The safety equipment carried on fishing vessel 'Islander' proved its worth this evening after it was used to alert rescue services after the vessel capsized in rough weather.

At 4.40pm Belfast Coastguard were notified through MRCC Clyde that Falmouth Coastguard had received an EPIRB from the fishing vessel 'Islander' that was believed to be fishing in their area. Just afterwards Belfast Coastguard received reports of a flare and wreckage just of Ardglass, Northern Ireland.

Fishing vessel 'Golden Shore' went to investigate and found the Islander's two crew in a life raft. They were wet, shocked but unharmed.

Ian Murdock Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager said:
"Despite the dramatic and rapid loss of their vessel this crew were prepared for this eventuality. They were able to raise the alarm quickly and are tonight safe and well.

"This swift resolution of what could have been a life ending incident is the reason that we recommend that all vessels are fitted with an EPIRB which can automatically send a distress alert and, give an accurate position of your vessel to the Coastguard with through a satellite based rescue system

A yacht that was reported missing in the Atlantic between Bermuda and Ireland sailed safely into port in Co Kerry this afternoon.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Golden Eagle has been at the centre of an air and sea search operation since failing to arrive at its expected destination of Crookhaven in Co Cork on 15 September.

The yacht - crewed by a 69-year-old Norwegian and a 60-year-old New Zealander - had been out of radio contact since leaving Bermuda in mid August.

But a spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard has since revealed that the men intentionally turned off their handheld VHF radio to save battery power until they were close to port.

The boat dropped anchor in Portmagee, Co Kerry at 3pm this afternoon, reporting only minor damage to its sails and rigging due to adverse weather which slowed their progress.

More from RTE here.

Ireland is bidding to bring the proposed Europe-wide coastguard secretariat to Dublin, The Irish Times reports.

Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds is in charge of setting up the new office as chair of the EU Heads of Coast Guard network, many functions of which it is expected to assume.

The secretariat - which will meet in Dublin while the particulars of its compositoon are worked out - aims to share search and rescue resources across the EU, as well as assist in pollution response, patrolling of fisheries and maritime security.

One of Reynolds' main tasks is to "draw up procedures for improved co-operation between European coast guards" and those of non-EU members Norway, Iceland and Russia.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

The US Coast Guard has called off the search for an Irishman who was swept out to sea in Maine last Friday.

The Irish Independent named the man as Thomas Clarke, originally from Kilnaleck in Co Cavan.

The 32-year-old was reportedly knocked into the water on Friday afternoon by a huge wave near Monhegan Island, 12 miles off the Maine coast.

He was apparently attemping to take pictures of the waves swollen by the passing Hurricane Katia when he was struck and pulled out in a riptide.

Four friends tried to rescue him to no avail, with one needing to be rescued from rocks by helicopter.

According to WABI TV, rescue crews spent nearly two days scouring 600 miles of coastline before calling off the search on Saturday night.

Clarke had been in the area with friends sightseeing before a wedding. A long time resident of the US, he had returned more than a year ago after several years in Ireland.

The Irish Independent has more on the story HERE.

The UK Coastguard is warning coastal visitors to check tide times after multiple incidents around the country where people have been cut off by the tide.

Coastguard coordination centres have dealt with at least eight different incidents this afternoon involving a total of 16 people who have become cut off by incoming tides at different places around the coast.

In Pembrokeshire, six people were rescued from the water by Little Haven RNLI lifeboat at Setlands Beach near Broad Haven and at St Dogmaels the Cardigan RNLI inshore lifeboat recovered a woman who was stuck thigh deep in mud.

Humber Coastguard was alerted to two people and their dogs trapped by a fast rising tide near Bridlington.  They were unsure of their location and as rescue units began searching for them, the couple were fortunately spotted by Hornsea Rescue lifeboat who recovered them from the water in a distressed condition.

Mike Bill, Coastguard Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard says,

"Coastguards are warning people at the coast to check tide times to ensure you are not caught out.  Talk about how the tides work with your family and make sure everyone understands how tides work and what the dangers are when walking at the coast."

The Irish Coast Guard is currently involved in its fourth medical evacuation this week (and it's second in 24hrs) as it evacuates an injured crew member from a fishing vessel off the Irish coast. The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter this afternoon evacuated a crew member from a UK registered fishing vessel the 'Achieve' which was located 110 miles south west of the Blasket Islands. The casualty (a crew member) from this vessel was seriously injured and is being transferred to Tralee General Hospital by the Coast Guard helicopter.

The incident was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre of the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia which tasked the Shannon-based helicopter this morning to travel with an A&E Registrar from Cork University Hospital to treat the injured crew member en-route. Crews on these helicopter are also trained to paramedic standard. The helicopter arrived on scene at 14:37pm this afternoon and crew and medical personnel administered treatment to the casualty. The helicopter travelled onward to Tralee Regional Hospital where it arrived at approximately 16:30pm this afternoon. The Air Corps Casa aircraft provided top-cover for the helicopter during this incident.

Belfast Coastguard was able to send rescue services straight to the scene of a sinking leisure vessel tonight although the crew couldn't make radio contact.

The digital selective calling (DSC) alert requesting immediate assistance was received at just after 8.15pm. Using AIS and DSC the vessel was located just off Runabay Head and identified as the Katoni. RNLI lifeboats from Redbay and Larne were sent to the scene whilst the police helicopter flew overhead. Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to the scene to assist.

