the cross-border relationship…
Updated List of Approved Liferafts for Small Fishing Vessels
The Department of Transport's latest marine notice adds two more classes of liferaft to those deemed acceptable for use on small fishing vessels that do not require SOLAS/MED approval. The list of accepted four-person inflatable liferafts (all with SOLAS Pack)…
Crew Brought to Safety by Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat
Two fishermen were brought to safety this evening by the RNLI All-weather lifeboat (ALB) from Dun Laoghaire when their 10-metre vessel broke-down East of Dalkey Island. The pair anchored their boat as a precaution and awaited the arrival of the…
Marine Minister to Have Air-Sea Rescue Remit
Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney will have the remit for air and sea search and rescue services, it has emerged. The Irish Times reports that the move is part of a promised consolidation of maritime functions under the new…

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.