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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Members of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, at the official opening of its new base extension and open day to mark the occasion. Kerry Mountain Rescue base is situated on the grounds of Killarney Garda Station
Irish Coast Guard funding has contributed to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team’s (KMRT) new base extension in Killarney. The extension opened last week will provide much needed space for equipment drying, vehicle and equipment storage, training and toilet facilities. Many long-serving…
File image of Dunmore East’s all-weather lifeboat, flanked by the inshore lifeboat
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), the Community Rescue Boats of Ireland (CRBI) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provide declared search and rescue (SAR) services to the IRCG operating as the maritime SAR coordinator. The Irish Coast Guard provides…
Former Irish Lights Mariner Capt Harry McClenahan
Satellite navigation systems such as GPS can be switched off at any point, and “we are closer to it now than ever”, Captain Harry McClenahan says. The recently retired master mariner with the Commissioners of Irish Lights says that lighthouses…
The first AW189 Helicopter in New Coast Guard Fleet arrived at Weston Airport. Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Coast Guard, James Lawless, welcomed the arrival into Weston Airport of the first AW189 helicopter in the Irish Coast Guard’s new aircraft fleet in August. The photo shows the Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Coast Guard, James Lawless with Ms Joanna Cullen Assistant Secretary, Irish Coast Guard and Micheal O’ Toole Director for the Irish Coast Guard
Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter contractor CHC Ireland has settled its legal action against Bristow Ireland. However, the company’s separate legal action against the Minister and Department of Transport over awarding the new Irish Coast Guard contract to…
Galway RNLI volunteer crew Mike Swan and Joanne Casserly putting up the poster for the lifeboat station open day
The volunteer crew based in the RNLI lifeboat station at the New Docks in Galway will open their doors this Saturday 28 September from noon to 4pm and everyone is welcome. This will be the first open day at the…
The Galway Docklands Festival programme includes Galway Hooker workshop visits, where guests can explore the rich history of the traditional craft and see one under restoration
The annual Galway Docklands Festival will mark the RNLI’s 200 years of lifeboat service during its event next weekend. Galway Hooker Sailing Club and the Galway RNLI lifeboat station are hosting the festival on Saturday, September 28th, from 12 noon…
Former Irish Coast Guard station officer Dara O’Malley-Daly
Tributes have been paid to former Irish Coast Guard station officer Dara O’Malley-Daly, who has died after a short illness at the age of 63. As The Sunday Independent reports, the Malin Head Coast Guard station officer in Donegal combined…
File image of Galway RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Galway RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard on Friday afternoon (20 September) to rescue a walker on Hare Island who was cut off by the incoming tide. The crew of Brian Niland, Martin Oliver…
Courtmacsherry RNLI’s crew after the Thursday night call-out
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 7pm on Thursday evening (19 September) to assist in the rescue of a walker cut off by an oncoming high tide. The distress call was raised by a member of…
File image of Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Bundoran RNLI came to the aid of two jet skiers who got into difficulty at Tullan Strand on Thursday evening (19 August). The casualties were out enjoying the good weather when they broke down outside the surf in a 1-2m…
Claire Callanan, chair of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB)
Failure to follow “basic safety recommendations” such as wearing a life jacket is still an issue in incidents at sea, the chair of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has said. In the MCIB’s 2023 annual report, its chair Claire…
RNLI coastal trainer Sean Ginnelly with Fenit RNLI volunteer crew member Padraig Brick and Cian Lawless
Volunteers at Fenit RNLI were involved in a call-out on Tuesday night (17 September) to two swimmers in difficulty at Little Samphire Lighthouse near Fenit Pier. Lifeboat volunteers were on a training exercise at sea when the call was received…
Joe Healy is the new Lifeboat Operations Manager at Wicklow RNLI
Wicklow RNLI is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Healy as the new Lifeboat Operations Manager following the retirement of Mary Aldridge. As operations manager, Joe will be responsible for authorising the launch of the station’s two lifeboats and…
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Ireland's biggest boating centre
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, has today (17 September 2024) launched a revised and updated edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft. The publication of the new Code of…
Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew
The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew was tasked with assisting seven people on board three boats that ran aground on Sunday, September 15. The return of good weather this past weekend saw additional activity on Lough Ree. It proved…
Portaferry RNLI volunteers launch the inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V
Portaferry RNLI were paged by Belfast Coastguard just after midnight on Friday night (13 September) to assist two people onboard a fishing vessel which had run aground close to the entrance of Ardglass Harbour on Northern Ireland’s east coast. The…

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.