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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Clifden RNLI volunteers with their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
A three-month-old baby was among a family of six rescued by Clifden RNLI in western Connemara on Thursday evening (9 May). The volunteer crew were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 6.15pm to assist a group who were cut…
The RNLI station at Clogherhead now has a state-of-the-art Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, the ‘Michael O’Brien’, which arrived in 2019. It serves the north-east coast sometimes in collaboration with its sister stations in Skerries and Kilkeel and often with the Coast Guard land and air facilities and the Garda
The Clogherhead RNLI station in County Louth is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, marking over a century of dedicated service to saving lives at sea. Established in 1899 under the auspices of the RNLI, the station was built with…
File image of Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Enniskillen RNLI came to aid of two people on Tuesday (7 May) after their boat ran aground near Belleek, Co Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat, the John and Jean Lewis, at 2.30pm following a…
Mark Gannon, coxswain with RNLI Courtmacsherry
RNLI coxswain Mark Gannon with West Cork’s Courtmacsherry lifeboat was on a call out in December 1981 when he and his crew heard over the radio about the Penlee lifeboat disaster - when an entire lifeboat crew was lost off…
A Fethard RNLI Lifeboat crewman rescues the sheep on the Waterford Estuary
In a dramatic rescue operation, a sheep fell from a ledge in the Waterford Estuary and was saved from being engulfed by the rising tide. The incident occurred on Wednesday, prompting the Irish Coast Guard to dispatch the volunteer lifeboat…
Gill McIlmoyle, a former bank manager from Portstewart, joined the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraising team in 2021
Applications are now open to become one of the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraisers along the Causeway Coast in Antrim, and in counties Down and Dublin. This vital role helps the lifesaving charity reach thousands of people every year, sharing safety messages…
RNLI trustee and coxswain Paddy McLaughlin (centre) receives the Ireland Medal with Dunmore East RNLI volunteer Peter Grogan (left) and head of water safety Gareth Morrison
RNLI trustee and Red Bay lifeboat coxswain Paddy McLaughlin has been presented with the Lifesaving Foundation’s Ireland Medal in recognition of his outstanding work in saving lives from drowning. The medal was presented by Commodore Micheal Malone, Flag Officer Commanding…
File image of Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Youghal RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers in East Cork launched twice over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to join the rescue efforts for a boat aground on rocks and a kayaker in difficulty. Late on Saturday afternoon (4 May) the crew were…
Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spier as seen from the bow of the 28ft cruiser it took under tow on Sunday 5 May
Lough Derg RNLI launched on Sunday afternoon (5 May) to assist a family of four on board a 28ft cruiser reported to be on fire. Following the request by Valentia Coast Guard just before noon, the inshore lifeboat Jean Spier…
Carrybridge RNLI Inshore Lifeboat on Lough Erne
Carrybridge RNLI Inshore Lifeboat on Lough Erne came to the rescue of two people on a 40-foot vessel that was taking on water near the Killyhevlin Hotel on Saturday, May 4. The Belfast Coastguard had requested the launch of the…
The broken down powerboat in tow astern of the Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat Austin Lidbury
Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat The Austin Lidbury was called to action off the Cork coast on Saturday, May 4th, following a request for assistance from the crew of a 24ft power boat that had suffered mechanical failure. The boat was on…
The Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury
The Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat was called to action on Friday 3 May, after a power boat suffered engine failure just south of Ballycotton Island. The Austin Lidbury was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard at 5.11pm, following a request…
Coastguard Rescue 116 lowered a winchman to assess the situation and observed that all six individuals were in good health and wearing lifejackets
A family of six was rescued by the Howth RNLI, a volunteer crew, after their powerboat suffered engine failure and ended up on rocks at Lambay Island, off the north Dublin coast on Friday 3 May. The Dublin Coast Guard…
Many people will be taking vessels to the water for the first time this year so this is a good time to think about checking your equipment, especially your lifejacket so that it is fit for purpose
Ahead of the May holiday weekend, Water Safety Ireland, the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI are jointly appealing to people to be safe and summer-ready when planning an activity on or near the water. The organisations are urging people…
MCIB logo
The Department of Transport has issued a reminder to fishing vessel owners, skippers and crew of the safety requirements for the use of cranes and other lifting equipment on deck. In comes after a recent Marine Casualty Invesigation Board (MCIB)…
Yachts and dinghies participating in the annual Cong to Galway race
Crossroads Community Centre in Cong in County Mayo will be the venue for a boating safety event on Wednesday, 8th May, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The free event, organised by Safe Water Training, is open to all and…

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.