Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Comedian PJ Gallagher Backs RNLI’s ‘Mayday’ Appeal to Fundraise at Home During Coronavirus Restrictions
30th April 2020 RNLI Lifeboats
Lifesaving charity, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), is encouraging people to help save lives at sea and on inland waters by fundraising at home for its annual Mayday fundraising appeal. The RNLI’s Mayday campaign normally sees people taking part…
Good Weather Tempts Jet-Skiers & Others Back Onto Water Against Covid-19 Measures
29th April 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
The past weekend’s good weather tempted a group of jet-skiers who subsequently ran into difficulty in Clew Bay, as The Irish Times reports. Achill Island RNLI launched its lifeboat on Saturday evening (25 April) to reports of three men on…
Inspection and maintenance on the Corrib gas pipeline and associated infrastructure is scheduled to take place from next week. Conducted by Vermillion Ireland, the works from next Wednesday 6 May, weather permitting, are expected to last for around 20 days…
Wicklow RNLI brought four fishermen to safety yesterday evening (Monday 27 April) after their vessel got into difficulties off the Wicklow coast. The all-weather lifeboat Jock and Annie Slater put to sea shortly before 7pm under the command of coxswain…
The closing date to apply for the role of Watch Officer with the Irish Coast Guard is this coming Thursday 30 April. Afloat.ie previously reported on vacancies at the coastguard’s three Marine Rescue Coordination Centres in Dublin, Malin Head in…
Marine Notice Reminds Skippers of Legal Obligations Operating Vessels
25th April 2020 Marine Warning
In the wake of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board report involving fire onboard the fishing vessel “MFV Suzanne II”, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has reminded vessel owners of their legal obligations when operating a vessel. The reminder comes…
Kayaker Who Died on Lough Gill Had Been Separated from Canadian Canoe in Bad Weather, MCIB Report Finds
22nd April 2020 MCIB
A lone kayaker who died on Sligo’s Lough Gill last year may have become separated from his Canadian canoe in bad weather, an investigation has found. A Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the incident on January 29th, 2019,…
Marine Notice: Lantern Not Working On Killybegs Harbour Monitoring Buoy
21st April 2020 Marine Warning
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised by TechWorks Marine that the lantern on the monitoring buoy in Killybegs Harbour has stopped working. The buoy is part of environmental oceanographic monitoring for the Department of Agriculture, Food…
A Spanish fisherman with acute abdominal pain was airlifted from a trawler some 70 miles off Castletownbere earlier this week, as the Irish Examiner reports. The Irish Coast Guard tasked Shannon-based helicopter Rescue 115 for the medevac on Tuesday afternoon…
Surfers Urged To Stay Ashore Amid Pandemic & Avoid Risk To Lifesaving Crews
15th April 2020 Water Safety
Aberdeen RNLI has urged surfers to stay ashore during the Covid-19 pandemic to “protect emergency services and save lives”. The call came after the volunteer crew of the station in north-east Scotland were forced to break self-isolation and launch their…
While the community was shining a light in support of frontline workers this past Easter weekend, Arklow RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were making their way to the lifeboat station following reports of a distress flare being sighted off the coast.…
Larne RNLI searched for a dog today (Thursday 9 April) when it was reported missing after falling over a cliff near Muck Island, close to Islandmagee in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch by…
RNLI & Irish Coast Guard Urges People Not to Use the Sea for Exercise or Recreation
9th April 2020 Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) are asking the public not to take part in any water-based activity on or in the sea, while the current national emergency restrictions are in place. Both organisations are…
Valentia RNLI volunteers launched their all-weather lifeboat this morning to assist a fisherman who required medical attention. At 07.25 am the Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI all-weather lifeboat to launch to an ill fisherman onboard a 22m fishing vessel,…
RNLI Chief Takes 50% Pay Cut As Lifesaving Charity Plans To Furlough Nearly A Third Of Staff
8th April 2020 RNLI Lifeboats
The RNLI’s chief executive, Mark Dowie, said he will take a 50% pay cut to help the storm caused by the coronavirus. And the charity that saves lives at sea is also planning to put some 30% of staff on…
Children ‘At Greater Risk Of Drowning’ During Covid-19 Restrictions
31st March 2020 Coronavirus and Boating
Water Safety Ireland has warned that children are at greater risk of drowning during the current period of Covid-19 restrictions. The organisation points out that over half a million primary school-age children are confined to an area within 2km of…
