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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Fethard RNLI's D-Class lifeboat Naomh Dubhán
Volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI were requested to launch their lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard yesterday afternoon (Saturday 17 July) at 5.34 pm, to assist a person in difficulties on their jet ski. The crew launched the D-Class…
The 11-metre yacht had machinery failure and was towed to Dingle Marina
Valentia RNLI volunteers launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday (Saturday 17 July) to assist an 11-metre yacht with two people onboard, which required assistance. At 4.46 pm the Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI’s volunteer crew to launch the all-weather lifeboat…
Ballycotton RNLI were involved in a multi agency search for a report of a boat on fire
Yesterday evening (Friday 16 June) at 9.08 pm Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather Trent class lifeboat, the Austin Lidbury was tasked by Valentia Coast Guard to report a boat on fire in the bay between Knockadoon and Ballycotton island. Conditions were very…
File image of Lough Derg RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer
A family of four were aided by Lough Derg RNLI after their cruiser ran aground on a shoal south of the Corragheen Islands. The inshore lifeboat Jean Spicer launched shortly after 6pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 July) and was on scene…
The lifeboat located the stranded man on the Calf Rock and immediately launched a small dinghy to retrieve him. The lifeboat then proceeded west to the Bull Rock and again launched its Y boat to retrieve the man’s dog. Both man and dog were reunited on board the lifeboat.
Castletownbere RNLI were launched this morning (Wednesday 14th July 2021) just before 9.00 a.m. to go to the immediate assistance of a kayaker who had become stranded yesterday evening on the Calf Rock and then went on to rescue his…
Mud Rescue in Belfast Lough
Several rescue teams went to the aid of a man trapped in mud near Holywood on the south coast of Belfast Lough this morning. (13th July). The tide was flooding, and Mud Rescue Technicians worked rapidly to free the man,…
Water Safety Ireland logo
Water Safety Ireland is recruiting for an Education Officer to join the team based in Galway, though the role is currently remote due to COVID-19. The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of areas, including assisting with the…
Lough Ree RNLI arrive to assist the grounded cruiser west of Beam Island
Lough Ree RNLI’s volunteer crew launched this afternoon (Monday 12 July) to assist a lake cruiser with six people onboard which had run aground west of Beam Island, close to the Co Roscommon shoreline. Under helm Kieran Sloyan and with…
Dublin Port’s new Shipping Lanes Map
Dublin Port Company (DPC) has today launched a new water safety awareness campaign supported by Water Safety Ireland (WSI) to help promote the safe, responsible use of Dublin Bay for leisure and recreation this summer. Both Dublin Port Company and…
Youghal RNLI's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
Youghal RNLI was tasked today (Sunday 11 July) by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to reports of a kayaker having capsized and in difficulty in the water 300 metres from the shore at Knockadoon. The Volunteer crew, under the Helm…
Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat returning to station with the dog owner and his pet
Wicklow RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched shortly after 3pm yesterday afternoon (Saturday 10 July) following a report of a man climbing down a cliff to rescue his dog. The lifeboat volunteers located the man and his dog five minutes later near…
Crew on Fethard's D-Class lifeboat lay a wreath
Fethard RNLI commemorated an important anniversary on Saturday (10 July 2021). It was 25 years to the exact day (10 July 1996) that the RNLI re-established a lifeboat station at Fethard-On-Sea, following an absence of 82 years. The milestone was…
The lifeboat crew motored the yacht to a safe berth in Castletownbere harbour
Castletownbere RNLI was launched yesterday evening (Saturday 10th July 2021) just after 7.20 pm to go to the immediate assistance of a lone sailor who had become injured on his yacht off Bere Island in West Cork Castletownbere lifeboat was…
”Baltimore
Baltimore RNLI’s volunteer crew were called out to reports of a boat on fire off Sherkin Island in West Cork yesterday afternoon (Saturday 10 July). Under coxswain Aidan Bushe, the all-weather lifeboat launched at 3.34pm following a request from the…
Union Hall RNLI's  Atlantic 85 Lifeboat; Christine and Raymond Fielding
The Union Hall  RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Christine and Raymond Fielding, by the Irish Coast Guard at 3.50pm today (Friday 9th July) to reports of two people in difficulty in the small sound, an…
The new full-time Aran Islands RNLI mechanic, Mairtín Eoin Coyne
Aran Islands RNLI has welcomed a new full-time mechanic to the station. Mairtín Eoin Coyne takes over from Johnny Mulkerrin, who retired after 35 years last month. Mairtín Eoin, an Aran Islander from birth, is no stranger to the station…

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.