Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Boy Drowns in Liffey, Diver Treated for Bends
Gardaí have confirmed that a 14-year-old boy drowned in the River Liffey near Clane, Co Kildare on Saturday. According to The Irish Times, it is believed the accident occurred while the teen was playing in the river with friends. His…
Stranded Walker Rescued by RNLI's New Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat
A man walking on Sandymount beach on Dublin Bay yesterday evening had a lucky escape when he became cut-off by the incoming tide and was rescued by the new RNLI inshore lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire. The incident occurred shortly after…
False Alarm for Kitesurfer 'Pulled Out to Sea'
A number of local Search and Rescue Units were involved in the search for a Kite Surfer who was seen being pulled out to sea approximately 3 miles off Balaggan Point, Co Louth yesterday, according to SAR Ireland. Full CH…
Baltimore Lifeboat Rescues Man Overboard
The rapid response of the RNLI Baltimore inshore lifeboat averted catastrophe at sea today, when a young fishermen fell overboard 11 miles south of Baltimore harbour. Valentia Coast Guard alerted the Baltimore lifeboat station at 12:43pm and both the inshore…
Terry Johnson Recognised for his Work with RNLI Ireland
Terence Johnson was made a Life Governor of Irish Water Safety to day at the Westbury Hotel, Dublin in due recognition of his work as Chairman of the Irish Management Committee of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The Government Chief…
Lifeboat and Helicopter Discover 'Upturned Hull' is Yacht Racing Mark
Skerries RNLI Lifeboat was tasked last night at 8pm to reports of an upturned hull in the water off Donabate Co Dublin. The lifeboat was launched within six minutes and with the help of the Coast Guard Helicopter "Rescue 116"…
Safety Notice Issued after Winch Accident
Sailing winch manufacturer Lewmar have issued a safety notice following an accident aboard a 2006 Amel 54 in Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua while carrying out the lifting operation of a crew member using a self-tailing winch. Currently an investigation is…
'Grave Consequences' If UK Coastguard Stations Close Says Union
Union leaders and seafarers have spoken out over the proposed closure of coastguard stations across the UK as a parliamentary committee begins its inquiry into the cutbacks. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/coastguard/ Northern Ireland's only full-time search and rescue centre at Bangor is one…
Body of Fisherman Found in Castletownbere
The body of a fisherman reported missing from a trawler at Castletownbere, Co Cork yesterday morning has been recovered. Local divers teamed with the Castletownbere Lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard for a search that ended around 1.30pm when the…
Howth Lifeboat Assists Speedboat Captured on Video
On Sunday night, Howth Inshore Lifeboat assisted two people aground in a five metre speedboat North of Malahide estuary in Co. Dublin. Scroll down for the three minute RNLI video of the rescue. In a joint operation in March, Howth…
Dun Laoghaire RNLI Station Names New D Class Lifeboat
One of the buisest RNLI lifeboat Stations in the country names its new D class Lifeboat 'Realt na Mara' next Saturday, April 30th. The Dublin Bay based Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station was in action as recently as Sunday 17 April…
Red Bay RNLI Station Name New Atlantic 85 Lifeboat
Red Bay RNLI lifeboat Station names its new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat the 'Geoffrey Charles' next month on Saturday, May 28th. The busy lifeboat station was in action as recently as Sunday 17 April 2011 when RNLI lifeboat volunteers saved two…
Dublin Bay Mudflat Rescue Caught on Video
A Dubliner had a lucky escape after being stranded on mudflats between Baldoyle and Sutton Point, on Dublin Bay last week.The man had sunk waist-deep in mud on a low tide and was unable to free himself. Dublin Fire Brigade…
11 Kayakers Rescued by Portrush Lifeboat
Belfast Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting a group of kayakers in difficulty at lunch time yesterday. The callers stated that they could see a group of twelve kayakers in difficulty off Portballintrae, Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland. Belfast Coastguard called…
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Rescues Four as Speedboat Hits Rocks
Four people were rescued by the Dun Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat earlier today when their small powerboat hit rocks off Killiney Beach in south county Dublin. Nobody was injured in the incident that occurred shortly after 11am while the two men…
Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Swimmer
A female swimmer was rescued from the sea at Bundoran, Co. Donegal by Bundoran RNLI lifeboat yesterday afternoon. The alarm was raised by a member of the public before 4.00pm. The swimmer was aided by another person in the water…

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.