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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Wicklow Lifeboat Assists Whelk Trawler In Morning Callout
#RNLI - Wicklow's all-weather lifeboat Annie Blaker launched at 7.30am yesterday morning (Saturday 3 September) to assist a fishing vessel four miles offshore. The RNLI lifeboat, under the command of coxswain Nick Keogh, was alongside the stricken vessel 18 minutes…
Youghal's new lifeboat, an Atlantic 85 is the latest version of the B class
A new Atlantic 85 lifeboat for Youghal RNLI is to be officially named Gordon and Phil during a ceremony at the lifeboat station in the Cork seaside resort town at 1pm on Saturday 10 September. The lifeboat which went on…
Crosshaven Atlantic 85 RNLI Lifeboat
A new Atlantic 85 lifeboat for Crosshaven RNLI is to be officially named John and Janet during a ceremony at the Cork lifeboat station at 2pm on Sunday 11 September. The lifeboat which went on service in June this year…
The tsunameter being deployed near the M4 buoy
#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that marine scientists from the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) are deploying a tsunameter close to the new location of the M4 weather…
FV Oileán an Óir
#MCIB - Two fishing crew died after exposure to toxic gases that were not detected within their trawler's refrigeration system, according to the official findings on the incident in Killybegs a year ago. The new report from the Maritime Casualty…
Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat in Cork Harbour was requested to launch yesterday evening at 9.45pm
Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat in Cork Harbour was requested to launch yesterday evening at 9.45pm to reports of a speedboat broken down and adrift approximately one km south west of Trabolgan. In calm conditions with a slight sea,the volunteer crew, under the command…
Donaghadee RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Saxon tows a RIB to safety  from the North Channel
#RNLI - Donaghadee RNLI was called upon three times in the last week to assist vessels which got into difficulties off the coast of North Down. The first callout was on Thursday 25 August after a yacht with five people…
Clifden RNLI rescued six people in two separate call outs
Clifden RNLI rescued six people in two separate call outs off the Connemara coast last week. On Friday afternoon, the volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather and inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboats following a report that two…
Lough Swilly RNLI rescue a distressed sheep after 200ft cliff fall
Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboat rescued a sheep this afternoon after it fell approximately 200 feet from a cliff in County Donegal. The alarm was raised at 4.30pm today when three local fishermen spotted the animal stranded on a ledge in…
Ballycotton RNLI's all-weather lifeboat
#RNLI - Ballycotton RNLI came to the rescue of an injured fisherman who got his hand cut when attempting to untangle a net this morning (Friday 26 August). The volunteer crew launched their all-weather and inshore lifeboats at 8.30am after…
Geraldine Donnelly visits her rescuers at Bangor RNLI
#RNLI - Geraldine Donnelly paid a visit to Bangor RNLI earlier today (Thursday 25 August) just weeks after her rescue following a serious fall on Ballyholme beach. On 7 June last, Donnelly fell more than two metres onto rocks and…
Lough Derg lifeboat set a route south, in the direction from which the calls were heard
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat launched at 5.20am, following reports to Gardaí of calls for help coming in off the lake. At 05.06am this morning, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch by Valentia Coast Guard, following a report to…
Fethard RNLI's inshore lifeboat
#RNLI - Fethard RNLI assisted a man who got into difficulty off the Wexford coast yesterday evening (Tuesday 23 August) as he attempted to move between two boats. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 9.35pm following a…
Portbraddon in North Antrim
#Rescue - Coastguard teams from Ballycastle and Coleraine were joined by Portrush RNLI in the rescue of a father and son who were cut off by the tide while fishing on the North Antrim coast at the weekend. As the…
Donaghadee RNLI launch to the rescue at 25 knots
#RNLI - Donaghadee’s RNLI lifeboat Saxon put to sea three times in 24 hours during a busy weekend keeping aircraft passengers and pleasure sailors safe around the North Down coast. The first call came at 5.30pm on Friday (19 August)…
Lough Ree RNLI on exercise
#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew had one of their busiest periods ever in the last week, receiving a total of seven callouts over five days to assist people on and around Lough Ree. The first callout came…

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.