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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
A file photo of Wicklow all-weather lifeboat
Wicklow all-weather RNLI lifeboat launched shortly before 11 pm this morning (Tuesday, 6 October) to assist in a multi-agency search for a missing person from a Dublin – Holyhead ferry. Fifteen minutes after launching Wicklow lifeboat was re-tasked by the…
 The Twelve Bens Cycling Club Sky Road Challenge 2020
Clifden RNLI was delighted to accept the sum of €3,774 raised by the Connemara based Twelve Bens Cycling Club after a unique and testing fundraising challenge. On Sunday, September 6th, 12 cyclists from the club undertook an innovative cycling challenge…
Lough Neagh Lifeboat Rescues Two on Yacht with Mechanical Difficulties
Last Sunday (4th October) Lough Neagh Rescue Lifeboat was tasked to two people stranded on Coney Island as their vessel had mechanical issues. Coney Island is owned by the National Trust and lies in the south-west corner of Lough Neagh…
File image of Aran Islands RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Aran Islands RNLI has encouraged the public to always call for help when they believe they’ve seen someone in distress at sea. The message follows a callout across Galway Bay to Rossaveal in Connemara last night (Monday 5 October) that…
Youghal RNLI Involved in Multi-Agency Rescue of a Person Cut off by the Tide
The Volunteer crew of Youghal RNLI were requested to launch this evening at 5.20 pm to reports of a lady cut off by a rising tide near the pier at Knockadoon. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat arrived on the scene…
The two kayakers were found after dark in the Bristol Channel by Minehead RNLI and HM Coastguard
Kayakers have been urged to always carry some means of attracting attention in an emergency, such as flares or a torch. The call from the RNLI came after an incident off Somerset in the UK last month in which two…
Irish Coast Guard Issues Reminder On Planned Changes To VHF Channels
The Irish Coast Guard is reminding mariners of its planned changes to the VHF working channels currently used for communications with the public. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, upgrades of radio equipment at a number of remote locations around the…
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat on course for Rathlin last night
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched to reports of a yacht in difficulty off Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland last night (Friday 2 October). The volunteer crew were in the water just before 9pm, half an hour after paging, and headed…
Patrick and Morgan Oliver - decribed as 'Claddagh Royalty' by Galway Mayor
The two Galway fishermen who rescued two paddleboarders in August have been honoured at a mayoral reception. Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard described Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan as “Claddagh royalty” when he presented them with a framed presentation…
John Payne, director of lifesaving operations for the RNLI, and HM Coastguard director Claire Hughes sign the MOU at Dover Lifeboat Station on Thursday 1 October
The RNLI and HM Coastguard have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that lays out each organisation’s responsibilities for search and rescue operations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. John Payne, director of lifesaving operations for the RNLI, and…
Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer
Tuesday 13 October at 8pm is the date and time for your TV diary to see the volunteer crew of Lough Derg RNLI feature in the current series of Saving Lives at Sea on BBC Two. Viewers will see Lough…
Derry Clarke Does Scallops for the RNLI: Host a Fish Supper & Help the RNLI Save Lives This Autumn
Lifesavers at the RNLI are encouraging people to support them by signing up to host a Fish Supper this October or donate the price of fish and chips to raise vital funds for the lifesaving charity. The RNLI's annual fishy…
Family Whose Great-Grandfather was Recognised for Lifesaving Rescue Pay Tribute to Kilmore Quay RNLI
A Wexford family has expressed thanks to the volunteers of Kilmore Quay RNLI who brought them to safety earlier this summer when their pleasure craft got into difficulty. James Kehoe and his grandchildren Aisling, 13, Emily, 9, and Orla, 7,…
Tramore RNLI’s inshore lifeboat returning to station at Tramore Pier
Tramore RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were tasked to the aid of a female swimmer in difficulty at the Guillamene cove in Co Waterford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 27 September). The inshore lifeboat was lunched at 1.55pm and within eight minutes was at…
Rescue teams working together to recover the 11-year-old girl
A young girl was rescued after she slipped and fell onto a coastal cliff in Co Down yesterday afternoon (Sunday 27 September). The major rescue operation took place at Ardglass after the 11-year-old slipped 20 feet down a steep bank…
Aberdeen’s inshore lifeboat Buoy Woody searches off Aberdeen Beach
Aberdeen’s two RNLI lifeboats launched minutes apart around 9am this morning (Sunday 27 September) to a report of two surfers in danger at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour in Eastern Scotland. It emerged that the surfers had paddled out beyond…

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.