Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Arklow Lifeboat's Sunday Afternoon Launch To Fishing Vessel
#RNLI - Arklow's RNLI lifeboat Ger Tigchleaar was launched within minutes in response to a call for help from a local fishing vessel yesterday afternoon (Sunday 8 March). The vessel had suffered engine failure and was without navigation ability approximately…
Boat Safety – How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
#carbonmonoxide – There have been a number of fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning in recent years on leisure and working craft. Gas Networks Ireland say follow these simple steps to protect yourself and others on your vessel from the "silent killer":…
Deployment of Data Buoys and Acoustic Doppler Profilers (ADP), North Co. Dublin
#databuoy – The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been advised that Techworks Marine Ltd., will deploy four moored Marine Data Buoys to gather scientific data on marine mammals. The buoys will be deployed in the Irish Sea at Portmarnock and…
Newcastle Lifeboat Men Receive RNLI Awards for Service to Saving Lives at Sea
#rnli – Two long-serving Newcastle RNLI volunteers have received awards from the charity for their tireless work and dedication to saving lives at sea. Deputy Launching Authority Joe McClelland and All Weather lifeboat crewmember William Wilson were presented with the…
National Lifeguard Training Centre Opens In Tramore
#WaterSafety - Tomorrow (Monday 9 March) sees the opening of the new National Lifeguard Training Centre in Tramore, Co Waterford, as The Irish Times reports. The €500,000 inter-agency initiative will have a focus on training people for the growing discipline…
RNLI Advises Public To Stay Away From Cliff Edges On NI's North Coast
#WaterSafety - The RNLI is advising anyone planning on visiting its lifeguarded beaches on the North Coast to stay well away from dangerous cliff edges that have been impacted by recent weather conditions. Winter storms have dramatically changed the profile…
Volunteers' Time Wasted On Bray Head Hoax Call
#Coastguard - Search and rescue volunteers have expressed their frustration over a hoax call to Bray Head this past Monday night (2 March). As the Irish Independent reports, Greystones Coast Guard responded to a report that an elderly man had…
No Time To Lose As Clogherhead Trawler Sunk Without Trace
#RNLI - RNLI Magazine revisits the fateful day last summer off Co Louth when a fishing trawler went under in a matter of minutes. Despite the clear day and calm seas, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, the razor clam boat…
Clifden Lifeboat Tows Fishing Vessel To Safety Off Connemara
#RNLI - Clifden RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was launched on Friday last (20 February) to go to the aid of a fishing boat in difficulty off the Connemara coast. The alarm was raised around 11.30am when the 35ft fishing vessel reported…
Quick-Thinking Gardaí Rescue Driver From Car In Water At Howth
#Rescue - Gardaí were swift on the scene in Howth Harbour to rescue a man whose car entered the water in the early hours of Wednesday morning (25 February). As the Irish Examiner reports, the driver had managed to get…
84% of Lifejackets Brought to RNLI at Angling Show Found to Have Safety Issues
#lifejackets – At the recent (21 and 22 Feb 2015) Angling Ireland Show 2015, 367 anglers from all over Ireland visited the RNLI stand for lifesaving tips and sea safety advice, and to avail of the free lifejacket clinic. Out…
Second Russian Fishing Vessel In A Week Requires Medevac
#Rescue - Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 was dispatched yesterday morning (18 February) for a medevac of an injured fisherman. As the Irish Independent reports, the casualty was on a Russian fishing vessel some 200 miles off the southwest…
Wicklow Lifeboat In Lunchtime Callout To Fishing Vessel
#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Annie Blaker launched just before 1pm yesterday (Sunday 15 February) to assist a fishing vessel with mechanical problems north of the harbour. The skipper of the fishing vessel, which was approaching Wicklow, made contact…
Beach Safety Programmes For Northern Ireland Schools
#WaterSafety - The RNLI is encouraging primary schools in Northern Ireland to sign up for two of its beach safety education programmes when they get under way next month. Running from March to June, Meet the Lifeguards and Hit the…
Fishing Boat Skipper Saves Crew With Swift Action
#holyhead – Holyhead Coastguard Operations Centre coordinated the rescue of three fishermen last night after their vessel started taking on water at the start of its fishing trip. At 22.22 yesterday the fishing vessel 'Cesca' reported that it was on…
Series Of Safety Breaches Led To Loss Of Three Lives In Tramore Bay Capsize - MCIB
#MCIB - Lack of adherence to water safety procedures led to the drowning of three fishermen off Waterford in the summer of 2013, according to marine investigators. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, three bodies were recovered from the waters of…

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.