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Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Crew Connection — President Catherine Connolly meets Achill Island RNLI volunteers aboard the station's Trent-class lifeboat during celebrations marking 30 years of lifesaving service. The President toured the vessel and met crew members past and present who have supported search and rescue operations off the Mayo coast.
Achill Island RNLI marked a major milestone on Saturday as President of Ireland Catherine Connolly unveiled a commemorative plaque celebrating the station's 30th anniversary. The President visited the Co Mayo lifeboat station to recognise three decades of volunteer-led search-and-rescue service…
File image of Castletownbere RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Castletownbere RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched on Saturday afternoon (6 June) to a RIB with an engine fire just off Ardnakinna Lighthouse in West Cork. The crew of the Annette Hutton were paged shortly before 2pm and the lifeboat launched minutes…
Lifeline Launch — Dún Laoghaire RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Anna Livia heads to sea during a busy period for volunteers, who responded to multiple callouts and rescues along the Dublin coast.
Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers rescued six people during two incidents off the Dublin coast on Friday afternoon. The station's all-weather lifeboat, Anna Livia, was first launched at 3.35 pm to assist two adults and a child aboard a four-metre RIB…
Cut And Check — Helly Hansen has issued destruction instructions for recalled buoyancy aids and lifejackets affected by manufacturing defects. Customers are advised to stop using affected products immediately and seek a refund or credit.
A select number of buoyancy aids made by Helly Hansen have been recalled by the company on safety grounds. A recall issue notice by Helly Hansen Ireland says that due to “product manufacturing failures”, the listed buoyancy aids do not…
Pirates Ahoy — Costumed revellers take part in the Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival Pirate Parade, one of the most popular family attractions during the annual Sligo Bay RNLI fundraising event.
Sligo Bay RNLI’s Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival returns from 19 to 21 June, bringing three days of music, maritime heritage and community celebrations to the north-west coast. Now in its 16th year, the volunteer-led festival combines traditional sea shanties with…
Ahoy mateys! The Pirates Parade is one of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival each year
The Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival, hosted by Sligo Bay RNLI, returns from 19–21 June — sailing into its 16th year and bringing three days of music, entertainment and community celebration to the heart of the local area. Organised by lifeboat…
RNLI coastal trainer Mark Mitchell congratulates Tom Bell, who passed out as a launch authority
Bangor RNLI, on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland, has congratulated five of its volunteers who successful passed assessments at the station this week following a period of dedicated training in their station roles. Tom Bell passed out as a launch…
Rapid Response — Wicklow RNLI volunteers on their inshore lifeboat during a rescue callout after two people entered the water when a rowing boat capsized north of Wicklow Harbour.
Wicklow RNLI volunteers rescued two people from the water after their rowing boat capsized near Wicklow Harbour on Wednesday evening. The inshore lifeboat was launched at 6.42 pm following reports from a member of the public that two people were…
Lifeline Launch — Donaghadee RNLI's Trent class lifeboat Macquarie powers through rough seas during an exercise. The volunteer crew launched swiftly to rescue a man reported struggling in the water at Donaghadee Harbour.
Donaghadee RNLI volunteers rescued a man from the water in Donaghadee Harbour on Tuesday afternoon after reports he was struggling to stay afloat. The volunteer crew was paged at 3.46 pm on 2 June by HM Coastguard following a call…
Medal Moment — The Ballinskelligs Triathlon 2026 finisher’s medal is pictured with Skellig Michael in the background. Athletes who cross the finish line on Ballinskelligs Beach will earn this distinctive memento of a race set against one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal landscapes.
Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue will benefit from funds raised at the Ballinskelligs Triathlon in south Kerry next month. The event on June 13th involves a sprint and Olympic distance, and the local community hosting it is urging all sports enthusiasts to…
Still Going Strong — Helen Daniels, who celebrated her 100th birthday in March, remains an active RNLI volunteer after 70 years of service, helping to raise funds for lifesaving work at sea.
A 100-year-old RNLI volunteer with seven decades of service is encouraging others to get involved during Volunteers’ Week. Helen Daniels, who turned 100 on 26 March, began volunteering with the RNLI in 1956 at the age of 30. She joined…
Rescue Ready — Senior Crewman Colm Hillary of Rescue 116 briefs Kerry lifeguards beside the Irish Coast Guard helicopter during induction training at Ballyheigue, highlighting search and rescue procedures ahead of the summer season.
Forty-two Kerry lifeguards completed their annual induction at Ballyheigue Community Centre ahead of the busy summer bathing season. The training programme brought together lifeguards from across the county, with some already on duty at Kerry beaches over the Bank Holiday…
File image of Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat on the slipway
Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard on Wednesday (27 May) at 12.28pm to reports of two kayakers in difficulty just off Ramore Head. The lifeboat Ken Blair was launched at 12.40pm and arrived on scene…
Portaferry RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew depart Killyleagh Quay on Monday morning 25 May
Pagers sounded for Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer crew at 10.10am on NI Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) at the request of Belfast Coastguard after reports of a swimmer carried offshore by the tide close to Killyleagh, on the western shore of…
File image of Tramore RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat
Tramore RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 3.46pm on Saturday afternoon (30 May) to launch their D class lifeboat after a member of the public had witnessed some people thrown into the water from a jet ski near Tramore Pier.…
Brewing Support — Members of Mullaghdun Community Association present a £500 cheque raised at a community coffee morning to RNLI representative Fintan Timoney in support of RNLI lifesaving services on Lough Erne.
A coffee morning organised by Mullaghdun Community Association has raised £500 for RNLI lifesaving services on Lough Erne. The donation was presented by association chairperson Cecilia Feely and fellow committee members to Fintan Timoney of the Lough Erne RNLI Fundraising…

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.