Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Irish Coast Guard Saved Nearly 380 Lives In 2019, Says First Report On New National SAR Plan
The Irish Coast Guard saved 379 lives and assisted more than 3,500 people during the course of 2019. The figures are included in the first annual report on Ireland’s National Search and Rescue Plan, which was published yesterday (Monday 21…
Baltimore RNLI crew prepare to launch
Baltimore RNLI was called out to provide a medical evacuation early yesterday afternoon (Monday, 21 September) from Sherkin Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 2.07 pm, following a request…
The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) caught fire in Bertraghboy Bay near Roundstone
Three divers were rescued by the RNLI Clifden lifeboat yesterday after their rigid inflatable boat (RIB) caught fire in Bertraghboy bay near Roundstone, Co Galway. Shortly before 3 pm yesterday (Monday, Sept 21st) Clifden RNLI launched their Shannon class all-weather…
Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat
A man has died after getting into difficulty while swimming of the cast near Youghal last Friday (18 September). Youghal RNLI was called to the scene at Caliso Bay in Co Waterford on Friday afternoon after the man was reported…
Corrib Mask Search & Rescue volunteers on a training day on Lough Corrib
A west of Ireland community search and rescue service says it is “devastated” after the theft of up to 13,000 euro of equipment from its Zodiac rescue craft. As Afloat reported earlier, a Yamaha engine and GPS plotter were stolen…
Lough Derg RNLI approach the cruiser aground
Lough Derg RNLI assisted four adults on a 30-ft cruiser aground at Skehanagh, on eastern, Tipperary shore, of Lough Derg behind Illaunmor. At 5.15 pm this afternoon, Sunday, September 20, as Lough Derg RNLI volunteers were arriving for a training…
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI arrive at the main beach
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI was requested to attend three separate incidents between Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime of the past weekend (19th/20th September 2020) Just after 3:30 pm on Saturday afternoon the crew was alerted to three people…
The RIB was found stripped of its outboard motor and GPS plotter
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue is appealing for any information after its newly acquired RIB was stripped of its motor and GPS equipment. The Zodiac boat, which was stored in the Cong area, was targeted some time between Thursday (17…
Baltimore all-weather lifeboat
Baltimore RNLI was called out twice in 14 hours to provide two separate medical evacuations from Cape Clear Island off the coast of Baltimore, West Cork. The first call out happened yesterday evening (Saturday 19 September). The volunteer lifeboat crew…
The dive support vessel Deep Discoverer will be in operation at the Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields next month
Diving operations will take place at the Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields early next month for decommissioning work on and around the subsea infrastructure. Kinsale Energy says the works — undertaken by the dive support vessel Deep Discoverer (callsign…
The new Arabic language water safety posters from the RNLI and Irish Refugee Council
The charity that saves lives at sea is reaching out to Ireland’s immigrant communities as part of a new water safety campaign. Arabic is the first language being used by the RNLI in its warnings over the dangers associated with…
Dun Laoghaire's inshore lifeboat at Blackrock
Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI was requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 5:57 pm this evening (Thursday 17 September) after a member of the public reported a swimmer who appeared to be in difficulty off Blackrock The inshore…
Damage to the bow of ‘Medi Mode’ sustained in the collision
Two airline pilots on board a yacht which collided with a tanker off Greystones in the Irish Sea last year have disputed criticism of their experience in a report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). The MCIB inquiry into…
Lough Neagh Rescue setting out for Coney Island on Saturday night
Seven people were rescued from two vessels that ran aground on Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland on Saturday night (12 September). Lifeboats and shore crew were quickly tasked by Belfast Coastguard to the scene at Coney Island, where the vessels…
Lough Derg RNLI carry out the first of two rescue of the lake
Two callouts for Lough Derg RNLI today – the first to two people on a 32ft cruiser aground by the Silver Islands on the Galway shore at the northern end of Lough Derg, and shortly after, a Mayday call to…
Two Civil Servants Step Down from Marine Casualty Investigation Board
Two civil servants have stepped down from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB), following a European Court of Justice ruling which found it lacked independence. As The Sunday Times reports today, Ireland is not appealing the recent EU court judgment,…

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.