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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
The RNLI relief fleet all-weather Shannon lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea departs Wicklow Harbour to rescue a fishing vessel with mechanical problems
Three fishermen were rescued by the Wicklow RNLI on Saturday afternoon (10th February) after their 12-metre vessel developed mechanical problems off the Wicklow coast. The Coast Guard requested the RNLI relief fleet all-weather Shannon lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea at 12.50pm,…
Ballycotton coxswain Patrick Sliney, Mrs Sliney and son William at an annual meeting in 1936
As the RNLI prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary on 4 March, the charity has brought some of its rich history to life with the release of a stunning collection of colourised images. From community events to candid snapshots, 11…
Gary Fyfe
Tributes have been paid to Red Bay RNLI helm Gary Fyfe after his sudden death on Thursday night (8 February). As the Belfast Telegraph reports, the 46-year-old died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in Cushendall, Co Antrim. His…
File image of Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat passing Arranmore Head
Just days after the Arranmore RNLI volunteer crew carried out a marathon rescue of a fishing crew in challenging weather conditions, they were again called out to assist with a medical evacuation from the island at 7pm on Thursday evening…
Arranmore RNLI towed a fishing vessel to safety in harsh weather conditions. The vessel faced swells of up to 5.5 metres and winds of 60kph, making the operation particularly challenging
Lifeboat crew from Arranmore RNLI finally got to their beds at 1.20 am this morning (Tuesday, 6 February) after spending over 26 hours at sea to bring a fishing vessel, with five people onboard, to safety. The Coast Guard requested…
The Tekever AR5 drone deploying its inflatable lifeboat payload in a safe location to aid the rescue of a person stranded in the water
A Portuguese drone company has confirmed the successful deployment of an inflatable lifeboat from one of its drones as part of an exercise with the Italian Coast Guard. According to Marine Industry News, the Tekever AR5 drone — which resembles…
Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury, tows the 12-metre boat that was disabled 23 miles southeast of Ballycotton lighthouse
Ballycotton RNLI, a team of volunteer lifeboat crew, rescued three fishermen on board a 12-metre boat that was disabled 23 miles southeast of Ballycotton lighthouse on the County Cork coast. The rescue happened during the early hours of Sunday morning.…
File image of Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Ahead of the first long weekend of 2024, celebrating St Brigid, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint water safety appeal asking people to stay safe when in, near or on the water. The…
A presentation to Roy Abrahamsson from Dunmore East RNLI crew and Irish Coast Guard Helicopter R117
Marking the end of an era, Roy Abrahamsson, Coxswain and Mechanic of Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat station, has embarked on a new venture in Sweden. Roy's distinguished 24-year tenure with the RNLI, 13 of which he served as Coxswain, has…
Pictured at the cheque presentation meeting of Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club members are from left, Jim McGrath, DMTC chairman, John Dunne, DMTC treasurer, Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew member Moselle Hogan and Michael Donohoe, Dun Laoghaire RNLI fundraising branch. Moselle and Michael are also water safety advisors with the station, part of their role being to provide education training around water safety.
Thanks to dedicated fundraising by members of the Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club (DMTC), Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI received a generous donation of €6,300 as a result of multiple events undertaken by DMTC members throughout 2023. Founded in 1971, DMTC is…
Arranmore RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat at sea in the background with a pod of dolphins in the foreground
The volunteer crew of Arranmore RNLI responded to a call by Malin Head Coast Guard at 6am on Wednesday morning (31 January) to four fishermen on a boat in difficulty at Inis Meain, off the coast of Bunbeg in Co…
Pwllheli Lifeboat Station and its all-weather lifeboat
Pwllheli RNLI has closed over “ongoing distrust and disharmony” between crew members at the North Wales lifeboat station. According to BBC News, a number of key personnel have also resigned from the station, prompting the RNLI to “reset operations”. “Until…
The incident occurred on board the 21 metre-long fishing vessel Aquila
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has recommended that the Minister for Transport should consider introducing regulations specific to the installation and operation of articulated hydraulic deck cranes on fishing vessels. The MCIB recommendation is one of a number issued…
Aran Islands and Galway RNLI crew, from left: Daniel O'Connell, Brian Niland, Billy Gillan, Declan Killilea, James Corballis, coxswain Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, Frankie Leonard, Paraic Gill, Caelan Cullen Quinn and mechanic Mairtín Eoin Coyne
Crews from the Aran Islands and Galway RNLI stations took part in a joint training exercise on inner Galway Bay this past Saturday (27 January). The training was an opportunity for the crews from the two flanking stations to work…
Lap the Lake poster
Cyclists will ‘Lap the Lake’ for the third year running to raise funds for Lough Derg RNLI on Saturday 11 May. With Lough Derg RNLI marking 20 years of lifeboat service on the lake in the same year that the…
Union Hall RNLI member Pamela Deasy
In the latest edition of 200 Voices, the RNLI podcast, Pamela Deasy has vivid memories of January 2012 the loss of five crew on a fishing trawler in Glandore Harbour and the subsequent establishment of a lifeboat station at Union…

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.