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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Marine Notice No. 01 of 2014 – STCW Convention and Code "The Manila Amendments" - Security Training. It was intended that Marine Notices No. 50 to No. 59 would be published as part of a series being issued concerning the changes to…
Damage to Westcove Perch & Leading Lights, Co. Kerry
Marine Notice No. 13 of 2014 Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and SeafarersDamage to Westcove Perch and Leading Lights, Co. Kerry, due to recent storms The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been…
Marine Notice: Revision Of Code Of Practice For Small Fishing Vessels
#MarineNotice - Marine Notice 14 of 2014 advises that a revised Code of Practice concerning the Design, Construction, Equipment and Operation of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15 metres length overall (Revision 2 dated 20/01/14 with operative date of…
New Requirements For Certificates of Competency Under 'Manila Amendments' For ETOs and ETRs
#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 3 of 2014 provides guidance on the implementation of the Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (STCW), with respect to Electro-technical Officers (ETO)…
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker After He Falls Out of Kayak
#rnli – Volunteer lifeboat crew with Lough Derg RNLI pulled a man from the Nenagh river this afternoon after they had received reports that he had fallen from his kayak and was being pushed down the fast flowing river. Members…
Wexford RNLI Mark Centenary of Fethard Lifeboat Tragedy
#rnli – On the 20 February 1914 fourteen volunteer lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI set out to rescue the crew of the Norwegian Schooner the Mexico, which had lost its bearings in terrible weather and had been driven onto rocks…
RNLI Marks Centenary Of Fethard Lifeboat Tragedy
#RNLI - One hundred years ago, nine volunteer lifeboat crew from Fethard RNLI lost their lives as lifeboat crews rescued 10 people after Norwegian vessel, the Mexico, struck rocks off the Wexford coast. Hundreds of people gathered to attend events…
Lough Ree RNLI Rescue Two Men, Search For Third Continues
#rnli – Volunteer lifeboat crew with Lough Ree RNLI were stood down at this evening (Thursday 20 March 2014) following a major search for a man believed missing when a boat carrying three men set off for Carnagh, from Hodson…
Marine Notice: Well Intervention On Corrib Gas Field
#MarineNotice - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that semi-submersible drilling rig Ocean Guardian (Call Sign V7FF7) will commence well intervention work for Shell E&P Ireland Limited on the Corrib Gas Field off the coast of Co…
Marine Notice: Hydrographic Survey In Donegal Bay
#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 24 of 2014 advises that a hydrographic and geophysical survey operation will be carried out in Donegal Bay between 28 March and 3 April 2014 as part of the INFOMAR programme. The RV Celtic Voyager…
Marine Notice: Dredging & Disposal Works At Wicklow Harbour
#MarineNotice - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) has been advised that dredging and disposal works will commence in Wicklow Harbour (52° 58.9’N, 006° 02.1’W) on Thursday 10 April 2014 and will continue for a period of approximately…
‘Give It Some Welly’ For The RNLI This Mayday
#RNLI - The RNLI is calling on the public to ‘give it some welly’ and support Mayday, the charity’s major fundraising campaign in Dublin. People are being asked to buy and wear a yellow welly pin badge or keyring which…

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.