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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
The lifeboats between them searched a huge area  off the Northern Ireland coastline before standing down the search after 4am.
Five RNLI lifeboats were launched last night from Larne and Red Bay in Northern Ireland and Portpatrick in Scotland to take part in an extensive search for a missing microlight aircraft. The craft is understood to have two people onboard…
The French yacht is picked up by the Courtmacsherry lifeboat
The Courtmacsherry RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was called out at 9.05 pm tonight to go to the aid of a 35–ft French yacht that got into difficulty one mile off the Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork. The Courtmacsherry…
Castletownbere RNLI have rescued two fishermen from this sinking boat on the Beara peninsula
Castletownbere RNLI rescued two fishermen from a sinking vessel in the early hours of this morning. The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 4.45am to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel which was reported sinking…
The RNLI launches its Respect the Water campaign today. Please see attached News Release: RNLI Respect the Water campaign targets accidental drowning along the coast as 23 people a year lose their lives
The RNLI today launches its annual national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, and this year the charity is warning the public to watch out for key dangers that can catch people out in or near water. The campaign which…
Larne RNLI inshore lifeboat located the three divers at 6.50pm on a cliff face north of The Gobbins
Volunteer lifeboat crew at Larne RNLI responded to a launch request from the UK Coastguard yesterday evening to help search for three overdue divers near Blackhead Lighthouse. The initial alarm was raised at 5.30pm to report three divers who were…
Bangor Lifeboat Launches To Rescue Woman After Coastal Path Fall
#RNLI - Bangor RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were called out yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 7 June) to assist in the rescue a woman who had fallen from the coastal path at Ballyholme Esplanade onto the rocky beach below. The woman is…
Ballycotton RNLI taking the disabled yacht under tow
#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI was launched around 6pm yesterday (Sunday 5 June) to a yacht in difficulty 10 miles off the East Cork coastal village. The 50ft yacht, carrying four people on board, got into difficulty when its propeller became…
Lough Ree RNLI on exercise
#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI is holding an open day at the lifeboat station at Coosan Point next Saturday 11 June from 12 noon to 4pm. All are welcome on the day to meet the crew, tour the station, see…
Rescue 115 launched from Shannon early this morning to airlift a cliff fall casualty
#CliffFall - Independent.ie reports that a 23-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after falling 40ft into the sea from a cliff near Lahinch early this morning (Sunday 5 June). Shannon's Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 launched to the scene after…
Lough Derg RNLI rescued nine people from a cruiser this afternoon
At 1.45pm today, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, following a request for assistance from a cruiser with 9 people on board, which had grounded on rocks by Ryan's Point. The lifeboat, with helm…
Lobster Pot Fishermen Reminded of Obligation to Other 'Users of the Sea'
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has received reports of vessels’ propellers becoming entangled in ropes of Marker Buoys used to indicate the position of pots used for fishing Lobster, Crab, or other fish or shellfish. This can occur…
Newcastle Lifeboat Launches In Leisure Craft Breakdown
#RNLI - Newcastle RNLI brought two people to safety on Wednesday evening (1 June) after they got into difficulty off the Dundrum coast in Co Down. The volunteer lifeboat crew was alerted shortly before 8pm following a request by Belfast…
Swimming is prohibited at infrastructure such as locks such as this on the Royal Canal near Kinnegad
#WaterSafety - Waterways Ireland has echoed the recent advice over the dangers of the water during the current warm spell across Ireland. The latest marine notice from the management body for Ireland's inland navigations warns the public on the dangers…
A CCTV image of Jillian before picking up its final passengers from Kilmore Quay
#MCIB - The lack of a handheld VHF radio or float-free EPIRB potentially delayed the rescue of passengers from a capsized vessel off the Saltee Islands last August. One man died by drowning but nine others were rescued after a…
Coast Guard, RNLI & Irish Water Safety Issue Caution
The Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI and Irish Water Safety advise caution to those engaged in recreational activities in or near water during the current spell of good weather and throughout the summer months. There has been a significant rise…
Lough Derg RNLI carry out an alongside tow of a motorboat grounded at Kylenoe Rocks last night
Lough Derg RNLI launched following a report of a vessel aground at Kylenoe Rocks at the north-eastern end of Lough Derg last night. At 7.01pm last night Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, following…

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.