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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Fenit Lifeboat
Fenit RNLI launched in gale force conditions during Storm Lorenzo this evening to search for a windsurfer reported missing off Brandon Bay in County Kerry. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 7.23 pm this…
The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat
Aran Islands RNLI carried out a medical evacuation this morning during Storm Lorenzo. The volunteer crew were asked to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat at 9.51am today at the request of the Irish Coast Guard. A lady on Inis…
Coastguard & RNLI Issue Storm Lorenzo Warning
The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI have issued a joint warning to the public as Storm Lorenzo approaches to remind people to pay particular attention to their personal safety while outdoors and along the coastline during this time. While…
Stand by for Storm Lorenzo
Water Safety Ireland is warning the public to take necessary precautions in advance of Storm Lorenzo and to exercise caution throughout its transit over our country and waters on Thursday and Friday. If you own a small craft make sure that…
Fethard's inshore D class lifeboat
Fethard RNLI rescued a man and his two dogs after they got cut off by the tide while out walking north of Creaden Head in County Waterford on Sunday evening (29 September). The inshore D class lifeboat was requested to…
Mobile Phones ‘Not Suitable Substitute’ For VHF Radio At Sea, Marine Notice Urges
Boaters and mariners have been reminded of the limitations of using mobile phones for emergency communication at sea. Marine Notice No 40 of 2019 emphasises that mobile phones “should not be considered as a suitable substitute” for marine VHF equipment,…
The hull of the FV Aisling Patrick washed ashore in western Scotland on 28 May 2018, from the MCIB report
New Marine Notices from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) remind skippers and crew of small fishing vessels of the requirements set out in the relevant Code of Practice, following the official maritime reports into two fatal incidents…
Rower ‘Shaken’ After Rescue From Strong Shannon Currents At Killaloe Bridge
BreakingNews.ie reports that a charity rower was left “shaken” after he was rescued from strong currents in the River Shannon at the Killaloe bridge. Killaloe Coast Guard Unit were tasked at 2.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 25 September) to the scene where…
The Kayak involved in the accident
An inquiry into the death of an experienced kayaker on a Kerry river last year has found that the lack of communication at the scene delayed call to the emergency services writes Lorna Siggins Brita Waters (36) from Baldoyle, Dublin,…
See the video of this rescue below
As Afloat reported last Friday, in very challenging weather conditions Clifden RNLI launched two lifeboats after the Irish Coast Guard requested them to go to the aid of a lone sailor who had gone ashore on Inishark Island. The full…
Lough Ree RNLI
At 9.15 am this morning Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard in Malin Head to come to the assistance of one person onboard a 70-foot motorboat which had taken on a lot of water overnight…
Deirdre King, Marketing Manager, Pavilions Shopping Centre and Ian Hunter, Centre Director, Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords, County Dublin presenting the RNLI with a cheque for €10,600. Representing the RNLI from Left to Right are Conor Walsh Divisional Maintenance Manager, Jan Doyle, Chairperson of Skerries RNLI Fundraising Branch, Skerries RNLI crewmember Steven Campion standing, and Skerries crewmembers Stephen Johnson and Paddy Dillon kneeling
The RNLI has been presented with a cheque for €10,600 from Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre following a successful charity partnership. The search and rescue charity which operates two lifeboat stations in North Dublin, at Howth and Skerries, raised funds throughout…
Crosshaven RNLI (above) rescued sailors from upturned boat
Crosshaven RNLI rescued two sailors this evening after their catamaran dinghy capsized East of the Spit Lighthouse within Cork Harbour. The Crew of Crosshaven RNLI received pagers at 5.35 pm and launched with James Fegan in command and Caoimhe Foster,…
The capsized currach off Skerries
Skerries RNLI launched to the rescue of a man and two teenagers in the water after their currach capsized off the north Co Dublin town yesterday evening (Saturday 21 September). Just after 5pm, Dublin Coast Guard picked up a Mayday…
Carrybridge RNLI exercise with the passenger vessel, Inishcruiser
On Thursday 19 September, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards held a towing, casualty care and mass evacuation exercise with the passenger vessel from Share Discovery Village, Inishcruiser. The exercise took place close to the Share Centre.…
The yacht washed up on Inishark
In very challenging weather conditions yesterday evening, Clifden RNLI launched two lifeboats after the Coast Guard requested them to go to the aid of a lone sailor who had gone ashore on Inishark Island. His 25-foot yacht had engine failure…

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.