Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
MCIB Report into Kayaking Incident Last Year off Dalkey Critical of Organisational Factors
29th October 2021 MCIB
An investigation into an incident where a party of 15 kayakers encountered difficulties during a round trip from Bulloch harbour to Dalkey island on Dublin Bay last September has found that “disregard for Met Éireann forecasts” contributed to a decision…
An independent Association has been established to represent the concerns of Irish Coast Guard (“IRCG”) Volunteers. As Afloat reported previously, the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers Representative Association (“ICGVRA”), consisting of existing and former IRCG volunteers, was launched in Kilkee over…
Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Three on Fishing Boat With Engine Failure
28th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched on Tuesday afternoon (26 October) to assess a fishing boat with three people on board, which had broken down around a mile northeast of Knockninny on Upper Lough Erne.…
Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Five on Cruiser in Difficulty in Severe Weather
27th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Lough Derg RNLI were tasked last night (Tuesday 26 October) to assist five people on a 48ft cruiser at anchor near the Benjamin Rocks on the Co Clare shore. At 11.10pm the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Ger…
Back-to-Back Callouts for Skerries Lifeboat at October Bank Holiday Weekend
27th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Skerries RNLI responded to two calls for help, one immediately after the other on Sunday afternoon (24 October) afternoon, responding to three kayakers in difficulty near Portrane and then two sailors in difficulty near Laytown. Shortly after 2pm, Dublin Coast…
Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat crew brought a man to safety after his kayak capsized in choppy waters off Wicklow Head yesterday afternoon (Monday 25 October). The kayaker was spotted by members of the public, who contacted the Coast Guard. The…
Three Larne RNLI Fundraisers Recognised for Combined 70 Years of Volunteer Service
26th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Three members of Larne RNLI’s fundraising committee, who between them have volunteered for a combined 70 years, have been awarded with long-service medals recognising their contribution to saving lives at sea in Northern Ireland. Pamela McAuley, Esther Dorman and Stephen…
Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide assistance to a windsurfer in difficulty in Baltimore harbour, West Cork yesterday evening (Monday, 25 October). The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 6.30pm following a request from the Irish Coast…
RNLI Lifesavers From Portrush to Feature in TV’s Saving Lives at Sea
25th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Following previous appearances by Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Harbour RNLI, the volunteer lifeboat crew in Portrush will be taking to the small screen next Tuesday 2 November as they feature in the 10th and final episode of this…
Report of Possible Upturned Vessel Prompts Ballycotton Lifeboat Launch
25th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather Trent class lifeboat Austin Lidbury was called out by Valentia Coast Guard to a report from a passing yacht of a possible upturned boat south of Nohaval. Conditions were fresh with Force 6-7 south-westerly winds and clear…
Portrush Lifeboat Crew Rush Out of Book Launch to Reports of Paddle Boarder in Difficulty
24th October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Portrush RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers dashed out of a book launch to a very different kind of launch yesterday afternoon (Saturday 23 October) following reports of two paddle boarders in difficulty some 600 metres off Portstewart Strand on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.…
Fethard RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat on Friday afternoon last (22 October) to conduct a sea search. A concerned member of the public out kayaking reported seeing a body like object floating in the sea off Baginbun Beach in County…
Coxswain’s Son Buys Old Clifden Lifeboat After Hearing Dad’s Rescue Stories
23rd October 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
A dad’s passion for the old Clifden RNLI lifeboat he served on has passed to the next generation as his son has purchased the first lifeboat his father helmed in 1996. James Mullen, a coxswain at Clifden RNLI in Co…
At their recent ‘Family Day’ on Sunday 3 October, Lough Derg RNLI volunteers took the opportunity to acknowledge the years of dedication of former helm Peter Clarke and lifeboat operations manager Liam Maloney. The COVID guidelines-compliant luncheon at Larkins Restaurant…
Rescue 116: Eamon Ryan to Cover "Reasonable" Review Board Legal Expenses Incurred by Families of Air Crew
21st October 2021 Coastguard
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said his department will cover “reasonable legal expenses” incurred by the families of the four Rescue 116 air crew who died off North Mayo in relation to a review of the draft final Air…
Safer Waters Charity Provides Safety Cover for Recreational Water Users in Northern Ireland
19th October 2021 Belfast Lough
Last year Mike Meharg, George King and Allan Black set up Safer Waters, now a registered charity and not-for-profit provider of voluntary safety cover and training for recreational water users in Northern Ireland. It is a recognised RYA Training Centre…
