Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
HM Coastguard’s drone, helicopter and aeroplane assets are pictured undertaking their first formation flight in Wales in 2021. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), as drones are formerly known, are being introduced into the public safety and search and rescue capabilities of the Irish Coast Guard, the Department of Transport said
A public consultation on policy for using drones has been initiated by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and junior minister Jack Chambers. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), as drones are formerly known, are being introduced into the public safety and search…
Tramore RNLI crew towed a broken-down pleasure boat to Tramore Pier after it broke down and drifted towards the beach
Tramore RNLI went to the aid of one person on a pleasure boat with engine failure last Thursday evening (18 January) in the Co Waterford crew’s first call-out of 2024. An emergency call received by the Marine Rescue Co-ordinating Centre…
Cocker Spaniel Charlie in the arms of RNLI volunteer Laura Jackson at Dun Laoghaire Harbour
Last Saturday, the Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued a Cocker Spaniel named Charlie from a rocky ledge inside the west wall at Dun Laoghaire harbour. Charlie, a three-year-old chocolate brown Cocker Spaniel, had wandered down the dangerously slippy harbour wall steps…
Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
Volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI in County Wexford were requested to launch their lifeboat yesterday morning (Friday 19 January) at 11.11 am to assist a broken down 24-foot fishing vessel. Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched, made their way…
File image of Dunmore East RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat braving stormy conditions at sea
As Ireland and the UK prepare for Storm Isha this weekend, the RNLI is asking those visiting the coast to be cautious of the dangers. Met Éireann and the Met Office have issued weather warnings ahead of Storm Isha’s arrival…
Carrybridge RNLI assisting four people onboard a broken down vessel on Lough Erne
At 5.32 pm on Sunday, 14 January, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on Upper Lough Erne was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess a vessel with four people on board, which had broken down 2 miles North of…
The RNLI lifeboat proceeded to tow the yacht to the nearest safe port at Ballyglass pier
Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor last night (Wednesday, 17 January) after their yacht got into difficulty in the North Atlantic Sea. The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist…
Irish Coast Guard helicopter hovers over the water near port
The new contractor to provide search and rescue services for the Irish Coast Guard has reached and agreement with the union representing air crew. As RTÉ News reports, the deal between Bristow Ireland and the union branches representing both coastguard…
Hooked On Swimmers present a cheque to Fethard RNLI
The Fethard RNLI fundraising committee members in County Wexford, along with some volunteers, gathered last week to receive a significant amount of funds raised by the Hooked On Swimming Group and two businesses with local links. In total, the group…
File image of kayak paddles
Police officers in Coleraine have been praised after their rescue of two kayakers from the River Bann in Northern Ireland earlier this week. Dog walkers noticed the kayakers had gotten into difficulty in the river at around 6.20pm on Tuesday…
The fascinating and often heart-warming story of Dublin Bay's lifeboats
The indefatigable maritime polymath Cormac Lowth is among the first back into presentation mode in 2024, with the fascinating and often heart-warming story of Dublin Bay's lifeboats told - and very well illustrated - in his renowned inimitable style. The…
Unmanned aircraft system testing means there will be flight restrictions in place off the Wicklow and Wexford coastlines
Flight restrictions will be in place off the Wicklow and Wexford coastlines from next weekend for “unmanned aircraft system testing”, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) says. However, Irish Coast Guard, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service aircraft on an operational mission and…
Bere Island in West Cork was without electrical power as a result of a fishing vessel accidentally coming into contact with a submarine cable
ESB Networks has appealed for vigilance at sea in relation to submarine cables after a fishing vessel cut power to West Cork’s Bere Island last week. ESB Networks restored power to some 280 affected islanders at 11 pm on Friday…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Boxing Day Cheque for the RNLI:  (from left to right) John Bell (RNLI Helm), John Montgomery (RNLI Community Engagement Officer), Jo Rennie (BYC), Taqiq Qutteineh (BYC Club Captain), Barbara Polly (BYC), Stephen Polly (BYC Rear Commodore Sailing)
Bangor RNLI on Belfast Lough received a donation of £2,500 from the members of Ballyholme Yacht Club this Christmas. The funds were raised during the festive period over a series of events hosted by the club. The Christmas Prize Draw…
Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury
In a daring rescue operation, a volunteer lifeboat crew from Ballycotton RNLI in County Cork saved the lives of three fishermen who were stranded on an 11m boat that had suffered difficulties and was disabled two and a half miles…
Helvick Head RNLI launched to rescue four people in a RIB off the Dungarvan coast
Four boaters in a RIB were rescued by Helvick Head RNLI in County Waterford on Sunday afternoon (7 January) after their boat encountered trouble off the coast of Dungarvan. The inshore lifeboat was launched into north-east Force 3-4 winds and calm…

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.