The area was thoroughly searched and no vessel was found. At just after 9.30pm a 999 call came in from one of the three crew to say although the vessel had been taking on water they had made it safely to shore.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager Alan Pritchard said;

"The crew of this vessel was extremely well prepared. They were wearing lifejackets, had a DSC radio and knew how to use it. Because of this they were able to call for immediate assistance and although they couldn't actually talk to us we knew where they were and that they needed help. They also had the presence of mind to let us know that they had reached the shore safely so we were able to call off the search."

As the UK Bank holiday approaches the UK coastguard has issed a warning to check tides and stay safe. With the school holidays well underway and the busy bank holiday weekend around the corner, coastguards and the Shipping Minister are coming together to remind families, children and visitors of the importance of checking weather and tide times to stay safe whilst at the beach and along the coast.

Already this summer coastguards have dealt with many beach-related incidents, with a particularly high number of people being caught out by the tide and needing to be rescued after becoming stranded.  Since 1st July, almost 150 such rescues have been carried out around the UK coast, with around 80% involving children.

This latest advice is part of an ongoing programme by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to remind those who visit our coast to have a great time and remain safe. So before you go check out the weather, sea conditions and the tide times (you can find this information on the web or many beaches display it at their entrance).  That way you can enjoy the sea safely.

In addition to checking the tide times, remember that inflatable boats and toys can be great fun, but they are more suitable for use in swimming pools than at the beach.  If you do use one at the beach, make sure that it is tethered to an adult who is in the sea with you and never use it if there is an offshore wind.  Inflatable boats and toys can easily be blown off shore, then overturn. If you are blown out to sea on an inflatable boat or toy wave your arms in the air and shout for help. If you are out of your depth, don't attempt to swim back to shore.

Be careful around cliffs and rocks – they can be slippery and crumbly. Don't climb them unless you are properly kitted out. And don't attempt to rescue people or dogs from cliffs – call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Coastguards are also encouraging parents, grandparents and other adults to ensure that children are properly supervised on the coast. We deal with numerous cases of lost children every year and it can be very distressing for children and adults alike. Some beaches provide beach band schemes which help to re-unite children with their families if they become separated, so take advantage of these schemes if appropriate.

Try to go to a lifeguarded beach if you can and stay within the flagged area.

If you notice that someone is in difficulty, either alert the lifeguard if one is available or call the Coastguard on 999.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said:

"As an island nation, enjoying a seaside holiday is a great British tradition.  The UK has some of the finest coastline in the world, and I want everyone to be able to enjoy it safely.  Already this year we have seen how something as simple as familiarising yourself with the tide times before you set out can make all the difference.  That is why I am encouraging anyone thinking of heading for the coast to take a few sensible precautions so they return home safely and with fond memories of a great day out.    I would also like to pay tribute to our coastguard staff and volunteers who do such a great job to keep those who use our coastline as safe as possible."

A US entrant in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race capsizsed near Fastnet Rock off the Cork coast earlier this evening, The Irish Times reports.

Further to our previous report, The Irish Times notes that 22 people were on board the Rambler 100, which overturned in force-five winds at around 6.30pm this evening.

The Department of Transport confirmed that all crew have been accounted for, with 16 sitting in the hull of the boat and the remainer on life rafts. 

Rambler 100 rounds the Fastnet Rock. Photo: Daniel Forster/Rolex

RNLI Baltimore's lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard are currently attending. Coastguard helicopters have also been dispatched, with naval vessel LE Clara giving assistance. The rescue effort has been hampered by misty conditions in the area this evening.

Baltimore lifeboat at the scene of the capsized Rambler 100. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

Rambler 100 recently set a new world record for the almost 3,000-nautical mile transatlantic crossing from Newport, Rhode Island to Lizard Point in Cornwall with a time of 6 days, 22 hours, 8 minutes and 2 seconds.

In other Fastnet action, there was disaster in IRC Z this afternoon for co-skippers Karl Kwok and Jim Swartz’s Farr 80 Beau Geste (HKG).

The yacht suffered a ‘structural problem’ while mid-away across the Celtic Sea en route to the Rock. She has since turned her bow back towards Land’s End. 

Yesterday there was another high profile retirement when Johnny Vincent’s TP52 Pace (GBR) returned to her berth in the Hamble with mast problems. 

In the Class 40s John Harris’ GryphonSolo2 (USA) has also pulled out, retiring to Dartmouth with sail damage.

Today Minister Simon Coveney TD has welcomed the provision of €1.5millon funding for a new Coast Guard Station in Crosshaven.

'Following continuing contact with the OPW, it has been confirmed to me that a new contract for the construction of the new station has been awarded and work is to start very soon. This tender process has been ongoing for more than a year and I am delighted that it has finally been awarded and work to commence shortly.'

Marine Minister Simon Coveney TD with Victor Shine Deputy Area Officer Crosshaven Coast Guard Unit, Vincent Farr Area Officer and James Furlong Unit Member looking over the plans for the new €1.5 Million Coast Guard Station at Crosshaven, Co. Cork. The contract has been awarded to Blarney firm Cumnor Constuction Ltd and work will commence shortly. Photos Billy macGill

'Those who work at Crosshaven Coast Guard are to be commended for their commitment and dedication to the local community in a voluntary capacity. We must now ensure that they are working in a station that reflect this loyalty and high standard of service.'

The contract has been awarded to Cumnor Construction Ltd. of Blarney on August 3rd. Work on the site is expected to commence very shortly.