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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Castlemartyr Resort Presents Cheque to Ballycotton Lifeboat
Castlemartyr Resort has donated 700 Euro to Ballycotton Lifeboat from money raised at a local fair. The 5 Star hotel was invited to take part in the recent Midleton Food Fair. They served food to the adults and had a…
Lone Sailor Rescued in Irish Sea
At ten minutes past seven this morning, Swansea Coastguard received a call from a man out walking on the coast with his dog.  The man informed the Coastguard that he could see a yacht drifting out to sea, with torn…
Five Saved from Fishing Vessel Fire on Belfast Lough
Five people were rescued from the waters just outside Belfast harbour this afternoon after a fishing vessel caught fire. The vessel 'Amity' reported the fire on board the 'Bellatrix' after picking five people up from water. The crew of the ‘Amity’…
Two Rescued After Motor Vessel Dashed on Rocks
At just after 11am this morning, Holyhead Coast Guard on the Irish Sea were alerted by a mobile phone call from the skipper of a small 27–foot red hulled commercial motor vessel called ‘Jean M’ that was being dashed against…
Water Safety Body Warns on Weather
With gales, changeable and inclement weather expected over the weekend, Irish Water Safety is reminding boaters of the importance of taking a good weather forecast and to factor this in to their plans accordingly. In addition we wish to remind…
Small Norwegian Coaster Drifting off Mull of Kintyre
A small Norwegian coaster is drifting in the Mull of Kintyre after losing engine power earlier this evening.The skipper of the small cargo vessel ‘Fame’, called Clyde Coastguard on channel 16 at 7:20pm requesting towage. The vessel had four people…
Warning over Safety Standards on Boats
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has warned that safety standards on fishing boats and leisure craft – particularly Jet Skis– must be improved. The warning came in the publication of the Board's annual report published last week. In it…
Lifeboat Station Gives Thanks
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station will hold its annual Service of Thanksgiving for members of the emergency services on Sunday next, 11 October. This annual ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving will be held in the Star of the Sea Church, Ballycotton, at…
Four Youths Rescued off Liverpool
Action on the far side of the Irish Sea this afternoon as Liverpool Coastguard have been co-ordinated the rescue of four people from a small vessel ‘Valerie’ which contacted the marine emergency service at 4.20pm. The small 12 foot petrol…
Kite-surfers rescued off Dollymount Strand
Dun Laoghaire's Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was called to assist two kite-surfers off Dollymount Strand on Friday (September 25th). The incident occurred shortly before 3pm when a novice kite-surfer lost control and started to be carried away from the beach by…
Elderly Kayakers Rescued
Last night Milford Haven Coastguard on the far side of the Irish Sea received an emergency call alerting them to two missing kayakers. The married couple in their late 60s and early seventies, who live in Crosswell, had departed from…
Three Women Rescued from Dinghy
Belfast Coastguard received a report yesterday afternoon that a small dinghy with three women onboard had been blown a mile out to sea by a strong offshore wind from Cloughey on the Ards Peninsula. Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of…
Lifeboats Record Increase in Summer Launches
Preliminary figures* for summer 2009, issued today (Friday 25 Sept) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), show the charity's lifeboats had one of their busiest summer holiday seasons. The figures show a 12 per cent increase in Irish lifeboat…
Divers Found After Air, Land and Sea Search
Two divers who went missing near Fishguard this afternoon have just been found after a major air land and sea search which lasted nearly three hours. The two 50 year old men had been diving on a world war II…
Ballycotton Lifeboat launched to Assist Fishing Vessel
Cork's Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched at 18:15 tonight in response to a call for assistance. from an Irish registered fishing vessel, with two persons aboard. The vessel reported mechanical difficulties 12.5 miles south of Ballycotton. The lifeboat reached…
Lough Derg Lifeboat Rescues Two
At 21.00hrs on Saturday 19 September, the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Vera Skilton brought two persons and their dog to safety after their vessel went aground on Sunk Island, just north of Illaunmore on Lough Derg. The lifeboat launched following…

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.