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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Two Rescued from Yacht in Galway Bay After Engine Failure
#RESCUE - The Galway Independent reports that two men were rescued by the Galway RNLI lifeboat on Sunday when their boat got into difficulties in Galway Bay. The yacht was crossing from Barna to Spiddal when it suffered and engine…
Marine Notice: Well Inspections on Corrib Gas Field in May
#MARINE WARNING - Further to the notice earlier this week of a seismic survey over the Corrib Gas Field, the latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises of well inspections in the area next…
Howth Rescues Man in Difficulty at Pormarnock
#RESCUE – Howth RNLI's All-Weather Lifeboat and Inshore Lifeboat launched yesterday to assist a person in the water who had got into difficulty on Portmarnock Beach in north Dublin. The Lifeboat Crews launched and the inshore lifeboat was on scene…
Body Found in Search for Missing Currach Fisherman in Galway
#SEARCH AND RESCUE - A body was recovered yesterday during the search for a 43-year-old fisherman missing off the Galway coast, as RTÉ News reports. The body was discovered near the shoreline of St Macdara’s island off Carna, some distance…
Major Search Under Way for Missing Fisherman Off Galway Coast
#SEARCH AND RESCUE - The Irish Times reports of a major air and sea search and rescue operation for a 43-year-old fisherman missing off the Galway coast. Irish Coast Guard helicopters based at Sligo and Shannon joined the overight search…
Marine Notice: Seismic Survey Over Corrib Gas Field from June-September 2012
#MARINE WARNING - Shell E&P Ireland Limited is scheduled to carry out a 3D seismic survey off the west coast of Ireland over the Corrib Gas Field. The planned start date of the survey is 1 June 2012 and, weather…
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboats Rescue Eleven
#RNLI – Both lifeboats stationed at Dun Laoghaire were called into service three times on Saturday afternoon for a variety of incidents in which eleven people were assisted. Following a 999 call, the Irish Coastguard's Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC)…
Marine Notice: Further East-West Interconnector Works in Irish Sea
#MARINE WARNING - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises on cable laying operations in the Irish Sea commencing today 22 April. Following preliminary work on the East-West Interconnector power cable earlier this…
Lifeboat Crews Launch 'MAYDAY' Campaign
#LIFEBOAT – Volunteer lifeboat crew took to Dublin's Grafton Street to launch the RNLI's MAYDAY campaign in Ireland, which is proudly supported by John West. The charity is asking the public to get behind its lifeboat crews in Ireland by…
Antrim Lifeboat in Dramatic Cliff Rescue
#RESCUE – Lifeboat crew with Red Bay RNLI in County Antrim were involved in a dramatic cliff rescue last night (Saturday 14 April 2012) when a man out walking on Fair Head in Antrim lost his footing, falling thirty feet…
Flares Alert Bundoran Lifeboat To Broken Down Pleasure Craft
#BUNDORAN RESCUE  – Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat were this evening, Saturday 14 April, called to aid a small pleasure craft, following a mayday call to Malin Head Coast Guard. The 18 foot craft, with two persons on board who were both…
Second Cruiser in a Week Runs Aground in Lough Erne
#RESCUE - Four people were rescued on Lough Erne yesterday after their motor cruiser ran aground in the second such incident in a week, the Belfast Telegraph reports. All on board were retrieved by RNLI lifeboat from the 29ft cruiser,…
Operation Underway to Remove Fuel from Grounded Vessel
#COAST GUARD – The operation to remove the remaining 24,000 litres of fuel oil, along with oily water and other hazardous materials from the grounded vessel 'Carrier' was completed yesterday evening. The vessel, which ran aground on 4 April near…
999 Calls Alert Coastguard to People Cut off By Tide
#COASTGUARD – Two people, along with their two dogs, had to be rescued after they became cut off by the tide whilst out walking at Far Arnside near North Morecambe. At 11.10 this morning, Liverpool Coastguard received a flurry of…
Kilmore Quay RNLI Bids Farewell to Second Mechanic
Volunteer crew and fundraisers with Kilmore Quay RNLI turned out in force recently to bid farewell to second mechanic Pat Power on his retirement from the lifeboat crew.  Pat took to sea for his final exercise which involved the Aer…
County Down Coast Guard is Recognised for Rescue
Coastguard Rescue Officer Keith Campbell has been recognised for his part in the rescue of four people trapped in water on an incoming tide in Dundrum Bay, County Down on 9 July 2011. Four teenagers found themselves cut off by…

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.