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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Three Missing After Fishing Vessel Sinks Off Scotland's Western Isles
#Search - One crew member from a fishing vessel has been rescued as the search continues for three others after the boat sank off Scotland's Western Isles in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 9 April). The UK Coastguard…
Sligo Bay RNLI's new Atlantic 85 Sheila & Dennis Tongue
#RNLI - The new Sligo Bay RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat is to be officially named Sheila & Dennis Tongue during a ceremony at the lifeboat station at Rosses Point in Sligo next Saturday 16 April 2016 at 3pm. The lifeboat…
Fethard RNLI hopes to raise €65,000 towards the cost of a new D class lifeboat like this one at Littlehampton, West Sussex
#RNLI - Four local towns went head-to-head at a recent quiz night in a bid to raise funds for Fethard RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat appeal. Some 62 tables took on the challenge in four venues in Fethard on-Sea, Duncannon, Campile…
RNLI Lifeguards in Northern Ireland roll out educations programmes
#Lifeguards - RNLI lifeguards are hitting the surf again and bringing their popular beach safety programmes to school children and youth groups in Northern Ireland. Hundreds of children have already been through the programmes and learned valuable and important advice…
Air defence shoot
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised by the Defence Forces that they will conduct an Air Defence Shoot at Gormanston Ranges on the following dates; Range active: 7th and 8th April 2016 Time: 10:00 to 12:00 Hours…
Bangor Marina
#Rescue - Belfast Coastguard was "stuck for words" after bystanders failed to raise the alarm for an elderly man who fell into the water at Bangor Marina this week. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the man was working on his…
Marine Notice: Seabed Mapping Operations Off West Coast
#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that V.Ships Ltd will be carrying out seabed mapping operations off the West Coast of Ireland. The work started today (Saturday 2 April) and…
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI were last night requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to reports of a person in the water at the pier in Donegal Town. Following a 999 call from some passers by, the…
Lough Ree RNLI's lifeboat in action
#RNLI - The volunteer lifeboat crew with Lough Ree RNLI were called out twice in 24 hours to assist grounded vessels in the Wood Shoal area. Thankfully there were no injuries any of those on board across both vessels, but…
Bangor RNLI
#RNLI - Bangor RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to help two fishermen on a 17ft motorboat with engine failure. Although conditions were calm and the crew were in no immediate danger, the westerly wind was extremely…
Rosslare RNLI on exercise
#RNLI - Rosslare Harbour RNLI's volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 2am this morning (Wednesday 30 March) on request by the Irish Coast Guard to attend an injured man who was working on the Tuskar Rock lighthouse. Once on…
One of the Irish Coast Guard's four Sikorsky S-92 long-range SAR helicopters
#Coastguard - Profits at the contractor providing Ireland's coastguard helicopter service are nearly eight times greater than in 2014, as the Irish Independent reports. CHC Ireland, a subsidiary of the Canadian helicopter services giant, says its turnover jumped by 24%…
RNLI parade past the GPO as part of the 1916 Rising Commemorations in Dublin
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from across Ireland took part in today’s Easter 1916 centenary commemoration which saw over seven hundred members of the Irish emergency services taking part in the biggest parade in the history of the state. The fifty…
Marine Notice: Deployment Of Scientific Moorings At Goban Spur
#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and the University of Bremen will deploy three scientific deep-sea moorings at Goban Spur off…
RNLI Lifeguards to Patrol Five Beaches on the Causeway Coast at Easter
RNLI lifeguards will patrol five beaches on the Causeway Coast during this year’s Easter holidays. Starting on Good Friday, lifeguards will be operating from Beach Lifeguard Units on Benone Strand, Portstewart Strand, East and West Strands in Portrush and Whiterocks.…
Lough Swilly RNLI Extend their Sympathies to the Bereaved Following the Tragedy at Buncrana Pier
The volunteer lifeboat crew and station management at Lough Swilly RNLI wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the five people who lost their lives following the events at Buncrana Pier on Sunday night…

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.