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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Atlantic_85_lifeboat
The RNLI have announced the replacement of the Crosshaven Atlantic 75 class lifeboat “Miss Betty” with the newer and improved Atlantic 85 Class of lifeboat. The new lifeboat is 8.5 metres long with extra load carrying space for stretchers and the…
#Coastguard - Crosshaven Coast Guard were joined by Waterford's SAR helicopter and the local RNLI in the rescue of a man trapped on rocks by the rising tide under a well-known seaside pub in Co Cork last night (Friday 15…
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has advise it has been informed that Kannad Marine, the manufacturer of Kannad SAFELINK EPIRBS, have issued a Global Recall Safety Notice of the following affected EPIRB units: Part No.’s Affected Description Date…
Northern Ireland may be in the depth of winter but the RNLI has already begun its search for new lifeguards to patrol its 10 beaches this summer. The RNLI today launched its 'Best Summer Job' campaign by opening beach lifeguard…
Skerries RNLI volunteers with Mollie the dog
#RNLI - Following the dramatic rescue of a dog who fell from sea cliffs on Howth Head at the weekend comes news from Skerries of another pooch stranded off the shore by high tide yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 12 January). Mollie,…
Waterways Ireland continues to advise caution while extensive flooding continues across all navigations. Advice has also been issued by ESB networks in relation to available clearance under overhead or sunken electricity cables. ESB Networks is warning members of the public…
#RNLI - Portrush RNLI had their first two callouts of 2016 in quick succession yesterday today (Sunday 10 January). The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was first launched around 2.30pm following reports of kayakers in difficulty at Kinnego Bay in Donegal. The…
Clifton RNLI attending the stranded van on Omey Island
#RNLI - Clifden RNLI's inshore lifeboat Granuaile launched yesterday afternoon (Saturday 9 January) to assist a walker and her six dogs who had been stranded on Omey Island on the Connemara coast by the rapidly incoming tide. The popular walking…
#RNLI - Dunmore East RNLI launched on Friday (8 January) to assist a 50ft fishing vessel with five people on board. The vessel suffered engine failure eight miles from Dunmore East Harbour. Just before 5pm the volunteer lifeboat crew at…
Kilmore Quay RNLI assisting the 13m steel trawler
#RNLI - Kilmore Quay RNLI assisted four fishermen to safety in the early hours of this morning (Friday 8 January) after they feared their vessel was in danger from taking on water. The volunteer crew was requested to launch their…
#AnimalRescue - Northern Ireland coastguard teams raced to the aid of a dog trapped on a cliff ledge in Co Down earlier this week. As the Belfast Telegraph reports, eight coastguard volunteers fought their way across boggy ground to reach…
SEARCH & RESCUE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN HOWTH AREA

SEARCH & RESCUE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN HOWTH AREAWe are an entirely volunteer unit of the Irish Coast Guard, based on the West Pier in Howth Harbour. Every year, our team of 25 male & female volunteers respond to over 80 emergency 112/999 calls on the cliffs & coast of North Dublin.We are currently interviewing to fill trainee positions as Cliff Rescue Climbers, Coastal Search, and Boat Crew. No experience is necessary. All training, certifications, and the required personal equipment is provided.Volunteers are expected to live within minutes of Howth, carry a pager 24/7 to be available for callouts, and attend weekly training. We are seeking long-term commitments and a considerable amount of your time.For more information, email [email protected]before applications close

Posted by Howth Coast Guard on Thursday, 10 December 2015
The Irish Coast Guard Unit based on the West Pier in Howth Harbour is looking for volunteers.  The Unit is interviewing to fill trainee positions as Cliff Rescue Climbers, Coastal Search and Boat Crew. No experience is necessary. All training,…
happy_socks
Castletownbere RNLI has recovered a British adventurer’s transatlantic boat which was abandoned in a hurricane some 400 miles west of Portugal. In what was their first call out of 2016, the volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to go the assistance…
#MarineNotice - The first Marine Notice of 2016 from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is deploying 10 Ocean Bottom Seismometers for a period of seven months off the…
#RNLI - Lough Ree RNLI received their first callout of 2016 on Sunday 3 January when a man living aboard a barge was marooned by a strong river current on the River Shannon in Athlone. The barge is moored below…
#RNLI - Skerries RNLI responded to their first callout of 2016 yesterday morning (Saturday 2 January) as they launched to reports of swimmer in difficulty off Rush. Pagers sounded shortly before 10am after Dublin Coast Guard received reports that a…

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.