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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Airstrip is the Answer for Homeless Cleggan Coast Guard, Says TD
Cleggan Coast Guard in Connemara is long overdue a permanent base — and a local TD insists the village’s airstrip is the answer. As the Connacht Tribune reports, Éamon Ó Cuív says it is unacceptable that the coastguard service for…
File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteers were called twice in succession to aid two people in need of medical attention in the Galway Bay islands yesterday morning, Monday 19 October. The lifeboat crew were tasked to launch their all-weather vessel David Kirkaldy…
Baltimore RNLI preparing to depart the lifeboat station
Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation late last night (Sunday 18 October) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork.  The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 11.39 pm, following a request…
Lough Neagh rescue lifeboat
Yesterday (Sunday 18th) Lough Neagh Rescue came to the aid of a Bayliner speedboat with one person and a dog on board in the vicinity of Rams Island on the Lough. The vessel was experiencing engine difficulties. Rams Island is…
Loch Ness RNLI’s crew approach the flying boat with engine trouble
The RNLI recorded one of their more unusual launches yesterday evening (Saturday 17 October) after a World War II-era seaplane made a distress call from Loch Ness. It emerged that the aircraft, the PBY Catalina, had experienced engine issues while…
The current Coastguard contractor operates a fleet of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters from four bases: Shannon, Sligo, Dublin and Waterford
The Irish Coast Guard has asked the Government to include fixed-wing aircraft and use of drones in the new State contract for search and rescue. As The Sunday Times reports today, tender offers for the new air/sea service, which will…
Skerries RNLI towing the yacht into Rogerstown
Skerries RNLI recently launched to the rescue of a yacht with one person aboard that was adrift in the Skerries Islands. The incident occurred on Thursday morning 15 October, when the yacht made a VHF distress call that was relayed…
The scene at Skippingstone Beach
Skippingstone Beach is a popular swimming venue a short distance to the west of Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough and sadly was the scene this morning (13th October) of a fatality. It is only a few hundred yards from the…
Fenit RNLI offshore lifeboat
The team at Fenit RNLI in County Kerry is calling for new volunteers to help them to save lives at sea. The charity is looking for volunteers to take up the Deputy Launching Authority role at the station. This role…
Rescue 116 winches the pair to safety
Two people — one with an injured ankle — were rescued by the Irish Coast Guard after getting stuck on a cliff near the Baily Lighthouse on Howth Head yesterday afternoon (Sunday 11 October). Howth Coast Guard’s cliff team reached the scene…
Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat
Fethard RNLI responded to two incidents in a 24-hour period over the weekend after two vessels, each with two people onboard, got into difficulty in the Waterford estuary. The first call-out came on Friday evening (9 October), when the volunteer…
Sligo-based Galway-born GP Katie McAnena, a five-times national women's windsurfing champion, setting a new women's record at Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, last January
If there is an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good, it is the numbers taking to the sea and inland waterways during Covid-19. As The Sunday Times reports today, this season has been the busiest ever for outdoor pursuit…
Dun Laoghaire RNLI tows the yacht back to harbour
The Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon (Saturday 10 October) following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist four people on board a 36ft yacht, which had reported having mechanical issues while anchored just…
John Coyle OBE of Galway
Galway man John Coyle has been recognised by the Queen in the Birthday Honours list for his role in helping the RNLI in its work to save lives at sea. John is to receive an OBE. A former Trustee of…
Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
The team at Newcastle RNLI in Northern Ireland is calling for a new volunteer lifeboat press officer to help them to save lives at sea. This role will help raise awareness of the RNLI through the promotion of the lifeboat…
File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat
Aran Islands RNLI’s volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 4.43pm yesterday (Thursday 8 October) to assist a 38ft fishing vessel that was drifting “dangerously close” to Eagle Rock, just off Golam Head in Co Galway. Under coxswain John O'Donnell…

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.