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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Men Drowned When Currach Capsized – Report
The report surrounding a fatal incident in a fibreglass Currach at Claddaghduff was published this afternoon by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and is now available to download below. The report found that on the morning of 21st April 2009,…
Ballycotton Lifeboat Launches to Free Pleasure Craft with Fouled Propellor
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched this afternoon to a 40–foot pleasure craft which has a foulded propeller, a mile east of Ballycotton lighthouse in East Cork. They are on scene at present (15:14) and are attempting to free the propellor. Update…
MCIB to Release 'Skellig Light II', 'Claddaghduff' and 'Ikom K' Reports Today
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has advised reports into the "Skellig Light II", Claddaghduff and "Ikom K" accidents will be released later today. Check back here for full details as we have them.
Lake Lifeboat Goes on Show
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Crew is inviting the public to visit the lifeboat station on their annual Open Day, next Saturday July 17th, from 11am until 3pm. The Lifeboat Station is located on the grounds of Lough Derg Yacht Club…
Robot Submarine to be Used in Joint Exercise off Cork Coast
A major marine search and recovery exercise co-ordinated by the Irish Coast Guard will to take place off the Cork coastline this week from 12-15 July 2010 it was announced today. The exercise, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, the Commissioner…
Lifeboat Towing Yacht to Ballycotton Harbour
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched this evening at 17:15 to lend assistance to a 31 ft. yacht who sought assistance 4 miles east of Ballycotton in East Cork. The lifeboat arrived on-scene and established a towline at 17:50. The Irish registered…
Overdue Divers Rescued by Coastguard Helicopter
A search took place this afternoon on the Irish Sea for two missing divers, who had not resurfaced, off the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. Liverpool Coastguard received a '999' call at 12:30 pm from the dive boat informing them of…
No Direct Cause Found for Loss of Fishing Vessel
An investigation into the sinking of the FV "Strath Marie" off Inishowen Head, Co. Donegal on 14th March 2008 has found no direct cause for the loss of both lives. The FV "Strath Marie" left Bunagee Pier, Culdaff, Co. Donegal to lift…
Report Finds 'Several Poor Decisions' Led to Vessel Capsize
A Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the death of Mr. Alain Adler after the six metre boat in he which he travelling capsized from a pier in West Cork in 2008 has found there was no single cause…
Warning To The Public - Air Corps Firing Exercises
Air Corps firing exercises and Air Defence artillery firing exercises on Tuesday 27th July 2010  From 0900hrs to 1800hrs At Gormanstown, Co. Meath it is dangerous for persons, shipping, livestock or aircraft etc. to be within the danger area while…
Fenit RNLI Launch to Assist Stricken Catamaran With Two Onboard
At 5.45pm yesterday evening Monday July 5th, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat launched to assist a 40 foot Catamaran which was taking on water. The vessel which had left Donegal en route to France was 20 miles west of Loop Head and…
iPhone Co-Ordinates Save Stricken Vessel
A stricken vessel was located in trouble on Lough Erne using lat/long data from an iPhone.  A 999 call from the Motor Cruiser ‘Wee Rascal’ on Lough Erne in the early hours of this morning called on all the investigative…
Lost Vessel Saved From Lough Erne Rocks
A 999 call from the Motor Cruiser ‘Wee Rascal’ on Lough Erne in the early hours of this morning called on all the investigative powers of Belfast Coastguard as the vessel wasn’t even close to its reported position. The vessel…
Helicopter Crew Commended For Dramatic Air-Sea Rescue
The crew of an emergency search and rescue helicopter has been awarded the Best of Irish Award for rescuing a stricken pilot when his light aircraft crashed into the Irish Sea. The six-strong crew of R117, employed by CHC Helicopter…
Pwllheli RNLI Lifeboat Assists Yacht Bound for Cork
Pwllheli's RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched on Monday evening to assist a yacht which was drifting towards the shore. The 37ft vessel with two people on board suffered engine failure around a mile south of the town and an…
The Summer Holidays are Nearly Here - Have Fun and Stay Safe at the Seaside
The Summer Holidays are nearly here - have fun and stay safe at the seaside With the school holidays fast approaching, NI Coastguards are encouraging children to stay safe whilst at the beach and along the coast. Last month, Northern…

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.